Sunderland community praises Hays Travel for further investment in local jobs as recruitment drive announced

Hays Travel revealed on Thursday, November 21 that it is recruiting for 1,500 new roles, just weeks after employing thousands of former Thomas Cook staff across the country following the company’s collapse.

The UK's largest independent travel agent is a family business, owned by John Hays and his wife Irene and specialises in good value, quality holidays with excellent customer service.

John started his business almost four decades ago with his first shop in Seaham.

Following the announcement of travel firm Thomas Cook’s liquidation in September of this year, John and Irene offered permanent contracts to more than 2,300 former employees and have continued to recruit.

Two hundred of the new position available following today’s announcement will be based at the company's head office in Sunderland’s Keel Square.

An additional 500 staff members are also being brought in to handle foreign currency across Hays Travel stores.

Apprenticeships are also being launched, and each person taken on will go through a two-year programme which has been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.

Here are some of your messages of support from the Sunderland Echo Facebook page:

Sharon Joyce said: “Brilliant, well done.”

Kelly Joseph-Tavernier said: “These two are amazing! Absolute stars.”

Tony Henderson said: “I think these two are legends. Freedom of the city seriously. In an age with many feeling outrage at the politicians, good people still exist.”

Wayne Coates said: “Nice to see local people getting on, well done Hays Travel.”

Vera Mckinnie said: “Well done to Hays. Good luck you so deserve.”

Isabella Surtees said: “Well done. You are an amazing couple. Loads of good wishes for the future.”

Alison Jane Donovan said: “They are super wonderful people offering jobs to the people of the North East.”

Doris Anderson said: “Very well done again. I heard my grandson Benjamin was on the video at conference was so excited, get him on TV ad for new year.”

Steven Thirlwell said: “This is brilliant news for Sunderland, it’s good to see firms taking people on not closing down.”