The First Minister has pledged to help scores of former Aberdeen hotel workers who unexpectedly found themselves jobless this week.
Around 90 people were left out of work when the owners of the Hilton DoubleTree on the city’s Beach Boulevard went into liquidation.
Ability Group said it had “explored every avenue” for several months before taking the decision to shut the hotel for good.
The 168-room facility was built in 1996 and had already been closed temporarily to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
On Wednesday evening Hilton confirmed that the venue will not be re-opening, and said its owners had reported it was “no longer viable for the company to continue to trade”.
Yesterday Nicola Sturgeon was asked what support is in place to help those affected, after she gave a statement to the Scottish Parliament.
North-east Scottish Conservative MSP Liam Kerr said: “Aberdeen was rocked by the news that the DoubleTree Hilton will immediately close with the loss of all jobs, citing trading conditions which includes the current crisis.
“Will the first minister remind the former Hilton employees what support is available?”
Ms Sturgeon said there are several schemes in place to support those who have been made redundant, as well as companies on the brink of collapse due to a lack of trading amid the pandemic.
“I think it’s really important that the support in place for individuals and businesses right now – which we have warmly welcomed and released in programmes here in Scotland – continues as long as necessary.”
The first minister highlighted projects including a job retention scheme and grant options.
She also shared a message for former employees of the DoubleTree, and those working for any business considering making positions redundant.
Ms Sturgeon said: “We are doing everything we can to avert these situations, and will always work with affected employees to try and support them into alternative employment as soon as possible.”