TRAVEL company Toucan Travel has filed for administration after coronavirus pandemic causes financial difficulty.

The independent travel company, who had seven stores around Hampshire, announced the sad news yesterday on social media.

The statement posted on Facebook read: It is with regret that we announce that the company has ceased to trade and Gareth Roberts and Paul Ellison of KRE Corporate Recovery Limited were appointed Joint Administrators of Toucan Travel Ltd with effect from 20 October 2020.”

Hundreds of supportive messages flooded in on the Facebook post from employees and customers.

Terri Thorpe wrote: “This is so so sad. Toucan was without a doubt the best place I ever worked with the loveliest people! My heart goes out to Terry, Barb and all the team.”

Helen Gardner said: “So sorry to hear this news, we always delt with the Hook team and will really miss the, knowledge, professionalism and pride in going that extra mile.”

The Toucan Travel Facebook page responded to these hearfelt messages this morning: “Terry and Barb do not have FB pages but have been shown all of your lovely comments and they would like to say Thank you for all of your kind words and support they really do mean a lot.”

Toucan Travel had branches in Chineham, Hook, Tadley, Odiham, Fleet, Andover and Winchester.

Advice for customers affected by the closure can be found by clicking here. 

Other companies in the travel sector that have announced potential job losses since March 23: 

October 7 – Manchester Airport Group – 892

September 14 – London City Airport – 239

September 4 – Virgin Atlantic – 1,150

August 26 – Gatwick Airport – 600

August 11 – InterContinental Hotels – 650 worldwide

August 6 – Travelex – 1,300

August 3 – Hays Travel – up to 878

July 9 – Eurostar – unknown number

June 30 – Airbus – 1,700

June 24 – Jet2 – 102

June 11 – Heathrow – at least 500

May 29 – Belfast International Airport – 45

May 28 – EasyJet – 4,500 worldwide

May 13 – Tui – 8,000 worldwide

May 12 – Carnival UK (owns P&O Cruises and Cunard) – 450

May 11 – P&O Ferries – 1,100 worldwide

May 5 – Virgin Atlantic – 3,150

May 1 – Ryanair – 3,000 worldwide

April 28 – British Airways – 12,000