The agreement will see Hays Travel acquire a total of 555 stores around the UK, providing re-employment opportunities for a significant number of former employees of Thomas Cook’s retail operations, who were made redundant following the appointment of the Official Receiver as liquidator on 23 September 2019.

Following the appointment of the Official Receiver last month, Hays Travel has already recruited 421 former Thomas Cook personnel and has further offers outstanding to former employees.

David Chapman, Official Receiver, said: “This represents an important step in the liquidation process, as we seek to realise the company’s assets."

Jim Tucker, Partner at KPMG and joint special manager of Thomas Cook’s retail division, said: “This is an extremely positive outcome, and we are delighted to have secured this agreement. It provides re-employment opportunities for a significant number of former Thomas Cook employees, and secures the future of retail sites up and down the UK high street.

“We are pleased to have achieved this in a short time frame and in the context of a complex liquidation process, which is testament to a lot of hard work from a number of parties.

“Over the weeks ahead, we will work closely with Hays Travel and landlords to ensure a smooth transition of the store estate.”

John and Irene Hays, managing director and group chair of Hays Travel, said: “Thomas Cook was a much-loved brand employing talented people. We look forward to working with many of them.”