Taxpayers may help out of pocket Chesterfield Hotel staff

Forty-five members of staff lost their jobs when the hotel shut and ex-employees are currently going through the employment tribunal process over alleged unpaid wages and redundancy payouts.

The Derbyshire Times understands the tribunal judge has agreed to impose a Protective Award order.

This means workers would be entitled to money from the Government's Redundancy Payments Office if they cannot obtain cash from GS Trading VI (Chesterfield) Ltd, the company which operated the hotel.

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins said: "I'm pleased that after months of uncertainty the workers from Chesterfield Hotel are guaranteed to receive some, if not all, of their redundancy and notice period payments.

"However, it would be wrong if the burden for paying this comes from the public purse."

GS Trading VI (Chesterfield) Ltd could not be reached for comment. The tribunal continues.

Chesterfield Hotel closed on January 31, 2015.

It was a major employer and social venue for almost 140 years, making it one of the town's longest-running businesses.

For sale signs went up on the prominent Malkin Street building last month after it was officially put on the market by Eddisons Commercial Ltd.

A brochure states: "The property comprises a substantial brick built hotel dating from the Victorian period providing accommodation principally over three floors and a basement.

"The property comprises 73 letting rooms with extensive restaurant, ballroom and function rooms and a leisure suite with a pool. There is on-site parking for about 60 vehicles."

The abandoned building is currently under constant security surveillance and boards cover a number of ground-floor windows which have been smashed by vandals.