Cinema staff among those set for reprieve

G1 group halts process of paying workers off

Staff at a Perth cinema and two city restaurants who were told they no longer had a job last week could be offered a reprieve.

Hospitality operator G1 Group, which owns Perth Playhouse, City Cafe and The Bothy, laid off a large number of staff from the three outlets following “a catastrophic drop in sales” due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The company, which has an extensive portfolio throughout Scotland, released a “significant number” of its workforce last week, which was swiftly followed by the government’s order to close all theatres, cinemas, restaurants, pubs and clubs in the UK.

However, following chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement of unlimited funding to pay 80 per cent of workers’ wages up to £2500 per month, G1 Group has said it is now investigating a potential u-turn.

Following the review, management will be in touch with the Perth-based staff whose jobs were affected “in due course”.

On Friday, March 20 a spokesperson for the G1 Group said it was facing the “most difficult and challenging circumstances we have ever encountered in our 30 year history.”

They said the group had started the process of laying off staff, despite redeploying 40 into the its retail sector.

They added: “That said we quite deliberately chose to refrain from completing our formal process in the hope that the government would announce additional support.

“We, like employers and employees alike, received the news of the job retention scheme with relief and happiness and have today stopped all proposed action in its tracks as a result.

“We will be reviewing the details behind the announcement as soon as they become available.

“We wish to make clear to all our staff, including those with whom we had a conversation yesterday, that your line manager will be in touch with you in the coming days to discuss your ongoing employment.

“We are still very much also managing the huge logistical challenge of closing down our remaining venues in line with government advice.

“We therefore ask all of our teams and customers for their patience, and send thanks to our teams all over the country for their understanding and support.

“In the coming days, our focus will be on reaching out to our teams directly in order to provide the assurances they need and to discuss next steps in more detail.

“There is no doubt that we are entering into a very dark and difficult period which will have far-reaching consequences for so many people and businesses, our own included.

“To all our teams and customers - please stay safe and healthy.”