Richard To Meet With Foley Arms Staff

7.54.00pm GMT Tue 26th Jan 2010

Richard Burt will meet with staff at the Foley Arms in Malvern tomorrow, following news that the one of town's best known hotels has ceased trading. Richard said he was "shocked" to hear news of the sudden closure, which was relayed to staff by email after men arrived to board up the windows.

"The Foley Arms is an iconic building and part of the heritage of the town," said Richard.

"The conduct of the owners in summarily closing the business without notice to staff or guests is extremely shoddy.

"I have been contacted by staff and agreed to meet them to talk through what happens from here.

"Despite being told to leave the premises, staff have done all they can to arrange for guests and visitors to be accommodated elsewhere, including one party that had booked a reception following a funeral.

"I will be contacting the owners to seek assurances that all 25 full and part-time employees will be treated fairly over pay and redundancy. People will also worry about what they intend to do with this iconic Georgian building that has been a landmark in Malvern for nearly 200 years."