The pandemic has taken its toll on holiday firm Hays Travel, which has announced it will shut 89 of its 535 shops.

However, the Heswall branch of Hays, on the Mount, is safe.

The move by Hays comes as the government considers a further blow to the travel industry - requiring anyone entering the UK from certain countries, which could include Portugal - to quarantine in hotels for ten days.

Hays' decision to axe shops followed a review of the takeover of Thomas Cook.

Sunderland-based Hays bought the company in October 2019 after it collapsed, saying it would review the performance of shops this year.

A Hays Travel spokeswoman said the third national lockdown and travel ban meant "the company had to act."

388 staff hit by the closures will be offered "alternative work options" to minimise redundancies.

Chief operating officer Jonathon Woodall said the "first priority" was to "look after our customers" and ensure "the highest standards of customer service".

He added that the firm was "continuing with our robust two-year business plan and continue to be ready for the bounce back when it comes."

Dame Irene Hays, owner and chair of Hays, said it was "always our intention to review the performance of our shops at the end of the licence period."

"We had hoped the business would bounce back in January and it has not," she said.

"We have done everything we could to safeguard jobs and the business thus far, and we have come up with a range of options for those at risk of redundancy to help as many colleagues as we can."

Hays has still to confirm which branches will close, but a member of staff at Hays Heswall said, "It's mostly former Thomas Cook shops. Thankfully we're fine."