Fundraiser for city bar workers left out of pocket

THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised for city centre hospitality workers who have been left “destitute” after not receiving full furlough payments.

Generous Glaswegians have donated more than £3000 to employees at AdLib and Blue Dog, after allegations were brought forward that they have been left without cash since October last year.

A total of 24 workers between the two units are thought to be affected.

Alastair Beattie, who is the manager at Blue Dog, said: “The fundraiser is really the only way we can get some money in, otherwise it’s hard to make ends meet at the moment.

“We have been told that by the end of February, we won’t be getting any money – it will be completely cut off.

“So, this is why we’ve set up the fundraiser.

“Like everyone else, we need money to pay our bills and rent. We’ve been at a lost cause with it all, we’re completely in the dark.”

Last month, we told how a union that represents the staff claimed workers between the two units are owed “hundreds of thousands” in unpaid wages and furlough.

Unite the Union launched a campaign to recoup the alleged unpaid wages

A spokeswoman for the owners of AdLib and Blue Dog said: “The owners of AdLib and Blue Dog welcomed the intervention of Stewart

McDonald MP on Monday of this week as he raised in parliament the delays from HMRC on furlough.

“They also welcome the new commitment made by Paymaster General Penny Mordaunt to ensure their issues are addressed.

“In order to maintain employment... the owners, from their own personal and business funds, paid the furlough amounts to staff until the end of October.

“The owners understand this has been extremely difficult for the employees of Blue Dog and Ad Lib and the owners are desperate for a resolution.”

TWO woman who brutally attacked a teenage boy with a bottle and then stamped on his head were jailed yesterday.

Agnes Bowers, 27, and Nora Holmes, 25, carried out the assault to danger of life on the 17-year-old victim at his home in Johnstone.

Holmes smashed a bottle of vodka off his head before the pair punched, kicked and stamped on his head.

Holmes also tried to write on his leg using broken glass.

They pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to assault to his severe injury on October 4, 2019, permanent disfigurement and danger of his life.

The court heard they carried out the assault because of rumours about their victim.

Judge Lord Burns jailed Holmes who he said was the instigator of the attack for 43 months.

Bowers, from Roystonhill, was jailed for 37 months and ordered to be monitored in the community for two years after her release.

Lord Burns said: “You both assaulted this young man because of a rumour which may or may not be well-founded.”

Prosecutor Paul Kearney said: “Holmes began an assault by smashing a vodka bottle on his head.

“She then dragged him from the couch and the two accused kicked, punched and stamped on his head then kicked and punched him on the body.

“Holmes repeatedly struck his head off a wall.”

The crying victim pleaded with the pair for the attack to stop, but was cut with broken glass.

One witness told police: “It looked to me like they were trying to write something on his legs with the glass.”

Officers arrived and were told by Holmes that “things got out of control.”