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Police investigate mysterious closure of Cheshire travel agency
Police are investigating a Cheshire travel agent over allegations customers have been swindled out of thousands of pounds.
Independent travel agency Nantwich Travel has apparently closed with no advance notice and the owner, David Shearer, has not been in touch with customers about their bookings.
Local newspaper the Crewe Chronicle said it had spoken to several customers concerned that they had booked holidays with the travel agent but had received no confirmation or flight tickets.
One group claimed to have handed over £18,000 in cash.
Cheshire Police said it had received calls from several customers and it was investigating whether there had been any criminal offence.
An ABTA spokeswoman said the travel agency had resigned its ABTA membership two years ago and has been a member of the Global Travel Group since April this year.
She added: "Customers should in the first instance contact their tour operator to confirm the status of their booking and, if they require any further help, Global on 01244 521202."
Global said it was supporting police with their enquiries, but aside from saying it was ‘saddened to learn of any possible misconduct’ it said it couldn’t comment further on the police inquiry.
"We urge anyone who is concerned about a holiday booking, or any payment they made to Nantwich Travel, to contact the police directly," added the spokeswoman.
She said Global was investigating any possible bookings made with Nantwich and contacting customers directly.
"Until we understand more we cannot speculate or comment further," she added.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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