Pub giant JD Wetherspoon is set to cut jobs at airport sites due to lower footfall. The news comes as the sector faces fresh restrictions with pubs due to close at 10pm from Thursday.
Chief executive John Hutson said, “The company has written to 1,000 people employed in its pubs at six airports (Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow) to inform them that a possible 400 to 450 positions are at risk of redundancy.
“The decision is mainly a result of a downturn in trade in these pubs, linked with the large reduction in passenger numbers using the airports.
“We should emphasise that no firm decisions have been made at this stage. The company will listen to suggestions from staff to help avoid or reduce the number of compulsory redundancies which are required.'
Hutson finished, “Wetherspoon is proposing to collectively consult with employees through an employment representative committee, which will be established for this purpose.”
