Six jobs have been lost in Athlone with the closure on Wednesday this week of the town’s Budget Travel shop in Golden Island Shopping Centre.
Budget Travel ceased trading this week with the closure of 17 retail shops across the country, including the Athlone and Mullingar branches, with a total loss of 172 jobs. The firm applied to the High Court to have the company placed into provisional liquidation, and a liquidator was appointed on Wednesday.
Efforts were continuing yesterday (Thursday ) to assist the 750 people who were on holiday abroad with Budget Travel at the time of its closure, and to ensure customers are returned to Ireland with the minimum of inconvenience.
Up to 380 people are due to fly out on holidays with the company this weekend; however their flights have been cancelled and refunds are available from the Commission for Aviation Regulation.
For those who have booked holidays with Budget Travel, the company says it may be possible to arrange a similar holiday package with an alternative company. A helpline number is available for passengers at (01 ) 6613122.
Budget Travel managing director Eileen O’Sullivan expressed her regret at the decision to place the company in provisional liquidation.
“This has been a painful and distressing time for us all and we deeply regret that this situation has arisen. We particularly regret the impact of the decision on our loyal customers and on our colleagues across the company, many of whom have worked with us for decades. We will do everything we can to minimise the impact of this decision especially on those who are currently travelling with us,” she said.
In August this year, Budget Travel announced the closure of 14 of its outlets, including Athlone and Mullingar, with a projected loss of 95 jobs. The company began a restructuring process, which, while it addressed some of the company’s financial issues, was unable to prevent the financial challenge escalating, according to the company.
