By Scott Wright
A SCOTTISH hotel group, which committed to fund its own furlough scheme before the Government version was unveiled in March, will continue the Eat Out to Help Out offer beyond its official expiry date, declaring the move will help it retain jobs.
RAD Hotel Group, the owner of six properties including the Lochside House Hotel in Ayrshire and Carlton Hotel in Prestwick, has had a huge response to the offer, which has entitled diners to a 50 per cent discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, up to £10 per person, throughout August.
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Aaron Kyle, sales and marketing director, said that instead of its venues each hosting an average of 120 covers per day between lunch and dinner, they each have been welcoming up to 440, with the increase in custom giving it the scope to bring staff back from furlough.
The group, which in normal times derives the bulk of its business from weddings, has 450 staff on its books. While it had 365 employees on furlough during the week beginning July 30, that number has now been reduced 271 to ensure it has sufficient staff to cater for the upsurge in restaurant business. It will now continue the offer throughout September, on the same terms, despite the Government scheme expiring on August 31.
READ MORE: Pub giant warns sales will be ‘subdued’ after Eat Out to Help Out ends
Mr Kyle said RAD would like the UK Government to continue supporting the offer throughout September and October, believing it would help protect jobs in the hospitality sector. He said: “If they do not, you might have a lot of people going back on furlough. For us, we want people back at work and feeling part of the team.”
RAD owners Robert and Vivien Kyle had committed to funding their own furlough scheme before Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the UK Government version on March 21. The company, which had already decided to close its venues before lockdown began, had pledged to pay 50% of staff wages while they remained closed.
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