Eight Co-op travel agency branches to close

Co-operative Travel, the retail travel division of Midcounties Co-operative, has announced plans to enter into an agreement with Central England Co-operative to transfer 16 branches to Co-operative Travel and re-open them by mid-August.

But sadly eight Central England travel branches will not be transfered and those shops will close. Staff are now under consultation.

The branches closing their doors are Bourne, Rushden, Scunthorpe, St Ives, Greart Barr, St Neots, Stirchley and Wisbech.

The Stirchley branch was one of six former Thomas Cook shops which joined the Co-operative last year following Cook’s collapse.

A spokesman for Central England Co-operative said: "The decision was not taken lightly and we would like to thank all staff for their commitment and dedication during their time with the society."

He added that a date for the proposed completion of transfers and closures has yet to be confirmed.

A separate statement from Midcounties said the transfer of the 16 branches was subject to consultation and is an example of the ‘wider co-operative movement working together to reduce costs, whilst continuing to offer co-operative solutions to members’ travel needs’.

Under the proposals, 78 staff will join Co-operative Travel.

Rad Sofronijevic, chief operating officer of Midcounties Co-operative’s travel division, said: "These have been extraordinary times for the whole travel sector, but with lockdown measures easing we’re well placed to grow from strength to strength.

"Travel is core to Midcounties’ long-term strategy and when we learned that Central England Co-operative was looking to emphasise its focus on other divisions and move away from travel, we wanted to take the opportunity to bring these branches under the Midcounties retail umbrella and further strengthen our offering.

"With our scale and expertise, we look forward to helping grow and nurture the former Central England Co-operative branches to ensure their success in the future."

The move brings Midcounties’ portfolio of Co-operative Travel shops to over 70.

A spokesperson for Central England Co-operative said: "Central England and Midcounties have a longstanding and positive relationship, with Central England recently joining Midcounties’ travel buying consortium following the demise of Thomas Cook. The coming together of the two businesses will enable the continuation of a Co-operative travel offer for our members and customers and the continued employment for a number of colleagues."

The majority of Midcounties’ existing Co-operative Travel branches have now re-opened, following lockdown, with the remaining opening on 13 July.

All new branches joining from Central England Co-operative will open by mid-August and will operate using a new customer appointment system that’s been implemented in all Midcounties’ Co-operative Travel since their re-opening.

Natalie Turner, head of branches for Co-operative Travel, said: "I am delighted that we will soon welcome these additional branches to our portfolio. The branches are well located and allow Midcounties’ Co-operative Travel to expand our presence across several new counties in England.

"We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues into the fold, helping them to navigate the new normal in travel and grow and succeed under Midcounties’ retail Co-operative Travel umbrella."

The 16 branches intended to transfer to Midcounties Co-operative are Allenton (Derbyshire), Atherstone (Warwickshire), Beccles & Lowestoft (Suffolk), Castle Donington, Glenfield, Ibstock & Whetstone (Leicestershire), Diss, Kings Lynn & Thetford (Norfolk), Erdington (West Midlands), Market Deeping (Lincolnshire), Oakham (Rutland), March & Peterborough (Cambridgeshire).