NEW JOB CUTS FOR REGION

HUNDREDS of jobs are being cut at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, its bosses have said.

The five-star resort, which hosted golf’s Ryder Cup in 2010, as well as the 2014 Nato Conference, said it would be making 450 workers redundant in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Staff at the International Convention Centre Wales, situated in the Celtic Manor grounds in Newport and owned by the same company, will also be affected.

The company is owned by Wales’ first billionaire, Newportborn Sir Terry Matthews.

Yesterday, company bosses sent letters to staff informing them it was cutting almost half of its 995-strong workforce due to the financial impact of Covid-19.

In a statement, the company said: “It is clear the Covid-19 crisis will continue to have a catastrophic effect on the global economy, our nation and the travel, tourism and events industries for many months to come, and the Celtic Collection must reshape and resize its business to ensure that it is fit for the future.

“With drastically reduced occupancies and revenues, its current financial model is not sustainable. Staff whose positions are at risk of redundancy have been sent letters advising them of the process. The Celtic Collection deeply regrets having to take this course of action in response to the devastating economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and understands the enormous impact this will have on the livelihoods of affected team members and their families.

“Everything possible will be done to support those affected and an employees’ consultative panel has been involved in the decision-making process.

“The Celtic Collection is unable to make any further comment as the consultation process is ongoing.”

The resort’s hotel boasts 332 rooms, six restaurants, five bars, two spas and three golf courses.

The 5,000-capacity International Convention Centre Wales, which overlooks the M4 motorway, was opened in September last year with the help of £22.5m in grant funding from the Welsh Government.

Ruth Jones, Labour MP for Newport West, said: “Very concerned to see this. This is devastating for Newport and South Wales and for the staff who will understandably be very concerned.

“The loss of these jobs will affect not just individuals and their families but the communities across Newport and further afield.”