Former workers have reacted with fury after part of M&D’s theme park site opened for business.
It is the first stage in the Taylor family re-opening on the site in a move to “phoenix” the newco theme park from the ashes of the old debt-ridden company.
M&D’s Leisure Ltd went into administration on April 23 - two days before payday - leaving 165 employees penniless after bosses said they could not be furloughed under the government’s coronavirus safety net.
Now Guiseppe’s, a cafe at the Strathclyde Park site, near Motherwell - has re-opened under social-distancing restrictions.
The cafe was part of the M&D’s Leisure, the company which folded leaving staff distraught.
A former worker said:”It is disgusting.
“What they did to us just two days before payday was absolutely horrible.
“Have they no feelings for people who worked for them for years?”
Last week the Daily Record revealed that directors of M&D’s Amusements - which is still trading - set up a new company weeks before the plug was pulled on M&D’s Leisure.
Lochview Theme Park (Scotland) Ltd appears to be a new company set up to buy the assets of M&D’s Leisure Ltd.
M&D’s Amusements has three directors Lillian Connelly, 46, Marc Taylor, 35, and Matthew Taylor, 42.
They are listed as the directors for Lochview Theme Park (Scotland) Ltd.
The sole director of M&D’s Leisure - which owned 25 per cent of M&D’s Amusements is Matty Taylor, 69.
The former worker said:”Before the closure we asked managers how safe our jobs were.
“We were repeatedly told we would be fine, and that if anything did happen to the business we would be furloughed.
“That gave us peace of mind.
“To be treated they way we were two days before we were due to be paid was a disgrace.
“We were left with nothing, absolutely nothing.
“Now we’re seeing this cafe re-opening and it is sickening to see.
“They just really don’t care.
“We’ve lost our inbcome, and on top of that, this is a kick in the teeth.”
Another former worker said:”Some employees were offered other jobs over the past few weeks before the collapse, but were persuaded to stay.
“So they lost the chance to go elsewhere because they were told they had a good future at M&D’s.
“I saw the story about the new company in the Daily Record. No doubt they’ll start up again as soon as they can.
“But I can tell them now, don’t try to get your old workers back because we are raging.
“I would never work for that mob again.
“And I hope old suppliers give them a wide berth as well.”
Yesterday a photo of a sign for Guiseppe’s appeared on a social media account of Matthew Taylor.
It said:”We are open” and detailed social distancing measures.
Another former staff member said:”We don’t care what Guiseppe’s actual company is. It is irrelevant since all the companies are owned by the Taylor family.
“What happened to us is a disgrace.”
A spokesperson for M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park said: “In line with government restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the theme park and its facilities remain temporarily closed to the public.
“However, Giuseppe’s Coffee Shop, located at the front of the building and can be accessed directly, is now open. It is offering a takeaway service only and adhering to all social distancing guidelines.”
