Forbury Park not slashing catering jobs
FORBURY Park Trotting Club management have denied claims they are soon to slash jobs.
A member of staff contacted the Otago Daily Times with concerns about the future of the jobs of the club’s food service business, which employs about 20 people.
The club recently closed its bistro.
Interim general manager Tom Conroy confirmed staff were recently notified of possible changes to the bar, bistro and catering services the club offered.
Mr Conroy would not reveal what those changes would be, but said its Forbury Park premises were set to drastically change.
‘‘The hospitality offering will be totally revamped,’’ he said.
In 2016, the club bought three businesses that had previously been run by independent operators at the racetrack — Just Essence Catering, Forbury Park Function Centre and the Forbury Park Sports Bar and Bistro.
It was hoped these purchases would help turn around the $279,729 deficit it posted that year.
Those businesses now look set to be returned to independent ownership.
The club is in negotiations with an external party to take over the running of the hospitality businesses.
‘‘We have an exciting new venture coming,’’ Mr Conroy said.
Catering staff were notified of the possibility of change ahead of any deal to give them time to prepare, he said.
Mr Conroy said a mass cutting of jobs was unlikely if a deal was confirmed.
‘‘The majority of staff are likely to be offered positions in any new entity that may arise. Not all employees are seeking to stay on.’’
The club was working through ‘‘sensitive employment issues’’.
The club closed the bistro operation after entering negotiations.
‘‘The bistro is closed, but it is open for race days and venue functions. It is just daytoday meals that are off,’’ he said.
‘‘The bar is not going to be closed at all.’’
It was hoped the hospitality service changes would stimulate patronage and secure the financial future of the club, Mr Conroy said.
The club posted its first positive result in five years at its 2017 general meeting, when it announced a $18,529 operating surplus.
That result came on the back of three losses ranging between $70,000 and $305,000.