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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Thomas Cook to close 150 stores | Thomas Cook to close 150 stores |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| Travel company Thomas Cook has said it will close 150 stores and six offices, in a move that could affect as many as 2,800 jobs, or about 15% of its staff. | Travel company Thomas Cook has said it will close 150 stores and six offices, in a move that could affect as many as 2,800 jobs, or about 15% of its staff. |
| The company recently completed a £2.8bn merger with rival MyTravel, saying the deal would help the firms cut costs. | The company recently completed a £2.8bn merger with rival MyTravel, saying the deal would help the firms cut costs. |
| Sites in Rochdale, Birmingham, Manchester, Denton and Helmshore are among those set to close. | Sites in Rochdale, Birmingham, Manchester, Denton and Helmshore are among those set to close. |
| Thomas Cook said that it would look to find jobs elsewhere in the firm "where possible" for the affected workers. | Thomas Cook said that it would look to find jobs elsewhere in the firm "where possible" for the affected workers. |
| "As many as possible of those whose roles are potentially affected by today's news will be offered the opportunity for redeployment within the business," said Manny Fontenla-Novoa, the company's joint chief executive. | "As many as possible of those whose roles are potentially affected by today's news will be offered the opportunity for redeployment within the business," said Manny Fontenla-Novoa, the company's joint chief executive. |
| "We will do everything we can to support those employees who are affected through the next few months." | "We will do everything we can to support those employees who are affected through the next few months." |
| Merger | |
| The merger between Thomas Cook and MyTravel has created Europe's second-largest travel company. | |
| Thomas Cook said the closures would help the newly-merged companies to cut about £95m in costs. | Thomas Cook said the closures would help the newly-merged companies to cut about £95m in costs. |
| The newly-formed company is called Thomas Cook Group and is based in Peterborough, with a corporate headquarters in London. | The newly-formed company is called Thomas Cook Group and is based in Peterborough, with a corporate headquarters in London. |
| It is 52%-owned by German retail chain KarstadtQuelle, which was the parent of Thomas Cook, and 48%-owned by the shareholders of MyTravel. | It is 52%-owned by German retail chain KarstadtQuelle, which was the parent of Thomas Cook, and 48%-owned by the shareholders of MyTravel. |
| Following the closures, Thomas Cook will be left with 800 stores. | Following the closures, Thomas Cook will be left with 800 stores. |