A businessman whose holiday firm closed has defended his decision not to refund a number of customers after becoming the director of a newly-formed travel business.

Simon Howell, 61, had previously owned Vision Getaways, a Colchester-based business which ran daytrips and holidays.

After the business closed in December, Mr Howell said he was left facing homelessness whilst he worked to refund customers who had made holiday bookings through his company.

Those who booked day trips, or paid for bookings using cash or debit cards, however, were not covered for refunds via Vision Getaways’ insurance company, Tower Gate.

It has meant numerous customers will not be getting their money back.

Last month however Mr Howell started back up in the travel industry, and is the director of Odyssey Travel Ipswich Limited.

When asked about becoming the director of Odyssey Travel Ipswich and not refunding customers from Vision Getaways, Mr Howell said he had done as much as he possibly could.

He said: “Nobody will be refunded for daytrips they have booked – holidays, yes, but daytrips, unfortunately not.

“If they paid by credit card, customers can go to their credit company [for refunds].

“I was responsible for any debts that were incurred at Vision Getaways – those debts were insured by Tower Gate insurance, and in some cases they are yet to pay out.”

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He added: “If the managing director of M&S liquidated M&S, there’s nothing to stop him becoming the managing director of Sainsbury’s – unfortunately, people have to work and they have to get jobs.

“I can’t do more than I’ve done. I shouldn’t have to defend myself because I’ve got a job,” he said.

Customers fume after being left out of pocket

Customers have hit out at Simon Howell after being left out of pocket.

Debbie Byrne, 86, spent £134 on a trip to London with her daughter as a Christmas present, only to find out two days before the trip Vision Getaways – the company which organised the daytrip – had ceased operations.

Because she paid by debit card, she is not entitled to a refund.

Mrs Byrne said: “I rang Vision Getaways two days before we were due to go to London because I wanted to know when the coach was leaving Colchester, then I got the message that they weren’t trading any longer – that was quite a shock.

“I can ill afford to lose £134.

“You just can’t get hold of the guy, and he’s got away with it as far as I’m concerned – how can you treat people like that?

“He doesn’t have the money [for the refund] – well I don’t have my money either.

“He’s probably in a better position than an old age pensioner.”

Another customer, who did not wish to be named, said: “He owes me money and he owes my wife money.

“The less I hear about it the better, because it makes me so angry.

“He’s closed his old business and now he’s gone and started a new one – how on earth can anyone have the face to do that?

“It’s not just 20 to 30 people [affected] – it’s hundreds of people.”