Christies Group closes two restaurants
THE Christies Group has temporarily closed two restaurants because of the coronavirus crisis, with the short-term loss of 46 jobs.
Shutting both The Boathouse and Villa due to a fall in customers was a decision made with regret by the group’s managing director, but he has said that jobs for his staff will return once they reopen.
‘In the light of the unprecedented situation created by the Covid-19 pandemic we had no option at all but to take the action we did,’ said Christophe Gaultier.
‘We take the health and safety of our staff and customers very seriously, but we also must be cautious of the business’s survival during this extremely difficult time.’
He said they had considered other measures, such as reducing hours, but this had not been enough.
‘We have lost several hundred customers over the last two weeks which unfortunately has resulted in minimal hours being given to our staff,’ he added.
‘With this significant decline in business, and borders closing across Europe, we wanted our staff to be given the option to go home and be with their families before it is too late for them to do so.
Staff who had been told of the fate of their jobs and the business said they were disappointed but understood the reasons behind both the closures and the loss of their jobs at this time.
‘It’ll be hard for them because we understand how important tourism is,’ said one overseas European staff member, who had been told they had the option to go home.
Opening hours for the rest of the group’s establishment’s, Christie’s and Crabby Jack’s, are under constant review.
n Coco’s on the South Esplanade has also closed for the time being, while keeping the takeaway side of its business open.
