Jurys Inn confirms consultation process with up to 400 roles at risk

Hotel group Jurys Inn and Leonardo Hotels has confirmed it has entered a consultation process with staff, with up to 400 roles at risk.

The group has 48 hotels across the UK and Ireland, 36 of which have reopened, and 3,500 staff. Fewer than 20 of those roles are understood to be at risk across the group’s Irish properties, meaning most of the roles at risk are in the UK. No hotel closures are planned.

With tourism and international travel unlikely to return to normal for some time and the group already impacted financially by the government-enforced closure of its properties over the last three months, Jurys Inn said it could be two years before it returns to pre-Covid occupancy levels and is therefore taking steps to ensure its cost base is sustainable.

Jason Carruthers, managing director of Jurys Inn & Leonardo Hotels UK and Ireland, said: “As with all within the hospitality industry, and beyond, we are operating in a drastically changed landscape, so it’s imperative that we put the structures in place now that will allow us to operate in this new environment. While the decision is regrettable, and will be very difficult for colleagues that are impacted, it is important that we take a series of steps now to ensure our cost base is sustainable, consistent with the level of anticipated business, and to ensure our resources are aligned with the current and expected requirements of our group. Our key priority now is to fully support those that are being impacted by this.

“While several of our hotels are open, they are operating at a fraction of what they were prior to Covid-19. Regardless, we have a robust plan in place that will look to ensure we rebound in a stronger position than before the pandemic. In addition, we have a strong portfolio of hotels in great locations that are well positioned and supported by very talented people. All of this will support us on our journey back to normal trading conditions.”

Jurys Inn is the latest hotel group to announce redundancies, with job losses either confirmed or possible across hotel groups including Firmdale, Britannia, Macdonald Hotels, Apex, Brownsword and English Lakes Hotels.

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