Latest news with #Berkshire-based
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wycombe Wanderers set to sign former Manchester City goalkeeper
Mikki van Sas is expected to join Wycombe on loan this summer (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Images) Wycombe Wanderers are expected to sign Feyenoord goalkeeper Mikki van Sas. The 21-year-old, who spent three years at Manchester City between 2020 and 2023, is set to replace Will Norris as the Chairboys' number one for the upcoming 2025/26 season. Advertisement The Adams Park side had hopes to secure the services of Reading shot-stopper Joel Pereira, but those plans were thwarted after he signed a contract extension with the Berkshire-based team. For Wanderers, van Sas' pending arrival will mean he will become Wycombe's sixth first-choice keeper since 2020. Ryan Allsop was the undisputed number one between 2018 and 2021 before he was dropped for David Stockdale, who played 63 consecutive league games for Wycombe. His departure in 2022 saw Max Stryjek join, but after some erratic displays in 2023/24, he was displaced by Franco Ravizzoli. The Argentine was virtually ever-present (excluding two games) in the league for roughly 12 months when Will Norris joined on a free transfer from Portsmouth in February and displaced the South American. Advertisement And despite keeping 10 clean sheets in 19 matches at the back end of last season, his displays were not as convincing as hoped, with high-profile errors coming in defeats against Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic, respectively. This has led the club to look into the market, with van Sas poised to sign. It is also expected that with fellow keepers Shamal George and Lauri Shala still on the books at HP12, Norris will leave Wanderers this summer. Ravizzoli will also depart the South Buckinghamshire side once his contract expires on June 30. For van Sas, the Dutchman spent last year on loan at Vitesse. Advertisement He has also played for the national team's U15s, 16s and 18s and U19s, but he has yet to make his professional debut for the first team. He has also not featured for Feyenoord's men's team following his arrival in 2023.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SafeGuest Launches Game-Changing Risk Scoring Tool to Help Airbnb and Short-Let Hosts Stop Problem Guests — For Free
LONDON, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SafeGuest, the safety-first platform for short-term rental hosts and property managers, today announced the launch of its revolutionary Guest Risk Assessment Tool — a free service that helps hosts instantly identify and avoid high-risk bookings before guests arrive. Using a blend of verified data, behavioural indicators, and proprietary analytics, the new feature classifies each guest as Green, Yellow, or Red, giving hosts a clear and actionable safety signal — with zero additional cost. 'For too long, hosts have had to cross their fingers and hope for the best,' said Harry Birks, Founder of SafeGuest. 'We're changing that. Now, any host can know within seconds whether a booking looks safe — and we've made it completely free.' The risk scoring system integrates directly into leading property management systems such as Guesty and Hostfully, meaning professional hosts and managers can act on the data without leaving their workflow. The tool is powered by data collected during SafeGuest's guest verification process, including biometric ID checks, payment validation, stay history, and behaviour-based checks. Free Protection That Pays Off In an industry still grappling with unauthorised parties, costly damages, and identity fraud, SafeGuest's proactive approach is a welcome change. The platform has already completed over 100,000 guest verifications across the UK, Europe, USA, and the Middle East — helping thousands of hosts prevent damage, disputes, and stress. 'We've had guests who looked fine on the surface, but SafeGuest flagged them as a high risk. It saved us a nightmare,' said Dee Prior, a Berkshire-based Airbnb superhost. SafeGuest also gives hosts a choice: take a refundable damage deposit (via pre-authorised hold) or offer a non-refundable waiver that unlocks instant guest protection for up to £250 in accidental damages — with no awkward claims or deductions after checkout. Raising the Standard in Short-Term Rentals The platform's rapid growth signals a shift in host expectations: verification is no longer optional, and damage deposits alone don't cut it. With regulation tightening in cities around the world, SafeGuest is well positioned to become the new standard for compliance, safety, and trust. 'The future of short lets depends on trust — and trust starts with knowing who's staying in your property,' added Birks. 'We built SafeGuest to empower hosts, not charge them for peace of mind.' About SafeGuestSafeGuest is the all-in-one guest verification and risk assessment platform for Airbnb hosts and short-let property managers. With ID verification, payment checks, damage protection, and now AI-powered guest scoring, SafeGuest gives hosts the tools they need to operate safely and confidently — all for free. Visit to learn more. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at CONTACT: Media Contact: Harry Birks Co-Founder, SafeGuest harry@ +447943844885
Wales Online
22-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
ATOL protection - what to do if your travel company goes bust
