Hoards of local Thomas Cook customers remain in the dark about what will happen with their holidays and flights after Thomas Cook’s collapse put honeymoons and vacations into jeopardy.
On top of this, people whose flights were booked with the company are now finding that replacement deals are as much as triple the price.
Thomas Cook entered Compulsory Liquidation on Monday, September 23. The UK business ceased trading and all future flights and holidays were cancelled.
Repatriation is underway under the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which said all flights would be replaced.
The Lincoln High Street shop sits empty. Photo: Connor Creaghan for The Lincolnite
Anyone who bought future package holidays with the company is covered by the Air Travel Organiser’s License scheme (Atol), meaning the cost of their holiday will be refunded, but this doesn’t cover flight only deals. Refunds for these will have to be claimed back though travel insurance, credit or debit cards.
While customers review refund timelines and the sharply rising cost of alternative flights, cancellations and disappointment are on the cards.
As previously reported, staff at nine Thomas Cook shops in Lincolnshire, including the two-year old Cornhill unit in Lincoln, will lose their jobs after the airline collapsed. However, the exact number of jobs lost has not yet been made public by Thomas Cook.
Simon Redgrave, who was due to be going on his honeymoon to the Maldives in November, told The Lincolnite:
“We have unfortunately been a part of the Thomas Cook collapse as we had our honeymoon booked with them. Now, due to this, we are now unable to book another honeymoon without receiving a refund.
“We woke up to the news (on Monday). Unfortunately we haven’t been told anything. We have just researched online and the refund process can take up to 60 days which would be after our wedding. The whole package was booked with them. You’re unable to speak to them and unable to get through to the CAA.”
Britain’s oldest travel firm confirmed a dedicated booking service is being provided by The Civil Aviation Authority to assist customers currently overseas and those in the UK with future bookings – click here for more information.
The Government and the Civil Aviation Authority are working together to support passengers due to fly back to the UK with Thomas Cook between September 23 and October 6, 2019, in what is the UK CAA’s biggest ever peacetime repatriation.
Your experiences
Gaynor Bateman said: “We were due to fly to Vegas on October 13 for best friend’s wedding…but it gets worse. The bride has worked for Thomas Cook for 18 years.”
Jo-sly Hunt said: “Our daughter works for TC abroad in Zante and me and a friend were flying with them in October. Gutted for everyone that’s lost there jobs.”
Sandra Roberts Was Andrews said: “I had two holidays booked for next year and my sister has lost her job. She has worked for Thomas Cook for well over 25 years.”
Gav Brown said: “We were due to go to Vegas next month for my mate’s wedding.”
Amy Ward said: “Honeymoon cancelled”
Eddie Driver said: “Currently in turkey with Thomas Cook. Due to fly home on Thursday. Not sure what will happen with transfers and flights. Feel sorry for all the people who have booked and lost their holiday. Plus so many jobs lost as well.”
I am one of those Thomas Cook customers enjoying a beautiful bit of Europe at the moment. We’ll get sorted…but those 1000’s of UK jobs….. pic.twitter.com/KWlUPFQ4tg
Paul Pyrah said: “My eldest son was one of the lucky ones. He flew back from Orlando around midnight. It was Thomas Cook’s very last flight. He said the crew on board were crying and all in tears.”
Wayne Pyrah added: “It was a very quiet sad flight home, I really felt for the crew. How they managed to make announcements and keep the service up I just don’t know how they did it. Very emotional.”
Local businesses rally round
The Original Bierkeller Lincoln was among the local businesses to offer support to those affected by Thomas Cook’s collapse.
It said any Thomas Cook Airlines UK staff can get free entry and some free drinks if they bring last month’s payslip down this weekend. It added that a small number of part-time positions are available and “we’ll help where we can”.
Lincoln City FC is offering local Thomas Cook employees free coach travel and free tickets for Friday’s trip to Blackpool “as a small gesture to show our support”.
Thomas Cook employees must email [email protected] to secure their free bus and match tickets by Thursday at 3pm, providing proof of employment.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.
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