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A holiday letting agency is refusing to accept cancellations or issue refunds for people whose plans to visit North Wales have been ruined by the coronavirus outbreak.

Sykes Holiday Cottages are refusing to accept cancellations with any refunds for anyone who paid up for a stay maintaining there is no ban on local travel despite Government advice for only essential journeys be made.

The Chester-based company acts as agents for many holiday rental owners right across Britain.

It is instead advising customers affected by the outbreak to amend their bookings on its website.

Alison Jones was planning to visit the Criccieth area with her husband over Easter to visit relatives.

She said: "We are obviously not coming now - but in light of the current behaviour of the accommodation owner and Sykes I felt it was important to bring it to notice somehow.

(Image: Daily Post Wales)

"Sykes Holiday Cottages should admit holiday travel is unacceptable and to accept under the circumstances visitors should have their holiday cancelled and refunded.

"There are hundreds of us in this situation with Sykes."

She has written to the company seeking an explanation about their stance on refunds and advice that customers who become unwell and have to self-isolate while staying in a cottage.

"Do they expect extra payment for the potential 14 day extra stay?" she asked.

Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts said everyone needs to work together in the present crisis.

(Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

"I’m hearing examples of booking agencies refusing refunds or even charging holiday home owners who are doing the right thing and cancelling holiday lets.

"This creates a perverse incentive to stay open and is irresponsible at this time. Local holiday businesses are seeing their entire incomes disappearing - this burden must not be aggravated by booking agencies profiting at their expense."

A Sykes Holiday Cottages spokesperson said: “In line with the latest government advice not to visit second homes or holiday cottages, we are strongly advising customers with bookings that commence before the end of April not to travel, but to amend their bookings on our website. We are also not taking any new bookings for travel before June 4.

“Without further government guidance, however, we are currently unable to cancel contracts between customers and property owners.

“We take our responsibilities as a holiday provider and employer extremely seriously and are working hard to safeguard our customers, colleagues and property owners while playing our part to reduce transmission.”