Wigan coach holiday firm seeking financial help

Bosses at a Wigan-based coach holiday firm are continuing to hold talks and seek financial support as they try to secure its future.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Last month it was reported that advanced discussions were taking place with several potential buyers for Shearings.

But just a few days later Sky News reported that parent company Specialist Leisure Group had filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators to a number of subsidiaries, including Shearings.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Shearings’ chief executive Richard Calvert has now said that efforts continue to save the firm.

Shearings is based in WiganShearings is based in Wigan
Shearings is based in Wigan

In a statement, he said: “The travel industry has been severely affected by the impact of Covid-19 and the inability to operate any holidays on government instruction.

“Specialist Leisure Group is actively in dialogue with its stakeholders, advisors and the Government regarding options, which include the sourcing of financial support to enable the company to weather the storm of Covid-19.

“Our objective is to protect the interests of our customers, staff and commercial partners, and I would like to thank everyone for the truly amazing messages of support during these difficult times.”

If the firm becomes insolvent, 2,600 jobs could be at risk.

Shearings has already furloughed many of its employeesShearings has already furloughed many of its employees
Shearings has already furloughed many of its employees
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Shearings has been badly affected by the pandemic and many of its staff have been placed on furlough.

A message from the Editorial Director, Gillian Parkinson:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy when you pop out for your essential shop or subscribing for delivery.

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE:

You can subscribe for delivery by contacting us at [email protected] or calling us on 0330 4033004 for details of a participating newsagent near you.