Customers assured as travel agent shuts down
Mr Buckley said the business was not viable due a big drop in bookings and reduced commission. However, people who have booked holidays or paid deposits will not lose out, Mr Buckley said yesterday.
Two other offices trading as Paul Buckley, Charleville, Ltd in Charleville and Newcastle West will remain in business.
Ten jobs will be lost at the Limerick office. A skeleton staff is being retained to deal with customer queries.
Mr Buckley said he had informed the Commission for Aviation Regulation, the licensing authority, last Friday of the company’s intention to cease trading in Limerick.
Mr Buckley said: “Everybody will be looked after and we are working to process all customers. We are not taking any new bookings at our office in Shannon Street.”
Paul Buckley started out in the travel business in Limerick 27 years ago. He was the main provider of charters to away Munster Rugby games before the Munster Supporters Club started their own charters with Pamela Hickey.
He attributed the big drop in business to booking directly online through the internet. “There isn’t any money in this business anymore. The airlines don’t pay a commission and tour operators have reduced their commission.”
Mr Buckley said his offices in Charleville and Newcastle West are able to remain open as costs are much lower and they were tighter operations.
He said that bookings through these offices had not suffered as much from the internet as the city office had.
He said that customers who have booked to travel with them in the short term will have the arrangements processed at the Limerick office where customers will be able to pick up tickets or have them posted to them.
Customers who have paid deposits for holidays in the months ahead will be able to complete their arrangements though the Charleville and Newcastle West offices.
Customers can contact an information line on 061 419299.
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