MORE than 100 bar workers’ jobs are in jeopardy after a large hospitality employer in Manchester went into liquidation last night.

Some 125 people were thrown out of work when 11 bars and restaurants across the city closed down without warning, following the collapse of hospitality group Mark Andrew Developments (MAD).

The company ran venues across the Northern Quarter area of Manchester, such as Tusk, Rosylee and Hula, and owned a string of establishments in the suburbs of Heaton Moor and West Didsbury.

Former staff have taken to social media to seek work.

Labour councillor Sam Wheeler, whose ward includes the Northern Quarter, told the Star: “This is the nature of insecure, un-unionised work in much of Manchester’s hospitality sector. Workers who have been loyal to a company for years have lost their jobs because of failings elsewhere.

“Now, in the run-up to Christmas, 125 more Mancunians are now unemployed.

“We need to question the kind of economy we are creating here.”

A former worker at Hula, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Star that she had found out about her job being axed through Facebook.

“It is a massive shock," she said. “As far as I knew, my work had plans to celebrate Halloween and my manager had spoken to me about Christmas shifts.

“Mostly, we’re just upset about it being so close to Christmas and we’re all just trying to help each other find work.”

MAD director Jonathan Hawkins confirmed the closure yesterday, but, when the Star called for comment, the company’s telephone line had been disconnected.

Unite hospitality organiser Anthony Curley said: “This is a devastating blow for workers who have powered Manchester’s local economy.

“With it being so close to Christmas, these workers will understandably be very worried about what the future holds.

“It is very sad that things were left to get to a stage that all venues were closed and workers have been let go in this way.

“Unite will wait for the company to make a formal statement before commenting further, but we urge any workers affected by the announcement to get in touch with us.”