LGM staff concerns raised

Friday 15 May 2020

La Grande Mare Hotel says it is helping staff after it was announced the resort won't be reopening fully after the lockdown ends, as plans to redevelop the hotel are 'fast tracked' instead.

That news was announced earlier this week, in a statement issued to the media by Sacha Cauwels – Wigan, La Grande Mare Resort General Manager, and which was also shared on social media.

While the golf club remains open, albeit under lockdown limitations at the moment, the Health and Leisure Club isn't. That side of the business will be reviewed "as events unfold" and the island moves into subsequent phases of the lockdown.

The hotel itself won't be reopening though even when it is able to, as instead a pre-planning application is being submitted to the Development and Planning Authority for comment.

It's expected that the owner, Steven Landsowne, who bought the resort from the Vermuelen brothers in January 2019, will be investing in the redevelopment of the hotel which is currently listed as a '4-star' facility.

No timeframe has been given for the closure while the redevelopment takes place.

PicturedL Sacha Cauwels-Wigan, Manager of La Grande Mare Resort.

Some customers had queried what would happen to any outstanding bookings or gift vouchers, with the hotel saying: 

"We are actively supporting with an outplacement service the team members who are affected by this decision and all bookings at the hotel will be cancelled. Both staff and clients are being notified and appropriate arrangements being made."

Some concerns were raised about staff members being given a month's notice to vacate their accommodation. In response Ms Cauwels-Wigan said:

"Other than what is already in the statement, we would like to emphasise that we are dealing with each member of staff individually, providing them with all the assistance we can whilst following due process."

Pictured: La Grande Mare Hotel.