The firm also blamed the uncertainty surrounding quarantine after travel and the contributions it will have to make to the furlough scheme from next month.

Barrhead Travel, which currently operates 76 outlets in Scotland, has not detailed how many jobs will be lost but has confirmed that at least one of its branches in central Glasgow will close. 

The company also has offices in Newcastle, Cumbria, Southampton, Leicester and Belfast.

A statement from the company said: “We will be ensuring that there is full support available for all our colleagues - personally and professionally - over the coming months.”

Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead, said: “In common with many others in our industry, we are having to make difficult decisions as a direct result of the impact of Covid-19 on holidays. Customer confidence has been dented by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding quarantine and travel restrictions. This, combined with the imminent closure of the furlough scheme, means we have had to announce a number of redundancies.”

The TSSA trade union which represents workers in the travel industry has urged the firm to work with staff representatives. It is also calling for the Scottish Government to develop a plan for the whole sector, BBC News reports.

• Read all of our articles relating to COVID-19 here.