The sudden closure of The View Cafe in Aviemore has left staff members shocked and jobless just days before Christmas. The cafe, a popular local establishment, entered provisional liquidation on December 16, 2023, with all twelve employees made redundant. According to reports from The Strathy, the decision was made with minimal notice, leaving many former staff scrambling for alternative employment.
Begbies Traynor, an insolvency practitioner, has been appointed as the provisional liquidator as part of a Scottish court liquidation process. Staff members expressed their frustration over the abrupt nature of the closure, revealing that some received as little as one day’s notice. For instance, former front-of-house manager Kieran Campbell stated, “I think a lot of us were aware that we weren’t getting the footfall that we needed, especially during the summer we weren’t as busy as we needed to be, in order to save for the winter.”
The emotional impact of the closure was palpable among the staff. Julie Kay, the longest-serving employee, voiced her anger over the loss of wages and pension contributions, noting, “I’m angry that all the staff’s pension money has been taken, our holiday money, our tips, our wages, we don’t have any of that.” The situation has left many former employees feeling betrayed after years of dedication to the cafe.
The closure came as a surprise to many. Some staff members were unaware that the company was facing financial difficulties until they received notifications of insolvency via email. One employee reported not being contacted directly, highlighting the lack of communication from management during this critical period.
For those affected, the consequences have been immediate and significant. Owen Bowie, who had taken on additional responsibilities as a kitchen porter, described his experience of being informed of his termination after a ten-hour shift. “I was told that the company had been failing and they were going to have to let me go,” he recounted. He is now seeking work with the Royal Mail to make ends meet.
The owner of The View Cafe, Aaron Evans, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the closure. The sudden loss of jobs in a festive season known for its community spirit has left many in Aviemore disheartened.
As former employees adapt to their new circumstances, the story of The View Cafe serves as a reminder of the fragility of businesses and the impact of economic challenges on local communities.
