Jobs at risk as 200 Thomas Cooks to close nationwide

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JOBS in Bromsgrove and Northfield could be at risk with the closure of nearly 200 Thomas Cook stores nationwide.

Although no specific stores have been announced so it is not known whether the High Street store will be affected, a total of 195 shops are expected to shut within the UK as part of a 90-day consultation on the future of the business.

Around 2,500 full time employees will be made redundant if the closures go ahead.

Chief executive officer Peter Fankhauser said: "It is never easy to make decisions that impact directly on our people, but we also owe it to our customers to shape the business effectively and ensure that, when they book their holiday with us, our administrative costs are as low as possible.

"As we improve and develop our online capabilities, maintaining a strong presence on the High Street is an important part of our omni-channel strategy. Even after these changes we will still have one of the largest retail networks in UK travel.

"It is essential that we operate with the right number of people as we move forward into the next era for our company, allowing us to meet the future needs of our customers more effectively.

"These proposals will mean a stronger Thomas Cook that continues to be a major employer in the UK dedicated to providing excellent holiday experiences to our 23 million customers. We are in consultation with our unions and employee representative bodies to minimise the impact of these changes and I am speaking personally to all employees today to provide information and support through this period of consultation."

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