Thomas Cook France placed in receivership, 780 jobs at risk

The French arm of the bankrupt British tour operator Thomas Cook said Tuesday that a commercial court had placed it in receivership, and that "several serious candidates" had already shown interest in buying the company.

Thomas Cook France, which employs 780 people, had already declared insolvency last week in the wake of its parent company's bankruptcy.

It said the court in Nanterre, outside Paris, had set a deadline of October 22 for potential takeover bids, and a new court hearing to examine the offers on November 5.

"The goal is to ensure continued operations for the French subsidiary and rapidly find a takeover solution," Thomas Cook France said.

Potential buyers included some in the travel tourism sector, it said, while "other potential candidates could also come forward."