Thomas Cook demo in Leeds

Today, seven activists from The Covance Campaign decided to go visit Thomas Cook shops as part of the day of action.

First stop was the main TC in Leeds. Signs were held, and hundreds of leaflets were given out. Some people going into the travel agent didn’t go far, and went to book their holiday elsewhere. The manageress got in a strop as she noticed the shop was slowly emptying and called the police, who didn’t even turn up! Before moving on, demonstrators went into the travel agents, placing leaflets everywhere before being kicked out!

Next was Thomas Cook on Briggate, one of the busiest shopping streets in Leeds. The staff seemed very supportive, and the manager even took some
leaflets with a smile. Even when the shop was almost empty, they continued their support. When we were going, demonstrators went into the shop putting leaflets everywhere, which is when one worker couldn’t take it anymore! Thinking he was the manager, he began ranting and raving saying;
“It is disgraceful” and “Did you get permission to use the Thomas Cook logo?”

Returning to the original travel shop, the manageress decided to change her mood. She asked for protesters to not step over the line onto their
property and not to stand in front of the doors- “What part of do not stand in front of the doors do you not understand?” The police finally arrived, and they were very supportive, one even saying that his grandad
used to be a campaigner. Happy with the way the demo was, they left us to it!

The day was very successful, thousands of leaflets handed out, hundreds of signatures on the petition, lots of postcards to be sent off and another
nail in the coffin of the Thomas Cook connection!