LIFE ISN’T SO SWEET... TUNNOCK’S AND RAMSAY SHUT UP SHOP
BISCUIT giant Tunnock’s has ceased production of its world-famous tea cakes amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The company, which also produces caramel wafers, said its factory in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, will temporarily shut.
Bosses said this was to safeguard the health and wellbeing of their 600 staff and to help stop the spread of Covid-19.
It came as celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, originally from Johnstone, Renfrewshire, laid off more than 500 of his staff after temporarily closing his restaurants due to the pandemic.
The Tunnock’s factory will remain shut at least until Easter – only reopening when the Government deems it safe to do so.
It is believed to be one of the few times production of their products has had to stop since the business was set up in 1 90.
Director Fergus Loudon said: ‘Taking into account the most recent Government advice and guidance, the directors of Tunnock’s Biscuits have decided the health and safety of our workforce, always our priority, can now only be safeguarded by the temporary closure of our factory.
‘We will cease all production and remain closed and review at Easter following Government guidelines. We have considered every alternative but firmly believe closure is the only responsible course of action. As soon as it is safe to do so we will resume production.’
Last year, it was disclosed the company had sold £60million worth of products just as its boss, Boyd Tunnock, 7, was knighted by the Queen. Sir Boyd, who created the tea cake in 1956, said that during the ceremony the Queen had told him she preferred tea cakes to caramel wafers.
Celebrity chef Mr Ramsay was said to have summoned his staff to a meeting where they learned their contracts would be terminated – reportedly leaving many in tears.
They were later sent an email explaining they would be paid up to April 17, giving them the option to appeal the decision.
A spokesman for Gordon Ramsay Restaurants told MailOnline the company ‘is continuing to work tirelessly in exceptional, unprecedented, global circumstances to ensure as many employees as possible are retained by the business’.
Meanwhile, tennis star Sir Andy Murray has announced his luxury Cromlix Hotel near Dunblane, Perthshire, has closed its doors. It employs around 70 people.
In a statement, the hotel said: ‘In order to follow Government guidelines of protecting our guests, staff, friends and families’ health in relation to the spread of Covid-19, we have temporarily closed.’