DOZENS of staff working for a pub and hotel group have been left without an income after being sacked.

Two weeks ago staff from Lucidity Group were told they would be furloughed but have now been told by bosses they would be let go with immediate effect.

One staff member said she was ‘shocked and saddened’ by the news.

Barrow’s MP Simon Fell has written a letter to the group urging bosses to reconsider and look at government schemes to support businesses during the coronavirus crisis.

Lucidity Group runs the Townhouse and the Dunes hotel in Barrow as well as the Stagger Inn at Stainton.

An email sent to employees by Gawain Steel, the group’s operations director, said: “It is with regret that your employment with Lucidity Group is terminated due to the sudden disaster that is Coronavirus and the impact it has had globally, and within Lucidity Group.

“In previous meetings and per a written warning on 21 March 2020, you were reminded that the current situation within the industry could lead to job losses.

“Regrettably, this situation has not yet changed, and I am left with no alternative but to terminate your employment with immediate effect.

“Please be assured that once the business returns to its usual levels, and Government Guidelines permit, your position within the Group will become available for you to return to.

“I am working hard to secure accommodation contracts with BAE, MOD and other Key Workers to help ensure the continued operation of the businesses, and I will contact you directly to request your return to the business at a later time.

“I’m sorry this email doesn’t contain better news for you, but I hope to welcome you back into the business later in the year.

“Please stay safe, well and secure.”

Shannon Mansell, a housekeeper who worked at the Townhouse for two years, said she felt she had been ‘let down’ by her employers.

The 24-year-old said: “I feel shocked, saddened and let down that they would do this to their loyal staff members.

“Being told I would receive furlough gave me some sense of security that has now been taken away for me.

“I am now left not knowing how I will pay my bills which fills me with anxiety and dread for what the future holds.

“At an already very stressful time, this news is the last thing myself and the rest of the staff expected to receive and I feel lost as to how I can move forward from here.”

In a letter to Lucidity Group, Simon Fell pointed out that Government programmes including the job retention scheme, which pays up to 80 per cent of employees’ wages, could have been put to use.

He said: “I am writing as it has been brought to my attention by a number of your former employees that Lucidity Group has taken the decision to terminate their employment with immediate effect as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

“As you will be aware, the Government has recognised that the pandemic has created a uniquely challenging operating environment for businesses such as yours.

“For this reason, it has introduced a range of measures to ensure that hospitality businesses are able to survive through the lock down, and open again once the virus and uncertainty has passed.

“I would very much hope that you will urgently reconsider your decision and look closely at your business’ ability to furlough staff in order to preserve their jobs for the future – a position which will surely benefit not only them, but also Lucidity Group going forward.”

Mr Steel said: “Lucidity Group is still operating.

“We hope to welcome hardworking and dedicated staff back to the business.”

The company’s most recent accounts published on Companies House, covering the financial year up to March 2019, reveal the company owes £1.9m to creditors up from £506,000 the year before.

The firm had £113,000 cash in the bank which was slightly up from £103,000 the year before.