Thousands of jobs face axe in leisure sector

Drayton Manor theme park in Staffordshire went into administration yesterday, but was rescued by a French company
Drayton Manor theme park in Staffordshire went into administration yesterday, but was rescued by a French company
ALAMY

More than 3,000 jobs are in danger in the leisure and retail industries as Covid-19 continues to land heavy blows on the high street.

About 1,700 jobs are at risk from the collapse of DW Sports, the retailer and gym group, while Hays Travel will cut 878 jobs. Hundreds more are set to go at M&Co, the Scottish clothing chain, as part of a pre-pack administration that will lead to about 50 of its 260 shops closing.

Drayton Manor theme park in Staffordshire also collapsed into administration yesterday, but it has been rescued by Looping, a French group that runs 15 leisure parks in Britain, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and Portugal. The deal secures the future of the theme park and its