The number of workers who have lost their jobs in the ‘shocking’ move by Britannia is unknown (Picture: Twitter/Google Maps)

Britannia Hotels allegedly sacked and evicted workers across the UK as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Initially the company said that evictions of workers from Coylumbridge Aviemore Hotel in the Scottish Highlands was just an ‘administrative error’. However, staff at other hotels run by the chain got in touch with Metro.co.uk to tell us that staff had also been fired and made homeless at Basingstoke Country Hotel, Pontins in Prestatyn, Pakefield, Brean Sands, Camber Sands, Sand Bay and Southport.

Some workers alleged that security staff were sent round to turn off the power to force the workers out of staff accommodation. A worker speculated that around 100 ‘blue coat’ entertainment workers could have been made homeless and hundreds of jobs lost, as long-serving staff were summarily sacked in letters, seen by Metro.co.uk, as the Covid-19 pandemic escalated.



Exact numbers have not been confirmed, with Britannia ignoring multiple requests for comment last night and this morning. But it is aware of the accusations, including that members of the security team went around the Pontins Prestatyn site cutting power to staff accommodation yesterday, as blue coats were kicked out of their homes.


One of the letters sent out, suggesting the company is within its rights to ‘lay you off without pay’

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Pontins Prestatyn is among the sites where workers have been made homeless (Picture: Google Maps)

The company also owns around 60 hotels nationwide and local newspapers across the country are reporting closures – including the Ashey Hotel in Hale, as well as The Metropole and The Savoy hotels in Blackpool. It has reportedly offered the government some sites to help with the coronavirus outbreak – but it is unclear if they are asking for payment.

The revelations follow a company statement which claimed a letter to Aviemore staff was sent by mistake and only to ‘a few’ employees, who received ‘incorrect correspondence’.

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However, numerous other staff have received letters of the same nature at different sites and been told to leave.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk, the staff member said the real number of job losses would be far higher if temporary staff on zero hours contracts are included – alongside the 20 – 25 permanent staff at their site.

Explaining that they were ‘locked out and told not to talk to the press’, they said they had been told they would receive £29 a day for five days.

The staff member – who is scared to reveal their identity for fear of endangering their redundancy package – continued: ‘It’s the same at every park.

‘It’s shocking the way they are treating staff, it’s a fire sale. They have not even given us any holiday or anything (that could avoid them being laid off).

‘I think they might be saying it as a way to get people out of a contract and then if they do have them back it will be on their terms.’

Another employee, who has kept their job but also wants to remain anonymous, told Metro.co.uk: ‘Britannia have sacked so many people on the spot without even one hour’s notice and without any pay.

One of the letter sent to staff yesterday – which Britannia claimed was an ‘administration error’

The Coylumbridge Aviemore Hotel where Britannia said an ‘administration error’ had been made when initially asked about reports of staff being made homeless (Picture: Britannia Hotels)

‘It has left so many people in a really bad situation who were on minimum wage like myself, zero hour contracts and even the laid off people will receive £0 from Britannia/Pontins.



‘I think it’s a disgrace.’

Another sacked worker wrote on Facebook: ‘Today has been such a sad day.

‘I feel heartbroken like my work and friends to be told we don’t have jobs and when the park will reopen it’s been like part of a great family and a great few years at Pontins.’

Another Facebook post reads: ‘We’ve temporarily lost our jobs, our homes, our best friends colleagues.’

In a letter sent to staff, Britannia – voted the UK’s ‘worst hotel chain’ for seven years running – wrote: ‘It is with regret that the company finds itself in a situation where it is left with no alternative but to consider layoff.

‘The right to lay you off without pay or put you on short time working is contained in the employee handbook.

‘The company reserves the right to lay you off without pay, where no work is available for whatever reason.

‘During any period of lay off you must keep in contact with the company and be available to work if required.’

One letter, dated yesterday, says the ‘temporary’ lay off will begin immediately and that employees will be given £29 a day for up to five days.

Pontins Camber Sands Holiday Park is another of the sites involved (Picture: Google Maps)

It adds: ‘You are required to be available for work as and when required.’

The sackings came before the government announced measures aiming to stop companies laying off employees – including an unprecedented move to pay up to 80% of wages.

Dr James David, the MP for Vale of Clwyd/Dyffryn Clwyd, told Metro.co.uk: ‘Yesterday I was shown a copy of a letter sent out by Britannia Hotels, advising all their permanent staff at Pontin’s sites around the country, of immediate lay-off. The letter showed little compassion and understanding of the situation many of its loyal workers of sometimes a number of decades now find themselves in.


‘Pontin’s had made no effort to contact me in advance of this announcement and this is very disappointing. I would strongly urge the company to reassess the position in light of the ‘Chancellor’s announcement today that the government will meet 80% of the salary of those unable to work due to the impact of the pandemic.’

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