McDonald told TTG how on Tuesday (21 September), a man entered the shop and handed the branch’s foreign exchange staff a note which read: "I’ve got a gun, hand over your English money, think of your colleagues".
They handed over the cash and the suspect reportedly then fled the scene. No weapon was brandished and no injuries were reported, but staff were left understandably shaken.
The same afternoon, a man – who McDonald believes to be an accomplice of the first suspect – attempted to exchange some cash at the agency’s Cleveley store. When staff refused, the individual "became aggressive" and left, said McDonald.
On Wednesday (22 September), a man wielding a knife entered the Fleetwood store and forced staff to empty the tills, all while four customers looked on.
Lancashire Constabulary arrested a man on suspicion of robbery on Wednesday (22 September).
"I’m just devastated for my team," said McDonald. "As much as sales and everything are important, nothing at all comes above the welfare of my colleagues.
"Just seeing what these two people did to them has devastated me. No one goes to work to work in fear."
The Fleetwood store manager was present for both robberies. Since the ordeal, McDonald has closed the shop for repair work and to make sure his colleagues "feel safe to return to work".
He is now urging the rest of the high street travel trade to remain vigilant and to remember that "agencies are a target".
"We always have very stringent security measures in store, but of course, more recently, the focus has been on Covid and customers," he added.
"But it needs to come back to the forefront of agents’ minds. We are a target on the high street, and I think Covid superseded all of our thoughts with everything that has gone on.
"It’s a stark reminder that there are some awful people out there."
