Burger branch ‘will reopen’ despite closure fears

BURGER King staff have reportedly been told a Bristol city centre branch could close “indefinitely” – but the chain says it expects the restaurant to reopen “in the coming months”.

One employee said he and his colleagues fear for their jobs at The Galleries’ Burger King, which has been closed since the coronavirus lockdown started in March.

The Post has seen a message reportedly sent to staff by a manager at the branch on September 10, which reads: “All staff for stores that are open will be sent a letter or email or both, asking staff to return to work on October 4.

“After those have been sent they will make a decision on what is going to happen with any stores that are closed.

“If the Galleries branch is to remain closed indefinitely, I am sure you will be offered work in other restaurants.

“They are still yet to make a decision but I know the rest of the food court is open. Only Burger King is closed.”

The message also alludes to rumours of a new Burger King in Hengrove’s Imperial Retail Park.

It says: “If anyone is going or has been around Hengrove, there is supposed to be a new store being built in a retail park. I have heard it is going to be a new Burger King store.”

A Burger King spokesman told the Post there are no plans to permanently close the Galleries branch and it is expected to reopen “in the coming months”.

But the furloughed employee we spoke with claimed staff have been told eight to 10 jobs are at risk.

He added: “A manager, one supervisor and 13 sales assistants work at the branch. Three sale assistants have already been told to work in the Burger King on The Horsefair.

“A lot of us have been preparing for redundancy and looking for jobs elsewhere.”

Burger King has been asked if any jobs are at risk in The Galleries branch and if the reports of a new Hengrove restaurant are accurate.

Damon Hill

Des Lynam, broadcaster, 78; Damon Hill, former racing driver, 60; Mike Catt, former rugby union player, 49.

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