Firm behind Brewers Fayre blasted by union over ‘plans to cut 200 jobs in Scotland’

Hospitality giant Whitbread has been slammed by a trade union over reports they are planning to cut around 200 jobs across Scotland.

The firm that owns Brewers Fayre, is reportedly looking to cut around 1,500 jobs across the UK and close over a hundred restaurants, as part of a UK-wide cost-cutting drive, but have not yet confirmed what sites will be affected.

Unite are claiming that many of the workers who could be affected have not been told which sites will close.

This is despite claims that redundancies could take place as soon as July 4, with the union claiming Whitbread have failed to properly consult workers, with some employees fearing that they could lose homes tied to their workplaces, reports the Daily Record.

In and around Glasgow, the firm operates Brewers Fayres such as Buchanan Gate in Stepps, Bellziehill Farm in Bellshill, The Phoenix Park in Linwood and The Point in Greenock.

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The hospitality giant, which also owns Premier Inn, denied the allegations and stated that it would try to find alternative jobs for anyone affected by the cuts and expect to “retain a significant proportion”.

However, union bosses say they have informed Whitbread that they are considering launching employment tribunal claims for unfair dismissal for affected workers from restaurants including Brewers Fayre, Table Table and Beefeater outlets.

Lead Organiser for Unite the union’s hospitality sector, Bryan Simpson, said: “The way in which our members have been treated by Whitbread during this entire redundancy process is morally reprehensible.

“Our members found out about their jobs via the media on 30th April, however we have evidence which suggests that the company have been planning these redundancies since at least 1st December 2023, with some venues having contractors assess value of sold sites for over a year.

“Despite refusing to answer questions from their workers and their union, the company now wishes to bulldoze through a consultation process which has been neither genuine nor meaningful with the first terminations happening on 4th July.

“Some of our members look set to lose their homes as well as their jobs, as live-in workers will be served eviction notices soon after they are terminated.

“As well as all of this, the company looks set to pay-out the bare minimum redundancy packages to the vast majority of these 1500 workers across the UK with only senior managers and head office workers receiving enhanced packages, which could open the company up to multiple indirect discrimination claims.

“As the union for Whitbread workers, we will be doing everything we can to challenge these unnecessary job losses – and win maximum compensation for our members who are unfairly dismissed.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham accused Whitbread of “generating runaway profits while trampling workers”.

A spokesperson for Whitbread said: “We do not accept these allegations. We have a comprehensive and transparent collective consultation process, and are engaging directly with elected representatives and the individuals potentially affected.

“The consultation process is still ongoing and as part of this we are seeking to find alternative opportunities wherever possible through the roles created by this programme and our existing recruitment process that makes circa 15,000 hires each year.

“We expect to retain a significant proportion of those who wish to remain with us and are providing dedicated support to our teams.”

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