A branch manager for Thomas Cook has told of her staff’s heartbreak at seeing customers’ weddings and trips-of-a-lifetime ruined.
Fiona Gray was manager of the Kirkcaldy store until the travel firm ceased trading on Monday.
Despite the anguish of losing their jobs, Fiona and her team’s first thoughts were for clients who had trusted them with their holiday plans, she said.
In a message on social media Fiona stressed she and her colleagues did not see the collapse coming but still apologised on behalf of the team.
Fiona said: “Myself and my colleagues/friends feel so helpless for all of our amazing customers out there who trusted us with their holidays.
“We know some weren’t just holidays but celebrations, weddings and life time trips that had been booked and paid for such a long time in advance.
“Believe me when I say that it does break our hearts that it ended this way. We are so sorry.
“Our first thoughts have been for you guys, and that is why I am so proud of all my colleagues.
“They have all behaved in such a professional manner, right up until the end, when we too were watching the news for updates.
“Then when we found out at 2am Monday morning the devastating news.”
Fiona said emptying personal belongings from the High Street branch on Monday was heartbreaking but voiced confidence staff would find new jobs shortly.
She added: “I am very proud of my colleagues and we all loved working in Kirkcaldy for Thomas Cook.
“I am sure you will see them again in another role very soon.”
As they are no longer employees Fiona said she and her colleagues no longer had access to any of Thomas Cook’s systems and advised worried customers to go to the Thomas Cook CAA website for help.
Staff in Fife branches of Thomas Cook were among 9,000 across the UK employed by the firm.
