Hays Travel announces job losses of up to 878 after Spain quarantine restrictions

The Sunderland-based travel company said the Government's decision to advise against non-essential travel and reimpose quarantine requirements for holidays to Spain "triggered the cancellation of hundreds of thousands of holidays".

In a statement, owners John and Irene Hays said: "We are devastated that after all of our efforts and the huge investment we've made we now face losing some of our valued employees, through no fault of their own.

"Following the decision to ban travel to Spain and the changes in furlough conditions coming at the same time, we have had no choice.

"We are also devastated for everyone who may lose their job and we will do all we can in consultations to help them, as we focus on retaining as many people as possible and rebuilding consumer confidence through our renowned friendly and knowledgeable customer service."

It comes just days after the firm, which bought Thomas Cook late last year after its collapse, said it was looking to expand its homeworking team, looking to take on self-employed staff who had no previous experience of the industry, adding to the 200 consultants it employs on that basis.

In that announcement, made on Thursday, July 23, it also said it was continuing to recruit experienced travel agents and apprentices for roles in shops across the UK and at the head office in Keel Square in Sunderland.

It said it had retained the majority of its 3,000 retail staff working from home during lockdown and had now re-opened the majority of its 650 branches around the UK.

The firm has also introduced a comprehensive insurance package which covers Covid-19 and other pandemics as standard as it looked to support customers as they were able to book up for foreign travel again.

The company, launched by John 40 years ago as he set up a desk in his mother’s shop in Church Street in Seaham, has previously said it was looking to bounce back from the coronavirus crisis with refund guarantees and UK breaks.

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Sunderland Echo website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.