Scarborough hotel worker at Bay New Southlands tells of his heartache after holiday firm goes bust

Jed Higgins was one of 2,500 employed by The Specialist Leisure Group, which announced its collapse last week.

The firm operated several holiday businesses and owned 44 hotels across the country, including Bay Norbreck Hotel and Bay New Southlands Hotel in Scarborough and Bay Royal Hotel in Whitby.

All trips have been cancelled and the hotels are now permanently shut.

Jed, who worked full-time as a pot-washer at Bay New Southlands Hotel on West Street, said: “It felt like a family there. I was part of a team.”

The 27-year-old, who lives in Scarborough, worked as a kitchen porter at The Rosette pub and at Pizza Hut before joining the team at Bay New Southlands Hotel around 18 months ago.

He also did some work at Bay Norbreck Hotel and said he wanted to thank the teams there for giving him the opportunities they did.

He had been on furlough since the hotel had to close because of the coronavirus restrictions but then last week he was dealt the crushing blow that he will never work there again.

Jed is desperate to find a new job but with so much of Scarborough’s employment being seasonal and so many businesses shut because of the pandemic, he is struggling.

He says his minor learning needs mean there are some jobs, such as working with money, that are not suitable for him but he is hard working, a good problem-solver, enthusiastic and keen to learn new skills.

“I can work in care if I get training, supermarkets, reception work or anything else,” he said.

“I am a people's person and I give 110 per cent in all I do.”

Anyone who can help Jed can email him at [email protected]

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