Holiday park staff made redundant days before Christmas

Staff at a holiday park in Argyll and Bute have been told they are being made redundant just days before Christmas.

Up to 14 members of staff were told their jobs at Drimsynie Holiday Park were at risk on Monday, with some already receiving notices of redundancy.

The park is moving to a new operating schedule, meaning it will close over winter.

Argyll Holidays was established in 1967 and was taken over by Cove UK in 2021.

One member of staff who has received their notice of redundancy told BBC Scotland News it had come as a massive shock.

They said they were told their job was at risk on 1 December - 48 hours after the staff Christmas party.

They said: "There is a feeling at the park that this might just be the first round of redundancies.

"There has been talk since October so now it feels like they've been stalling so staff didn't quit before the busy Christmas period."

The source added some staff impacted have been employed for less than two years and therefore are not entitled to a redundancy package.

They also shared concerns for employees who have accommodation provided by their employer.

The park will close between January and March rather than a previous 12-month operating period.

Substantial pressures

A spokesperson for Drimsynie Holiday Park said: "We have commenced a consultation process at our park and have been in discussion with staff about how proposed future changes may affect them.

"Regrettably, we are currently proposing that approximately 14 positions may move from permanent to seasonal contracts in early 2024 and we recognise that this will cause uncertainty to some team members.

"The seasonal positions will be open to new and past members of the team Drimsynie, although we fully recognise this will be up to each individual to decide whether it is something they would wish to consider."

The BBC has seen a notice of redundancy/termination of employment letter already received by one employee.

The spokesperson was unable to confirm how many of the 14 had received these letters.

The spokesperson added the move to seasonal operating times comes as the park tries to "adjust to substantial inflationary pressures, including higher energy, staff and maintenance costs" and at a time when "customers are also tightening their belts".

The Argyll Holidays group operate eight holiday parks across the Argyll and Bute, including Hunter's Quay Holiday Park in Dunoon and Loch Lomond Holiday Park in Arrochar. Parent company Cove UK owns a further five caravan parks across the UK.

It is understood redundancies have also occurred at some of the group's other holidays parks since the seasonal timetable was adopted.

Argyll Holidays is one of the largest private employers in Argyll and Bute.