JD Wetherspoon chief Tim Martin has urged staff members to find a job at Tesco amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The controversial pub chain boss made the shocking remarks during a video message to workers after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered all pubs across the country to close amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Liverpool Echo reports.
He warns them: "I'm very sorry about the situation that has occurred with our pubs. They've been shut as you know.
"Unprecedented in the last 40 years and it puts everyone in a terribly difficult position.
"And I know you're all sitting there wondering what the hell is happening and over the weekend I had lots of phonecalls with different people and we're trying to sort it out as best we can in this highly unusual situation."
He went on: "I know that all our trade now has gone to supermarkets. Not only our trade, but the trade from cafés, leisure centres, restaurants etc.
"So we have had lots of calls from supermarkets, Tesco alone want 20,000 people to join them. That's half the amount of people who work in our pubs."
The boss continues that staff could wait for government payments to begin or work at one of the supermarkets that are hiring.
"If I'm honest, I could say you can get the furlough payments and stay at home," he added.
"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 we will give you first preference if you want to come back.
"I completely understand if you don't want to wait around for us to reopen but deeply appreciate your work."
He concluded: "I've so much enjoyed talking to you in my pub crawls over the weeks and best of luck."
