Pub chain Wetherspoon has warned its airport staff that hundreds of their jobs are at risk of redundancy.
The company has written to 1000 workers to say between 400 and 450 positions could be axed in six locations.
The cuts are due to take place at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted and Birmingham airports.
“The decision is mainly a result of a downturn in trade in these pubs, linked with the large reduction in passenger numbers using the airports,” said John Hutson, the company’s chief executive.
“We should emphasise that no firm decisions have been made at this stage,” he added, saying that Wetherspoon will listen to its staff to reduce the number of compulsory redundancies.
Less than two months ago the company announced it was planning to make between 110 to 130 head office workers redundant.
“Wetherspoon is proposing to collectively consult with employees through an employment representative committee, which will be established for this purpose,” Mr Hutson added.
Wetherspoon’s shares had been trading down slightly on the news on Tuesday morning, however they spiked to 1.3% up after the job cuts announcement.
Experts have warned thousands of jobs in the hospitality sector are still at risk as the government’s furlough scheme is set to come to a close before November.
It means that employers who are not doing well enough to bring their staff back to work will likely consider whether to announce redundancies.
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