The consultation will affect the jobs of “just over” 100 employees – around a third of the company’s staff – and comes as the government’s furlough scheme is due to end in October.

Chief executive Steve Byrne said: “As we move beyond the support of the Job Retention Scheme, we have taken the extremely difficult decision to begin the consultation process with a number of our employees, placing just over 100 back office roles in our Manchester-based support centre at risk.

“Since the start of the pandemic, the business has been quick to react and adapt both financially and operationally, with the community coming together to support and look after each other and their customers throughout the crisis.”

Travel Counsellors said it has launched a dedicated programme to support affected staff focusing on wellbeing, finances and future career development, with employees having the opportunity to “transition” to become a Travel Counsellor franchisee.

Byrne added: “We deeply understand the profound impact this will have on our people, which is no fault of their own, and we are 100% dedicated to supporting them by putting every measure we can in place to help these talented people make the right transition for them, and exploring all options to keep as many within the business as possible.

“We will also continue to support the industry in its call for dedicated support for talented travel professionals and their valued customers.”