Fears for A75 diner jobs

Diner chain Little Chef announce closures

JOBS are set to go with the closure of a Little Chef restaurant on the outskirts of Dumfries -- described as ‘another blow’ for the area.

In the region of ten members of staff at the Annan Road branch are understood to have learned they could be out of work by the end of the month, as the national roadside restaurant company closes 67 of its 161 branches with the loss of 500 to 600 jobs.

Addressing the closures of restaurants which have been ‘trading unprofitably for a number of years’, Little Chef chairman Graham Sims said: “Despite very hard work from some very committed colleagues we have been unable to lift the performances of these sites to a level where they are viable.

“Consequently, following a thorough review in which we considered all the options it is with regret that we have had to close a number of sites.”

Concern has been voiced at the closure of the Dumfries branch, with its accompanying job losses and possible impact on the neighbouring filling station and Travelodge hotel.

Labour councillor Colin Smyth said: “It’s obviously another blow for the industry in Dumfries and Galloway, and a real concern about yet more job losses given the current level of unemployment and the difficulty people are going to have finding alternative employment.”

He added: “The main hope you would have is that they would find another buyer for the site and keep the cafe area open.”

Travelodge sold the Little Chef chain in 2005 but retain ownership of the building on Annan Road.

A spokeswoman for Travelodge said: “We were notified of the closure before they were announced, but there are no plans at present for the site.”

Little Chef say they are in discussions with owners of properties where restaurants are set to close, and that they will look to offer staff alternative employment with the Little Chef Group.





NEWSDESK: 01461-202417

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