THE #1700m flotation of Thomson Travel left would-be investors angry and frustrated this week as application forms failed to arrive on time - but late applicants still have a chance.
Thomson earmarked 10% of its shares for private investors and 90% for institutions, but was said yesterday to be considering lifting the private allocation.
''I tried to contact The Share Centre for two days but was unable to get through,'' said Michael Kennedy, a retired deputy headteacher from Glasgow, one of several investors who contacted Money World.
On Wednesday, 24 hours before the deadline for share applications, Kennedy had still not received the necessary forms in spite of registering with Thomson in March and receiving an acknowledgement on April 9.
The Share Centre was one of five share shops nominated for the float. A Thomson spokesman said: ''The Share Centre has been having difficulties due to the large amount of calls. We are apologising, but demand has been far greater than expected.''
Retired accountant John Martin from Glasgow said: ''My application was acknowledged on April 16. I tried seven or eight times to get through, and it looks as though I will lose out.''
The Share Centre tried to attract customers by throwing in a prize draw. It said ''only a very small percentage'' of forms had been delayed due to mailing house problems, and claimed all had been sent out by Tuesday.
Thomson said anybody who registered and did not receive a form in time should write with full details immediately to: Mr M Chung, SBC Warburg Dillon Read, 1 Finsbury Avenue, London EC2M 2PP.
Asked if late applicants would receive shares, a spokesman said: ''I cannot guarantee that, but the trustee will look at each case individually and would hope to honour the agreement.''
Those who were able to apply on time will find out their allocations early next week.
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