Staff at a crisis-hit Perth hotel found out they had lost their jobs in a terse letter marked “to whom it may concern”.
The city’s Lovat Hotel closed without warning on Thursday, throwing couples’ wedding plans into jeopardy and putting a question mark over the venue’s future.
A letter handed to the hotel’s 20-plus employees revealed that operating company SLE Enterprises – run by owner Stuart Shearer – was expected to go into liquidation.
It continued: “To confirm, any member of staff in possession of this letter has been made redundant with immediate effect”.
Mr Shearer has been lying low since the closure, angry staff and customers said.
However, there was also some hope for the Glasgow Road venue, with one businessman stepping forward with an interest in taking over the three-star establishment.
Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart said he had already been approached by a potential buyer who, so far, wishes to remain anonymous.
“I was immediately contacted by staff who wanted to seek advice regarding wages owed and what they next steps may be,” he said. “It is my understanding that staff are due thousands of pounds in unpaid wages, holiday pay and other associated monies.
“This is totally unacceptable and I have concerns about the way in which staff were told about the closure.”
Mr Wishart pledged to contact SLE Enterprises about provisions for staff, and those who have outstanding bookings.
“I have already been contacted by interested parties who have shown an interest in taking over the hotel as a going concern and I really hope that this Perthshire institution could be back up and running as soon as possible.”
Global chain Best Western, which markets and promotes the venue, has promised support for guests and staff left out of pocket.
A spokeswoman said she was sad to hear about the closure, but still does not have full details of what went wrong.
“Our immediate priority has been to help guests who booked through Best Western channels by offering them refunds and cancellations, or finding them accommodation nearby.
“We have also started to contact customers on our system who have future bookings to notify them of the need to make alternative arrangements.”
She said that customers who had events booked would have to deal directly with management.
One employee said there was confusion amongst staff about the future of their jobs.
She said no one had been paid this month, leaving them scrabbling for new work to pay bills.
“I had to ask our line manager what was happening to our jobs,” she said. “She said she didn’t know, but advised me to look for work to get some money in the meantime.
“Everyone is in deep shock.”
Stunned couples hit out
Furious couples have been left in the lurch after the Lovat’s unexpected closure.
Perth woman Barbara Neary and her fiance Richard Michie have already paid hundreds of pounds towards their reception.
“We had booked for August 25 and have already paid about £800, with another £250 still to go,” she said.
“We have had a really tough year and the staff at the hotel had promised us a stress free experience. Well, that hasn’t happened.
“We’ve been trying and trying to get through the manager, but he isn’t picking up or returning our calls.”
The pair had already paid nearly £2,000 towards their big day next month.
Customers who have dealt with hotel staff in recent weeks said there was no indication of looming problems. One dad placed a deposit for his daughter’s wedding on Wednesday – just hours before the shutdown.
