John Oram's photos with the keyword: Hays Travel

Hays Travel, 95-96 High Street, Gosport. It is nearly eight years since I started documenting the state of retail and commercial business in Gosport. I have visited High Street, Gosport from time to time, not always taking photographs and it has wearied me. Businesses there have not fared well. This, though, is a special case. The shop was a Thomas Cook until September 2019 and, after their collapse, this along with many others nationwide was taken over by Hays Travel. With their existing branch almost opposite at 62 High Street, it was probably inevitable that some consolidation would occur. The property shown appears now to contain just a few pieces of equipment and will, presumably, become another hard to let unit. TZ70_P1010651CE

The collapse of Thomas Cook on 23 September 2019 was followed quite quickly by an announcement by Hays Travel that they would acquire all 555 former Thomas Cook shops and re-employ a large number of staff. Progress with re-openings was steady and by 31 October 413 stores were open again. In Fareham, this branch retained its Thomas Cook fascia on that date although several Hays Travel notices were displayed in the window. The existing Hays Travel branch is only a few doors to the east of this Fareham Shopping Centre location. In Gosport High Street, a similar situation pertained where the existing Hays Travel Shop is almost opposite the re-opened Thomas Cook branch. Only time will tell whether this is sustainable or practical. TZ70_P1010354CE