The owner of Aberfoyle’s luxury Forest Hills Hotel and Spa yesterday started the process of shedding hundreds of jobs.
Macdonald Hotels began a company-wide consultation process with its 2299 employees following the complete shutdown of the UK hospitality industry.
The group, which has 31 hotels and resorts throughout Scotland and England, has seen a total collapse of income over the past three
months.
Its four-star Aberfoyle hotel and spa by Loch Ard has 55 bedrooms and 65 lodges within the grounds.
Group deputy chairman Gordon Fraser said: “We had really hoped to avoid this very unwelcome step but, with no realistic prospects of a return to anything like normal trading for the foreseeable future, we were simply left with no choice.
“Potentially we are looking at around 1800 roles at risk in all areas and at all levels of the business.
“The government’s furlough scheme has helped to a degree but our essential operating costs, insurance and some wages are still having to be paid, meaning our monthly cash outgoings are still running at £2m while we are forced to remain closed.”
He added: “Given the enormous importance of the tourism and hospitality sector for local economies the length and breadth of the UK, it is incumbent upon both the Westminster and Scottish governments to do everything they can to support our industry.”
