On The Wight understands that over fifty people were unexpectedly made redundant last night at the Isle of Wight holiday destination Gurnard Pines.
On The Wight spoke to one of the now-ex-Gurnard Pines staff members this morning, to hear the details of what happened yesterday.
It all started just before 3pm
At a little before 3pm the staff that were on site were told that there would be an unscheduled staff meeting at 4pm. They were asked to phone their colleagues that weren’t at work that day, asking them to also come to the meeting.
All staff were asked to go to the main function room – the same room where they had all been gathered earlier in the year, when the then-new owners had taken over, assuring them that everyone would be keeping their job.
Waiting nervously, people joked among themselves that perhaps they were all going to get fired.
When all staff had gathered, they were told straight away that everyone would be made redundant, as the company had become insolvent.
“Everyone was in utter shock”
The ex-staff member said to us, “Everyone was in utter shock.”
Those present were told that a new company would be taking it over (Gurnard Pines Holiday Village Limited) the next day.
The staff were also informed that on Monday everyone would be getting redundancy packages and be paid for any remaining holiday.
One of those who used to work there told us, “My understanding is that there is supposed to be process for redundancy. Not for it to just happen.”
By 5pm the meeting ended and all of the staff who been laid off dispersed.
Still open – but with no staff?
We understand that Gurnard Pines remains open and there are holiday makers on site. Quite how the site is functioning if all staff were made redundant yesterday is unclear.
New owners statement
Terry Prosser from Terry Prosser Accounting Solutions Limited and also a director of Gurnard Pines Holiday Village Limited sent On The Wight the following statement:
Gurnard Pines has been taken over by Gurnard Pines Holiday Village Limited on 31 October 2012. The holiday village is open for business as usual and I would like to assure anyone that had booked a holiday that their reservation will be honoured. We would like to say sorry to anyone that was inconvenienced for the facilities closing two hours earlier than normal on Wednesday evening so that the previous operator could have a full staff meeting but can confirm that facilities were re opened the following morning.
We have spent a long time working alongside the landlord and funders and believe we have a rescue package suitable to keep the doors open to keep the transition seamless to our owners, members and holidaymakers. I am confident that under the supervision of our new management structure the business will perform and will be looking to improve the facilities in due course.
Gurnard Pines is a unique holiday destination and I would like to state that we are looking to the long term future and hope that anyone that stays there will recommend us to their friends.
I would also like to add that any functions that have been booked such as weddings or parties will be honoured and all classes that would usually operate in the gym will still be on. Please continue to use the facilities.
Our thoughts go out to all those who have lost their jobs.
