In total, 43 employees from across the business have taken voluntary redundancy, chief executive Peter Liney confirmed on Tuesday (8 September).

It follows a consultation process that got under way in August. Less than five roles remain under consultation.

Liney said the process had resulted from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and the "unknown nature or timescales of the recovery".

"We have had to make the difficult decision to reduce the size of our team," he said.

"Throughout the pandemic, there has been immense uncertainty for our business, exacerbated by constant change in government policy.

"Following recent quarantine announcements, consumer confidence has once again fallen away.

"While we sought to delay any decisions regarding our future for as long as possible, the restructuring of our operations to protect the future of the business in the long term was inevitable."

Liney confirmed the consultation process had resulted in the loss of the operator’s trade sales team.

Reflecting on the operator’s future, he added: “We have a dedicated and passionate team who have made this a successful business, much loved by customers.

"My focus at this time is both on handling this process as considerately as is possible for those affected, but also working tirelessly with the wider team to protect our position as the UK’s leading escorted rail holiday provider.”