Thomas Cook has confirmed that Midlands Co-operative Society is to join the merger with the Co-operative Travel Group to become part of the UK’s largest travel agency chain.
The Midland Co-op’s 103 travel stores and other travel-related businesses will be included in the merger, giving the combined group around 1,300 shops.
As a result, Thomas Cook’s share of the merged business has been cut from 70% to 66.5%, The Co-operative Group has 30% and Midland Co-operative Society has 3.5%.
The deal remains subject to anti-trust clearance by the European Commission, which is anticipated in December.
By Linsey McNeill
