Original Cottages

EmpressBlandings

Much like Sykes, Original Cottages are offering to hold money for a future booking. They have said they'll hold current prices for next year (better than Sykes), but are refusing to refund.

We were booked to go with them on 27 March. On the day of travel, they sent a clear email cancelling the holiday (below). As far as I can see, this makes them liable; there's nothing in there T&Cs to give them an out. So they're refusing to refund, and the banks won't clawback. I'm happy to wait a month or two, but it's a ridiculous position to hold.

Dear

Confirmation of your booking cancellation

Further to our recent correspondence, we wanted to get in touch to confirm that your upcoming holiday at xxxxx Cottage has now been cancelled.

Your cancelled booking summary

Cancellation received date:	Friday 27th March 2020
Cancelled booking holiday dates:	From: Friday 27th March 2020 To: Friday 3rd April 2020
Cancelled Booking duration:	7 Nights

We would like to take this time to sincerely apologise for the delay in being able to process this holiday cancellation for you. Our teams are currently managing an unprecedented volume of enquiries and so your patience and understanding during this difficult period has meant a lot.

We very much hope to be able to welcome you back to one of our holiday cottages again in the future - and would like to thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.

In the meantime, please stay safe and we wish the very best.

Life__Goes__On

They can offer you vouchers, different dates  but you don't have to accept either of these.
You are entitled to a full refund (a voucher isn't a full refund it's an IOU.)
If they are a booking agent then you might have to pay them fees according tho their T&Cs, but these fees have to be fair. 

EmpressBlandings

Of course legally they do, but they're just refusing...with small claims not working, and banks/credit cards refusing to do clawbacks, there isn't a path for this to happen. At least in the near future. So we'll wait.