Britannia hotels slammed for Blackpool staff lay-offs while offering beds to NHS

The Savoy in BlackpoolThe Savoy in Blackpool
The Savoy in Blackpool | jpimedia
Blackpool workers have been laid off from their jobs at the same time as the properties have been offered up for use by the NHS and care homes during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Warbreck councillor Michele Scott said she had been contacted by constituents who worked at The Metropole and The Savoy hotels, both part of the Britannia Hotel Group, who were shocked to receive letters on Thursday terminating their employment.

Britannia also operates the Norbreck Castle and the Grand Hotel in Blackpool, but it's not certain what the situation with staff is there.

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The letter confirms staff at The Savoy have had their jobs axed from March 19 because "your services are no longer required."

Staff have been "thanked" for their service while being wished "every success" in finding another job.

Coun Scott said she understood trade at the hotels had been hit, but it was wrong for a profitable company to axe staff so soon when other hotel chains were keeping staff on.

She said: "The behaviour of this company at such a time beggars belief and will have a huge financial impact on vulnerable, low earning families in the town.

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"The extreme worry already expressed by constituents in my ward who are affected, on top of the concern they already have regarding the COVID-19 virus, is immeasurable.

"The extremely wealthy owners of Britannia Group Ltd should be hanging their heads in shame.

"They certainly should not be awarded any NHS or government funded work, effectively profiteering from the current situation whilst completely removing any modicum of social responsibility for their loyal and longstanding staff."

Britannia Hotels has said it was "willing and able to provide urgently needed supplementary hospital accommodation to help meet the challenges of the coming months and to free up valuable bed spaces for critical care during the coronavirus crisis."

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Best Western Great Britain, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Travelodge and Whitbread’s Premier Inn chain are reportedly among the operators having discussions with the government about closing their hotels to the public so rooms can be given to vulnerable people in the coming months.

Britannia Hotels did not respond to a request for a comment.

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