The Auberge at Jerbourg closes with 11 job losses

Operator Heartstone Inns said in late December that it was looking at the business and was entering a period of consultation.

General manager Daniel Mihalache had hoped a business plan he had prepared would be sufficient to keep the premises operating, but said he had not had the opportunity to present it before the announcement was made of the restaurant’s closure.

The property is owned by local businessman and chairman of Heartstone Inns Andrew Haining, who bought it in September last year from The Liberation Group, which acquired it in 2013.

Mr Mihalache said he was hoping Mr Haining would allow him to make use of the site before any new occupants moved in and intended to contact him to discuss his idea.

His plan is to set up a Guernsey Academy of Hospitality where waiters, bar staff and others could be trained.

He said the staff were not so much disappointed at losing their jobs, but because they had plans for the restaurant’s business in the year to come.

But he thought there was a good chance that they would find employment: ‘I’m grateful for all the hard work they did there,’ he said.

‘They did the best they could under the circumstances.

‘We know there are opportunities in Guernsey.’

Mr Mihalache has worked in the local hospitality industry for several years and was previously at St Pierre Park before taking over as manager at The Auberge in April last year.

Florin Pavel took over the role of head chef at The Auberge four years ago. He is hoping to find another job in Guernsey, particularly since his locally-resident fiancee is due to give birth next month.

He lives in the island under licence, which he said has a few months remaining. ‘I still have three months, but if I don’t find a job I’ll have to leave,’ he said. ‘I hope I’ll find something.’

The decision to close The Auberge was announced on Wednesday afternoon, but it did not come as a big shock to the staff members: ‘I knew it. All of us knew it,’ he said.

The closure took effect immediately but Mr Pavel said no bookings had been taken pending the decision.

n No comment was available from Heartstone Inns yesterday and Mr Haining could not be contacted.