Co-op to close Travelmaker

All existing bookings will be honoured, but no new ones will be taken from Friday 18 December.

'Having conducted a strategic review of our Co-operative Travelmaker business and given the negative and protracted impact that Covid-19 has had on the travel industry globally, we have made the difficult decision to exit our travel business and subsequently the Co-op Travelmaker will close on Sunday 31st January 2021,' said Mark Cox, chief executive of The Channel Islands Co-operative Society.

'We have made every possible attempt to avoid this closure, however we are unable to sustain the level of losses incurred by this strand of the Society.

'All affected colleagues in Jersey and Guernsey have been told and are currently being supported. They have been given the option of redeployment within other areas of the Co-op business, or the option of redundancy. We are in advanced discussions about a possible takeover of a Jersey travel branch and are supporting other colleagues in potentially setting themselves up as personal travel agents under Midcounties Co-operative Travel. Further details on this will be provided as soon as they are progressed and agreed.'

All existing bookings are held by the principal tour operator and remain financially protected through ABTA bonding.

'We will continue to assist customers with any confirmed travel bookings and provide the necessary support for any recently cancelled holidays due to Covid-19 that are still awaiting a refund from the tour operator or travel provider. Travel vouchers can be redeemed in any of our Co-op food stores.'

If customers have any questions relating to vouchers, credit notes or a holiday that they already have booked, they should contact Travelmaker directly at info.travel@channelislands.coop or if in Guernsey call 201250.