Staff at a Tayside hotel have been told they are being laid off until the summer, due to a downturn in the Chinese economy.
The news was broken to the 17 workers at the Royal Hotel in Blairgowrie, just a week before it is due to shut for three and a half months.
A poster has been put up at the venue, confirming the move.
Community leaders said the hotel had a Chinese owner and its business from the Far East had been hit by the coronavirus outbreak.
Staff found out on Wednesday that they will be out of work from February 19.
All employees have been told they will be welcomed back at the Victorian three star hotel in the summer, if they choose to return.
The firm’s owners, the Milton group, has blamed the recent Chinese economic downturn for their decision.
The firm also runs the Birnam Hotel at nearby Dunkeld. Staff there have been told their jobs are safe.
A post on Facebook later read: “Just to advise everyone the hotel is closing down due to Chinese downturn, and will reopen in June with same owners. And no other reasons.”
A member of staff at the 36-bedroom hotel said: “The decision was made due to the Chinese downturn as the company is owned by a Chinese businessman.
“We will be closing from February 19 to June 1. It’s disappointing, we’re busy all year.
“We have been advised that we will be kept on and will have contracts to go back to, but we’re being laid off until June.
“We found out on Wednesday. We had a busy year last year with golfers and fishermen, and we were hoping to be even busier this year.”
The Allan Street hotel hosts a number of community groups, which will now have to find somewhere else to meet.
Blairgowrie and The Glens councillor Tom McEwan has extended his sympathies to those groups, but first and foremost to the staff.
The SNP member said: “The Royal is a big resource for the town. People come for meals and lots of different groups use the facilities.
“Where are staff going to go? My heart goes out to them. For the next 14 weeks, they’ll have no money coming in and don’t know about the contracts they’ll be going back to.
“A lot of the hotel’s business from the Far East has been curtailed due to the coronavirus outbreak.”
One group which is looking for a new base is the Blairgowrie and Rattray Arts for Wellbeing team.
A spokesperson said: “Due to the closure of the Milton Royal Hotel, we will be looking into the music session and the possibility of a new venue.
“We wish to pass on our thanks to all the wonderful staff at the hotel for looking after us all during our monthly music session.
“They have provided fantastic hospitality and have contributed to the amazing, welcoming atmosphere and our success.”
