Shock as Sprout staff left jobless
Shocked staff at a sustainable eating cafe in East Kilbride have reportedly been left jobless after the eaterie suddenly shut up shop.
The News understands workers at Sprout were let go five minutes before the Hairmyres cafe was due to reopen after the festive period.
It has been claimed employees were advised to take paid holiday days while Sprout closed temporarily from Friday, December 15, to Wednesday, January 3.
But, as staff prepared to return to work last week they were told they no longer had a job as the St James Retail Park premises would close permanently.
Employee, Ayleigh Wilson, 27, found out her job was gone after working at the cafe since February 2023 ahead of its launch in March.
She told the Glasgow Times: “We were definitely blindsided. I fully believe the owners knew this was the path they wanted to go down.
“I found out this morning via my manager at 9.55am. Prior to this, there was no warning.
“I was told that they were meeting to plan the reopening, but [my manager] was then left with the responsibility of telling me that Sprout was permanently closing. I’m honestly pretty bummed about it.”
She added: “Luckily, I have another job to fall back on, but that isn’t the case for others who handed her notice in specifically to come work for Sprout. My heart really does go out to them.
“I understand they told the chef who was in Spain for Christmas not to bother coming back for the open date we were given.”
One anonymous employee added: “I think they have all known for a while.
“Our final pay will just be extra holidays we were due, but we were made to use them when they decided to shut over Christmas without warning.”
Sprout launched in March 2023 as an all-new Scottish company serving up ‘stunningly hand-made bowls of delicious leafy goodness’.
It also offered healthy smoothies, soft and hot drinks and hot fresh soup.
Alexander Riches, former operations manager at Sprout, said: “Sprout unfortunately has not reopened post-new year.
“While the concept was welcomed by customers, poor trading conditions in 2023 coupled with trademark issues leading to the requirement of a rebrand has led to this decision being taken by the company directors.
“The staff were informed today that they would be getting paid in full for anything and everything they are due, and also offered alternative roles at other units within our control in the interim.”
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