ONE of AltonÕs major employers is having to cut its workforce in the wake of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington .
Travelbag has been forced to make 14 of its Alton-based staff redundant as a knock-on effect of problems faced by many of the worldÕs major airlines.
The company employs 610 people, almost half of whom are based at its headquarters in Alton. While it has seven other retail outlets across the country, most of the redundancies are said to have come from the administration department based in the town.
According to a company spokesperson, the fallout from the World Trade Centre bombings has resulted in a downturn in public confidence and spending on holidays.
ÒAt times like these it is important to look at inefficiencies in the company. We truly believe in the people who work with the company and we are trying to keep the skills together and look at cutting other costs.Ó
Pointing out that the company was trying to keep job losses to a minimum, the spokesperson confirmed that although sales were down, enquiries were continuing to come in and the company was confident that things would get back on track.
ÒWe want to prepare for the return of confidence and spending, but it will take a period of time to look at things clearly,Ó she said.