Hundreds of jobs go as Thomas Cook pulls out of Bradford

The firm said it would close its call centre in the city’s Godwin Street by next March.

537 people are employed at the base, with another 113 in nearby Birkenshaw, where 69 new positions are being created. Another 244 roles are being created elsewhere in the UK, Thomas Cook said.

Chief executive office Ian Ailles said, “Thomas Cook is one of the largest employers in the travel industry, with 19,000 people working across the UK business. As part of the previously announced UK turnaround, we have regrettably today advised colleagues in our Bradford office that we’re proposing to close it by March next year, relocating some roles to our other UK sites in Birkenshaw, Peterborough and Falkirk.”

He added: “We looked at several options as part of our location strategy review and today’s proposal is considered to be the most effective.”

The tour operator secured approval last month for the sale and leaseback of part of its aircraft fleet and the disposal of five Spanish hotels, without which it warned it could collapse.

The group has posted losses of £262.7 million for last winter, and last month unveiled Harriet Green, former boss of the Leeds-based electrocomponents distributor Premier Farnell, to lead its turnaround strategy.

The company was plunged into crisis in November after it went back to its lenders to ask for an additional £100 million lifeline, sparking fears of a collapse.

It says it is now hopeful that it has a platform for recovery, focusing on fewer and better-quality hotels and a drive for more online bookings.

For Bradford, today’s announcement will rekindle memories of the failure of another holiday firm, which had its base in the city. Intasun collapsed in 1991 with the loss of more than 200 staff.

The leader of the city council, Councillor David Green said: “We are extremely disappointed that the company has had no discussion with the council prior to making the decision to see if we could help with a continued operation in Bradford.

“We will be seeking an urgent meeting with the company and our partners to discuss how we can best help the employees who are losing their jobs to find alternative employment.”