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A Wetherspoons pub in Crystal Palace was vandalised overnight after the owner of the pub chain indicated staff may not be paid due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The words "Pay up" and "Pay your staff" were daubed on The Postal Order, on Westow Street, between Tuesday night (March 24) and Wednesday morning.

The graffiti was written on the front windows of the pub in white and red spray paint.

It comes after JD Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin sent a video to all staff on Monday (March 23) telling them he will pay employees until the pubs last opened (Friday, March 20), but there will be no further payments until the Government fulfils its promise to cover 80 per cent of the wages of workers affected.

The company, which employs 40,000 people, shut all its pubs on Friday after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and bars to shut until further notice in response to the coronavirus crisis.

In Mr Martin’s video, he suggested staff should find employment elsewhere while the pubs are closed, and even suggested they apply with Tesco.

He also sent updated information about the company’s bonus scheme – which was due to be paid out on Friday – saying no payments will be made until the reopening of the pubs.

The picture of the vandalised pub in Crystal Palace was posted on Twitter by Sophia Money-Coutts on Wednesday morning.

The tweet said: "The Wetherspoons in Crystal Palace this morning..."

(Image: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

"Respect to whoever did this," one person replied.

Another said: "Whoever did that should get a medal."

A petition has now been launched calling for staff to be given full pay. It has gained more than 9,000 signatures in less than 24 hours.

In the video to staff, Mr Martin - who has a reported net worth of £500m - said: "I’m very sorry about the situation that’s occurred with our pubs. I know that almost all our trade now has gone to supermarkets.

“Not only our trade, but the trade from cafes, leisure centres and restaurants. So we have had lots of calls from supermarkets – Tesco alone want 20,000 people to join them.

(Image: Henry Nicholls WPA Pool/Getty Images)

“That’s half the number of people who work in our pubs. If I’m honest, I say you can get the furlough payments and stay at home.

“If you’re offered a job at a supermarket, many of you will want to do that. If you think it’s a good idea, do it.

“I can completely understand it. If you’ve worked for us before I promise you we will give you first preference if you want to come back.”

In response to the vandalised pub, a spokesperson for Wetherspoons said: "No one has the right to vandalise one of the company’s pubs. This does not help the situation in any way.

“The company is dealing with this unprecedented situation as best it can.

“Many companies in the hospitality industry have already laid off staff, however, Wetherspoon has paid staff up to date and is waiting on the Government to bring its payment scheme into operation so that it can continue to pay staff.

“We acknowledge the petition but the union and the signatories also need to accept the financial position which Wetherspoon finds itself in, with all of its pubs closed.”

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