Agents who worked through the pandemic for Hays Travel North West are in line for a bumper Christmas pay-out of up to £1,000.

The festive cheer is a reward for their ‘tireless’ efforts to keep the business afloat right through Covid-19, with the cash being paid half in December and half in January. Payments of £500 will go to those who joined the business from the start of 2021, and £250 from those in post on 1 January this year. Pro-rata awards will be made to those on part-time contracts.

Wrexham-based Hays North West was founded in 2000 and currently has 46 stores and more than 250 staff.

Managing director Don Bircham said the bonus was on the back of an exceptional August, with sales up 60% compared to last year

“Our staff worked tirelessly during the Covid pandemic to keep the business afloat and I promised then to give something back to them when trading was back to some kind of normality,” he said.

“We have had a fantastic summer and have continued to expand the business with two more stores opening last month in Preston and Blackpool but I am very aware of the financial challenges facing all of us from the cost-of-living crisis as well as the additional costs that come at Christmas.

“We continue to look for expansion opportunities and when the right locations become available we are always interested.

“We are also looking to recruit more staff and we can offer a comprehensive training package with a nationally-recognised qualification at the end of it to help them make the most of an opportunity to work in this exciting sector.”