HAYS TRAVEL bosses have insisted there are "no plans to close any shops" as job cuts loom for a quarter of the company's workforce.

Travel restrictions brought in to curtail the spread of Covid–19 have been devastating to the industry, particularly those which prevent travel to Spain from the UK.

Earlier this week, Hays Travel recently revealed that it is in discussions with 878 employees who they view as "at risk of redundancy" as a result.

The Sunderland-based firm currently has a store on Alloa's High Street, as well as branches in Stirling and Falkirk – sparking fears that some Forth Valley staff could be earmarked for redundancies.

Owned by husband and wife John and Irene Hays, the company, which has around 4,500 employees, has yet to announce where any potential cuts will be felt, but did stress that there was no plans to close branches.

A spokesperson for said: "At this stage we are consulting with two groups of employees – 534 foreign exchange consultants and 344 travel consultants who are in training – who are based all over the UK, in our shops and customer service centres.

"Experienced travel consultants are not affected by these consultations and there are no plans to close any shops.

"We continue to support our customers with new bookings, rebooking or refunds where necessary."

Nevertheless, the company has been called on to clarify its position on job losses and ease the fears of staff members – some of whom felt the same uncertainty as Hays took over Thomas Cook after it collapsed last year.

Keith Brown, Clacks and Dunblane MSP, told the Advertiser: "I am extremely concerned to hear of potential job losses at Hays Travel here in Alloa.

"Hays has only recently taken over from Thomas Cook and there was great hope that they would be able to keep the branch open, which is a main feature of the high-street.

"While I appreciate that there are many challenges facing the travel sector, I have written to the CEO as a matter of urgency to ask for clarification over the potential closure of the branch.

"This will be particularly unsettling news for those working at Hays, coming during a difficult and uncertain time for us all and I hope for constructive engagement with Hays Travel on the Alloa branch."

Alexander Stewart MSP echoed those thoughts, he said: "With the Scottish Conservatives' focus on encouraging everyone to do all they can to save their local high streets, it is deeply troubling to learn this news.

"This is especially sad as the Sunderland-based company magnanimously took on hundreds of Thomas Cook staff after the airline and holiday businesses collapsed in September last year, with over 500 of Thomas Cook's 800 stores being saved by Hays Travel last autumn.

"I know that Hays Travel owners John and Irene Hays had redoubled their efforts since then, investing hugely prior to the pandemic but tragically, their valued employees in Alloa face the loss of their positions through absolutely no fault of their own.

"I hope very much that Hays Travel will do all that it can in consultations to help these dedicated local staff members, as a result of its well-publicised spotlight on retaining as many people as possible and rebuilding consumer confidence."