Builders for Tolworth's Premier Inn hotel told to leave without pay

Tolworth Garage

Kingston Road

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Surbiton.com: December 21, 2016 - 6:01pm

Builders working on constructing a Premier Inn hotel in Tolworth are facing Christmas on a shoestring after they were told to pack up their tools without being paid – with some losing out on thousands of pounds.

About 20 workers were building the budget hotel at the former Tolworth Garage site when sub-contracted company Emtrade unexpectedly suspended all works and told the builders to leave last week. When they checked their bank accounts, the builders claim their monthly pay – largely ranging between £1,000 and £2,000 - had not been paid by the company.

The workers, many of whom have children, say they now face a “disastrous” budget Christmas, with some having to cancel hard-earned nights out and gift ideas. Crane supervisor John Bain, 49, made the 160-mile round trip from his home in Kent for the last few months to work on the project.

Premier Inn owners Whitbread Plc secured permission to demolish Tolworth Garage, in Kingston Road, and build a five-storey, 118-room hotel last year. The budget hotel chain charges an average price of just £54-per-night for a room in central London. Building contractor JJ Rhatigans - employed by Premier Inn’s owners to manage the site - hired Emtrade to undertake some of the work, but have been unable to contact the company since being made aware of claims.

Paul Byrne, 45, of Potters Grove, in New Malden, said he is owed about £1,400. A spokesman for Premier Inn said the company was taking the issue “extremely seriously” and that Emtrade has “let down” the employees.

http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/kingston/14980617.Builders_for_Tolworth_s_Prem...

Surrey Comet | Kingston

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