Thomas Cook, 29/22. Sandgate Road

Image: © John Baker Taken: 6 Oct 2019

On 9 October 2019, The Kent Messenger reported that more than 500 Thomas Cook stores across the country would be saved. Hays Travel will take on all 555 stores, including 13 in Kent, and will employ a large number of former employees of the travel company after it went into liquidation. The independent travel agent has already taken on 421 former Thomas Cook personnel and have further offers outstanding to former employees. David Chapman, Official Receiver, said: "I am pleased to announce we have reached an agreement with Hays Travel to acquire Thomas Cook’s entire UK retail estate, comprising 555 stores across the country. "This represents an important step in the liquidation process, as we seek to realise the company’s assets”. Hundreds of workers lost their jobs, including at stores in Ashford, Sittingbourne, Gillingham, Hythe, Maidstone, Canterbury, Folkestone, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Dartford, Sheerness, Gravesend, Ramsgate and Tunbridge Wells. Jim Tucker, Partner at KPMG and Joint Special Manager of Thomas Cook’s Retail division, said: "This is an extremely positive outcome, and we are delighted to have secured this agreement. It provides re-employment opportunities for a significant number of former Thomas Cook employees, and secures the future of retail sites up and down the UK high street. We are pleased to have achieved this in a short time frame and in the context of a complex liquidation process, which is testament to a lot of hard work from a number of parties https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent-business/county-news/travel-firm-buys-thomas-cook-213802/

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