European holiday rental group Awaze announced on Monday (30 October) it was mothballing the nearly 40-year-old James Villas brand with immediate effect and had already stopped taking new bookings.

Customers booked on trips returning on or before 30 November will not be affected, but all James Villas trips operating beyond this date have been cancelled.

Oliver’s, though, is offering holidaymakers and/or agents with cancelled James Villas bookings a goodwill discount of 5% should they choose to rebook with the firm, predicting "thousands" of European holidays would be affected by Awaze’s decision.

Oliver Bell, Oliver’s Travels co-founder, said: "We understand the sudden closure of James Villas has left many holidaymakers in a state of uncertainty and disappointment.

"The entire team at Oliver’s Travels really empathises with those involved as we know how important holidays are to customers. This is why we are offering a 5% discount to those impacted by the closure when they rebook with us."

Bell added the Oliver’s team were "on hand to help with the rebooking of similar holidays", utilising its portfolio of more than 9,000 villas and chateaux across the UK, Europe and the Caribbean.

A spokesperson for the brand confirmed to TTG agents could take advantage of the offer where they have affected clients.