'Devastated' Thomas Cook staff use own time to help customers

Former Thomas Cook employee tells ITV News why she is giving up her own time to help her customers

Queues line up to get advise from Thomas Cook employees Credit: ITV Central

Thomas Cook staff who have lost their job following the travel firm's collapse have opened a pop-up branch in Stoke-on-Trent today, (30 September) to help holidaymakers.

Members of staff who used to work at the Longton travel agent say they will be on hand to help customers for two hours, from 12 noon to 2 pm.

They will not be paid and have chosen to give up their own time to offer advice.

The temporary branch will open inside an office in the Longton Exchange shopping centre just a few steps away from the closed store on The Strand, opposite Boots.

In a post on Facebook, Thomas Cook employee Donna Jones said: "Myself and the team from Thomas Cook Longton store are absolutely devastated by the recent collapse of our company.

"We truly did not know that this was going to happen."

Lots of people have been tweeting their support to those employees who are giving up their time including MP Preet Gill

The staff will not be paid but have chosen to give up their own time to offer advice. Credit: BPM Media

Any customers would like to attend are asked to take along their booking details including passports, ATOL certificate and reference plus any other documents to support claims.