The Scotsman

Pub chain signals job cuts at six major UK airports

- By KATHARINE HAY

Pub chain Wetherspoo­n has announced plans that could see it cut up to half of its jobs at pubs in six UK airports.

The company said it had written to its 1,000 airport staff to warn them that between 400 and 450 of their jobs are at risk of redundancy.

The job cuts will take place at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted and Birmingham airports. John Hutson, the company’s chief executive, said: “The decision is mainly a result of a downturn in trade in these pubs, linked with the large reduction in passenger numbers using the airports.

“We should emphasise that no firm decisions have been made at this stage.”

Mr Hutson said Wetherspoo­n would listen to its staff to reduce the number of compulsory redundanci­es. Less than two months ago the comp any announced that it was planning to make between 110 to 130 head office workers redundant.

“Wetherspoo­n is proposing to collective­ly consult with employees through an employment representa­tive committee, which will be establishe­d for this purpose,” Mr Hutson said.

The news comes as the UK Government announced a 10pm curfew on British pubs to slow the spread of Covid-19.

Wet her spoon’ s shares had been trading down slightly but they spiked to 1.3 per cent up after the job cuts announceme­nt.

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