Marston’s warns ‘2150 jobs at risk’ amid new restrictions

Marston’s pub group is preparing to lay off 2150 staff members as a result of the new three-tiered lockdown system. 

The company said that since the first lockdown was lifted 10,000 staff members have been  able return to work, however because of new restrictions imposed this week 2150 pub-based roles currently subject to furlough are “going to be impacted.”

The group said the government’s new “traffic light” lockdown system, which forces hospitality venues in areas that are most affected by Covid-19 to close, “undermine consumer confidence and create uncertainty”.

Marston’s currently has eight pubs in Scotland which were forced to shutter this month, and 18 pubs in the “high risk” Liverpool region, however these can remain open as they serve food. 

According to the group’s annual trading report total pub sales for the year were £515m, 34% below last year, it comes in the same week competitors Mitchells and Butlers announced they were beginning redundancy talks with staff, after the chain reported a £121m loss in sales. 

Ralph Findlay, CEO ,said: “This year has been testing on many fronts, predominantly from having to navigate the consequences of COVID-19. 

“There is much uncertainty ahead, the majority of which is outside of our control, however we will continue to focus on the safety of our teams and guests. Looking beyond the immediate challenges, we look forward to our future as a focused pub operator, returning to growth when trading conditions allow and realising the opportunities which are open to us over the medium to longer term.”

It has also been announced today London and Essex have been put under “second tier” restriction levels.