(Alliance News) - JD Wetherspoon PLC on Thursday joined a long list of UK consumer chains in announcing job cuts, as Covid-19 pandemic wreaks havoc on the pub and restaurant industry.
Shares in the FTSE 250-listed company were down 0.7% at 911.50 pence each in London.
The pub chain operator said it could cut between 110 to 130 out of the total 417 head office roles; however, no firm decisions have been made at this stage.
"The decision is mainly a result of a downturn in trade in the pub and restaurant industry generally, a reduction in the company's rate of expansion, and a reduction in the number of pubs operated from 955 in 2015 to 873 today," Chief Executive Officer John Hutson said.
"All head office employees will be affected by the process, with the exception of those working directly in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland," he added.
The redundancies do not affect staff working in the company's 873 pubs.
Hutson said the company would work with staff who want to take voluntary redundancy or early retirement, transfer to a pub-based position, flexible working options, reduced working hours, or unpaid periods of absence.
"Wetherspoon is proposing to collectively consult with employees through an employment representative committee, which will be established for this purpose," the CEO explained.
By Tapan Panchal; tapanpanchal@alliancenews.com
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Wetherspoon (J.D) (JDW)