Disappointment as another business at Meadowhall closes following Covid-19 pandemic

The Cruise Holiday Shop there has been shut since the Covid-19 lockdown began in March, and Bolsover Cruise Club has revealed it will not reopen.

But the Chesterfield-based firm says there are no plans for redundancies, as it extends the hours of its call centre and prepares to launch a new website with online booking.

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Michael Wilson, the company’s managing director, said the decision to close the store in Sheffield ‘isn’t one we have taken lightly’ but the coronavirus pandemic had accelerated the shift towards online shopping and it had to change with the times.

He added that staff health and safety had been a factor in the decision, as the size of its Meadowhall shop would have made it difficult to maintain adequate social distancing.

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Customers will still be able to visit the Cruise Bureau at its Barlborough head office when that reopens, he said.

Twelve members of staff who were based at the Meadowhall shop, which opened in 2014, have returned to call centre roles ahead of the Cruise Bureau reopening, at which point they will resume customer facing positions there.

Mr Wilson insisted he remained confident about the future of the business, amid what he called ‘really challenging times for the industry’.

“We’re in a solid position to weather the storm and we’re really hopeful of having our reputation for excellent service when it’s needed most recognised in the British Travel Awards next month,” he said.