ATOL protection - what to do if your travel company goes bust There are various measures in place to protect consumers Things can go wrong (Image: Liam McBurney/PA ) Berkshire-based travel company Great Little Escapes collapsed earlier this week, leaving thousands of holidaymakers in limbo. When a travel company goes bust, suddenly people who were looking forward to their escape abroad are left facing a confusing and stressful situation. When booking a holiday, the last thing on your mind is the possibility that your airline, hotel, or cruise company could collapse. Unfortunately, it happens - and when it does, the result can be both stressful and expensive. This is where end supplier failure comes into play. What happens when a travel company goes bust - end supplier failure Chris Payne, compliance expert at Total Travel Protection, explained: 'End supplier failure refers to the insolvency or financial collapse of a travel service provider - such as an airline, hotel, ferry operator, car hire company, or cruise line - that was supposed to deliver a part of your travel plans. If they cease trading, you may be left without the service you paid for." What to do if your travel firm goes bust The first thing you should do is check if you booked a package holiday - known as ATOL Protected. If you booked a package holiday through a UK travel company and received an ATOL certificate, you're in luck. The ATOL scheme, run by the Civil Aviation Authority, protects you if the travel company or one of its suppliers goes bust. Did it happen before travel? You should get a refund. Already abroad? ATOL will arrange for you to return home. ATOL only applies to air travel packages sold in the UK. Article continues below Did you pay by credit card? Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, if you paid £100–£30,000 using a UK credit card, the card provider is jointly liable for the failure of the supplier - even if you booked through an intermediary. You can claim a full refund from your card issuer if the service isn't provided due to insolvency. Look for ABTA protection. If you booked land- or sea-based travel (e.g., coach tours, cruises, rail), and the company is an ABTA member, you may be entitled to refunds or alternative arrangements under their protection scheme. ABTA does not cover flight-only bookings. Contact the insolvency practitioner. In cases where ATOL, ABTA, or the Consumer Credit Act doesn't apply, you can contact the administrator or liquidator handling the collapsed supplier's insolvency. They may be organising limited refunds or arrangements. Article continues below What if you're already abroad? Chris said: 'If your end supplier fails while you're away, you should reach out to ATOL or ABTA if applicable. Contact the UK consulate or embassy if you're stranded with no support.' More help and advice can be found at:
Daily Mirror
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Warning issued to Brits affected by collapsed travel firm as chaos fears ramp up
Travel company Great Little Escapes has been removed from the ATOL scheme and ceased trading, leaving Brits with holidays booked through the firm in chaos UK-based travel agency Great Little Escapes, also operating as Our Holidays and Tunisia First, has abruptly ceased trading, casting uncertainty for many travellers. British holidaymakers are faced with turmoil as bookings fall through following Great Little Escapes being stripped of its ATOL scheme membership and halting its operations. The Berkshire-based firm touted itself as a provider of the 'best cheap breaks in the UK', focusing on city breaks, while Your Holidays boasted a varied offering, including deals for hen and stag dos, LGBT getaways and bespoke packages. Falling into financial difficulty, the company's latest figures reveal a near £77,000 loss last year and a hefty £186,000 deficit reported for 2023, says TTG, the travel industry's news outlet. In the UK, it's mandatory for any business selling holidays and flights to possess an ATOL (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing), providing a safety net for consumers' finances. The ATOL protection ensures that customers can either continue their planned trip or claim a full refund if a travel operator collapses, reports Wales Online. Following the company's sudden downfall, ATOL stated they are "currently collating information from the company" and will issue guidance promptly. Those potentially impacted have been instructed not to submit claims yet, with warnings that premature attempts will be turned down. But now hundreds of summer breaks are in jeopardy and holidaymakers are desperate for clarity. The authority also issued explicit guidance for associated travel agents, noting: "If you are a travel agent of Great Little Escapes LLP and you are currently holding consumer payments which you have not yet paid to Great Little Escapes LLP, you must not use these funds to refund consumers until you have received instructions from the Air Travel Trust." The collapse of this latest travel agency is sure to unsettle those thrifty holiday-seekers keen on saving on their bookings to have more spending money for beachside cocktails and souvenirs during their getaway. What to do if your holiday company goes bankrupt So, what's the next step if your travel firm goes under? What rights do you have, and how can you reclaim your hard-earned cash? Discovering that your holiday provider has folded is every traveller's worst fear, especially when you're yearning for that essential escape. Thankfully, various laws and regulations exist to aid you in getting a refund should things take a turn for the worse. Your first port of call should be to touch base with your travel agent if you arranged your trip through them, to confirm your booking is still valid. All providers offering services within the EU are bound by consumer protection legislation. According to the European Consumer Centres Network: "If you book a holiday, rental car, accommodation or a flight in the EU, Norway or Iceland and run into problems, rest assured that consumer rights are in place to support you. "If your flight is cancelled, your baggage is lost, your cruise doesn't go smoothly, or you miss your train connection, EU legislation will ensure you obtain redress." In the UK, travel companies that provide packages, including a flight, and sell them to customers must protect your money through the ATOL scheme. As the Post Office notes, this means that if you booked your overseas holiday with an ATOL member and it goes bust before you travel, you can apply to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for a full refund. If you're already on holiday when the company goes bankrupt, the CAA will arrange for you to return home. ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents, also provides financial protection for UK consumers who book holidays through ABTA members. This protection ensures that consumers receive refunds or assistance if their travel company goes out of business. Package holidays and agency booking can also offer travellers extra reassurance and customer service. "Booking through a professional agent gives you the peace of mind that you are protected in the event of any changes to your travel," said Sarah Davies, a travel advisor from Life Begins with Travel. "Even if just to have someone on the end of the phone to guide you through the process." Davies explained that many online travel companies weren't members of ABTA, though, so it was important to ensure you choose a company with both ABTA and ATOL protection "so you don't end up out of pocket and that you're well looked after." Look for the ATOL logo when booking, and you should receive an ATOL certificate immediately after booking. You can also check a company's ATOL status on the CAA website. If you can't reach the travel company, contact your airline and accommodation provider directly to confirm your booking and check that they've received your payment. If everything checks out, you should be all set to go on your hols. However, if the booking doesn't exist or you can't get through to those companies, possibly because they've gone out of business, check your paperwork to determine whether you've ABTA or ATOL protection. Making a claim The Civil Aviation Authority notes that the refund process is quite straightforward. ATOL-protected consumers complete an ATOL Claim Form, and it then requests the documentation from the ATOL holder issued to the customer. They will request evidence of payment to the ATOL holder or overseas supplier, depending on your claim type. In some cases where you've paid by credit card, they may direct you to contact your card issuer for a refund. For more details, visit their website. How to make a claim Check your ATOL certificate or invoice to confirm that the trip was ATOL-protected and lists the ATOL holder. Visit the CAA ATOL Claims Portal to submit your case as the Lead Passenger You'll need to provide an ATOL certificate/reference, booking and payment details, receipts for any extra costs The CAA then processes the claim and may seek reimbursement through a credit card provider (Section 75), in some cases. Will Travel insurance cover me? Travel insurance doesn't usually cover you if your holiday company goes bust — but some policies do include cover for things like 'end supplier failure' or 'scheduled airline failure.' It's definitely worth having a quick look at the fine print to see if you're protected. Do I have Credit card protection? If you haven't got travel insurance in place at the point when your holiday company goes bust, you may be able to claim back your money through your credit card company. To be eligible, you need to have paid more than £100 for your holiday or flights and booked directly with the holiday company or airline. Next steps Do not apply for CAA claims before they publish details about a failed ATOL holder If you're overseas, the CAA will inform you of the repatriation plan. Upon failure, the CAA list is updated; find it on the ATOL portal . Gather all documents: receipts, bookings, and communications; this will support your claim At a glance: If a travel company with an ATOL goes bust: You'll get a refund if you haven't travelled yet. If you're already abroad, ATOL ensures you're not stranded and helps bring you home. It applies to package holidays and some flight-only deals sold by UK companies. If something goes wrong: First, go to the travel company. If unresolved, and it's financial or related to collapse, go to ATOL via the CAA. For complaints not involving insolvency (e.g. poor service), escalate to an ombudsman or Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) body.
Wales Online
17-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Holidays chaos fear as travel firm collapses - how to get your money back
Holidays chaos fear as travel firm collapses - how to get your money back British holidaymakers with trips booked with Great Little Escapes saw their plans fall through after the company was removed from the ATOL scheme and ceased trading A UK travel company has collapsed - leaving many people's holiday plans in doubt (Image: PA ) UK-based Great Little Escapes, which operated under various names, including Our Holidays, Great Little Escapes, and Tunisia First, has ceased trading, causing chaos for travellers. British holidaymakers with trips booked with Great Little Escapes will have seen their plans fall through after the company was removed from the ATOL scheme and ceased trading. The Berkshire-based travel agency claimed to offer the 'best cheap breaks in the UK' and specialised in city breaks, while Your Holidays has a diverse portfolio, ranging from hen and stag parties to LGBT holidays and niche packages. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here TTG, the travel industry news website, has reported that the company's latest financials show it lost nearly £77,000 last year and recorded a deficit of £186,000 in 2023. Under UK law, all travel companies selling holidays and flights must hold an ATOL, which provides financial protection for consumers. The scheme ensures that if a travel company goes out of business, customers can either continue their holiday or receive a full refund. In the wake of the company's collapse, ATOL (Air Travel Licensing Scheme) stated that it was "currently collating information from the company" and would provide advice as soon as possible. Article continues below It advised people who might have been affected not to submit claims yet, as they would be rejected. But hundreds of summer holidays are now at risk and people are scrambling for answers. The authority also provided clear instructions for associated travel agents, stating: 'If you are a travel agent of Great Little Escapes LLP and you are currently holding consumer payments