Workers at the Coylumbridge Hotel in Aviemore had their contracts terminated yesterday after receiving a letter instructing them to leave the staff accommodation immediately – now the local community are doing their bit to support those affected.
Numerous groups and individuals have been in contact with the Press and Journal offering their support to the hotel workers after Alvaro Garcia spoke of his ordeal.
Sacked staff left homeless after north hotel orders them to ‘vacate immediately’
Accommodation
Manger of the Scotland’s Hotel in Pitlochry, Arthur Monty, has offered the Spaniard free accommodation and food until he can get home to Madrid.
Commenting on the situation, Mr Monty said: “The actions towards Alvaro and others is disgusting, the current landscape is difficult.”
Gabrielle Balfour, who lives in Tomintoul is welcoming the staff to her spare room, she said: “With the current situation you can chose to help people, or you can look out for yourself.
“If you chose the latter, not only are you being selfish, you are robbing yourself of the joy of giving someone a helping hand.
“We don’t stand alone on this planet, and now more than ever, we need to remember that.
“I will happily have someone to stay in my spare room if they need it.”
Pensioner Judith West lives on the Isle of Bute, and also offered the entire staff somewhere safe to stay.
She said: “My own daughter is in the North of Italy having a terrible time. To think of one’s family abroad and struggling is a horrible thought and I just had to offer whatever I could.
“I tried to call the hotel itself last night but got no answer.
“I feel so much for poor Alvaro and all the others. They didn’t deserve this.”
Dundee Programmer, Gavin Reid, said he is willing to pick the staff up and take them to his home just north of the city.
He said: “I live by myself and wanted to offer my spare room. I don’t know where they would be able to go considering the current situation, it’s such a shame.
“I’m glad they’ve found somewhere to stay but hopefully they do know that people care, and maybe it can be some sort of encouragement.”
Food and drink
Aviemore eatery, Subway, has offered free sandwiches and hot or cold drinks to the staff at the Coylumbridge Hotel.
Two adverts are currently displayed on the windows of the shops.
Manager Frank Montague said: “We live locally and work locally and we just wanted to help the people in our community.
“All the staff here were just heartbroken and devastated when the news broke about the hotel workers last night.
“We decided to stick two adverts in our shop windows allowing those affected to come in for a free sandwich and a hot or cold drink.
“In future I think many people will begin to distance themselves from the Britannia property, but for now we just want to help in anyway, big or small.”
Sacked
In a letter to staff, management at the Coylumbridge Hotel blamed the controversial move on the coronavirus outbreak, it read: “Taking the latest government advice, this letter is to confirm that with effect from March 19 2020, your employment has been terminated as your services are no longer required.”
It continued: “You are asked to vacate the hotel accommodations immediately, returning any company property to John Macfarlane, Hotel Controller before leaving the hotel.
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish you every success in securing future employment and thank you for your time at Britannia Hotels.”
