Staff who started a sit-in at a Waterford city pub when they were told it was closing immediately have vowed to remain on the premises until they get redundancy payments.
Nine workers at the Park Inn were called to a meeting with the business’s solicitor on Tuesday afternoon and told the pub was closing immediately as “problems with the bank” could not be resolved. The bar and lounge, which also has B&B accommodation, has been on the market since last year.
According to duty manager Derek Ryan, staff were hoping the pub would be sold and kept open or, in a worst-case scenario, it would close with everyone paid their full redundancy entitlements. "Up to last night I was still in shock," Mr Ryan said yesterday. "But the support from the local community has been unbelievable, and people have been dropping in food and microwaves and plates of sandwiches."
Sleeping in the pub
A demonstration took place last night outside the pub in the Lismore Park area. Staff have worked out a sit-in roster and workers have been sleeping in the pub.
The Park Inn was put up for sale last May by local businessman Robert Tweedy snr for €650,000 following Mr Tweedy’s retirement.
In a statement, solicitor Gerard Halley said it was “with great regret” that he, in his capacity as “attorney for Robert Tweedy Senior”, had to inform the staff of the pub’s closure on Tuesday.
“Unfortunately all efforts made to resolve the problems with the bank have failed, and because there is no money we were left with no other option but to close.”
Staff have been paid up to date and would get help “with their application for redundancy”.