Sadness of hotel worker

A Scarborough hotel worker hit by the collapse of The Specialist Leisure Group has shared his heartache at losing his job.

Jed Higgins was one of 2,500 employed by the group, which announced its collapse last week.

Jed, who worked full-time as a pot-washer at Bay New Southlands Hotel on West Street, said: “It felt like a family there. I was part of a team.”

The 27-year-old, who lives in Scarborough, worked as a kitchen porter at The Rosette and at Pizza Hut before joining the team at Bay New Southlands

Hotel around 18 months ago.

He also did some work at Bay Norbreck Hotel and said he wanted to thank the teams there for giving him the opportunities they did.

He had been on furlough since the hotel had to close because of the coronavirus restrictions but then last week he was dealt the crushing blow that he will never work there again.

Jed is desperate to find a new job but with so much of Scarborough’s employment being seasonal and so many businesses shut because of the pandemic, he is struggling.

He says his minor learning needs mean there are some jobs, such as working with money, that are not suitable for him but he is hard working, a good problem-solver, enthusiastic and keen to learn new skills.

“I can work in care if I get training, supermarkets, reception work or anything else,” he said.

“I am a people’s person and I give 110 per cent in all I do.”

Anyone who can help Jed can email him at jedhiggins74@yahoo.co.uk.