which you have not yet paid to Great Little Escapes LLP, you must not use these funds to refund consumers until you have received instructions from the Air Travel Trust." This latest travel agent flop is bound to rattle the nerves of bargain-hunting holidaymakers who'd rather save on the booking so they can splash the cash on cocktails and souvenirs on their hols. What to do if your holiday company goes bankrupt Finding out your holiday company has gone bust can be a nightmare for travellers looking to jet off for a much-needed break (Image: Getty ) So, what do you do if your holiday company goes bankrupt? What are your rights, and can you recover your money? Finding out your holiday company has gone bust can be a nightmare for travellers looking to jet off for a much-needed break. Luckily, there are several laws and regulations in place to help you get your money back if things go wrong. The first call should be to your travel agent, if you booked through one, to ensure your booking is still in place. All businesses that provide services in the EU must comply with consumer protection rules. The European Consumer Centres Network states: 'If you book a holiday, rental car, accommodation or a flight in the EU, Norway or Iceland and encounter any issues, your consumer rights are there to protect you. If your flight is cancelled, your baggage is lost, your cruise doesn't go smoothly, or you miss your train connection, EU legislation will ensure you obtain redress.' In the UK, travel companies that provide packages, including a flight, and sell them to customers must protect your money through the ATOL scheme. As the Post Office notes, this means that if you booked your overseas holiday with an ATOL member and it goes bust before you travel, you can apply to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for a full refund. If you're already on holiday when the company goes bankrupt, the CAA will arrange for you to return home. ABTA, the Association of British Travel Agents, also provides financial protection for UK consumers who book holidays through ABTA members. This protection ensures that consumers receive refunds or assistance if their travel company goes out of business. Package holidays and agency booking can also offer travellers extra reassurance and customer service. "Booking through a professional agent gives you the peace of mind that you are protected in the event of any changes to your travel," said Sarah Davies, a travel advisor from Life Begins with Travel. "Even if just to have someone on the end of the phone to guide you through the process." Davies explained that many online travel companies weren't members of ABTA, though, so it was important to ensure you choose a company with both ABTA and ATOL protection "so you don't end up out of pocket and that you're well looked after." Look for the ATOL logo when booking, and you should receive an ATOL certificate immediately after booking. You can also check a company's ATOL status on the CAA website. If you can't reach the travel company, contact your airline and accommodation provider directly to confirm your booking and check that they've received your payment. If everything checks out, you should be all set to go on your hols. However, if the booking doesn't exist or you can't get through to those companies, possibly because they've gone out of business, check your paperwork to determine whether you've ABTA or ATOL protection. Making a claim Check your ATOL certificate or invoice to confirm that the trip was ATOL-protected (Image: K) The Civil Aviation Authority notes that the refund process is quite straightforward. ATOL-protected consumers complete an ATOL Claim Form, and it then requests the documentation from the ATOL holder issued to the customer. They will request evidence of payment to the ATOL holder or overseas supplier, depending on your claim type. In some cases where you've paid by credit card, they may direct you to contact your card issuer for a refund. For more details, visit their website. How to make a claim Check your ATOL certificate or invoice to confirm that the trip was ATOL-protected and lists the ATOL holder. Visit the CAA ATOL Claims Portal to submit your case as the Lead Passenger You'll need to provide an ATOL certificate/reference, booking and payment details, receipts for any extra costs The CAA then processes the claim and may seek reimbursement through a credit card provider (Section 75), in some cases. Will Travel insurance cover me? Travel insurance doesn't usually cover you if your holiday company goes bust — but some policies do include cover for things like 'end supplier failure' or 'scheduled airline failure.' It's definitely worth having a quick look at the fine print to see if you're protected. Do I have Credit card protection? If you haven't got travel insurance in place at the point when your holiday company goes bust, you may be able to claim back your money through your credit card company. To be eligible, you need to have paid more than £100 for your holiday or flights and booked directly with the holiday company or airline. Next steps Do not apply for CAA claims before they publish details about a failed ATOL holder apply for CAA claims before they publish details about a failed ATOL holder If you're overseas, the CAA will inform you of the repatriation plan. of the repatriation plan. Upon failure, the CAA list is updated; find it on the ATOL portal . Gather all documents: receipts, bookings, and communications; this will support your claim At a glance: If a travel company with an ATOL goes bust: You'll get a refund if you haven't travelled yet. If you're already abroad, ATOL ensures you're not stranded and helps bring you home. It applies to package holidays and some flight-only deals sold by UK companies. If something goes wrong: Article continues below First, go to the travel company. If unresolved, and it's financial or related to collapse, go to ATOL via the CAA. For complaints not involving insolvency (e.g. poor service), escalate to an ombudsman or Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) body.
