Caledonian hotel to review 200 jobs amid Covid-19 cutbacks

Managers of the Hilton hotel said they have had to make some ‘very difficult decisions’.

The Caledonian Waldorf Astoria Hotel is to review 200 of its 290 jobs in cost-cutting measures as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The hotel, also known as the Caley, will cut 65 full-time roles and change the hours of 135 more.

The Hilton-owned hotel has 290 staff including some casual workers.

Waldorf Astoria Hotel, (Caledonian Hotel) Lothian Road.

A consultation started this week will continue until September, after owners said they had been left with ‘no choice’ but to cut back as travel restrictions and social distancing measures continue to impact profits.

A spokesperson for Hilton said: "Covid-19 has created unprecedented challenges for our industry and with social distancing measures and travel restrictions remaining in place, it is unlikely we will get back to normal operations for some time.

"As a result, we are having to make some very difficult decisions about our future structure.

"We have worked hard to minimise the impact on jobs so far, but we have been left with no choice but to resize and restructure the team at The Caledonian.

"Over the coming weeks, we will be discussing future plans with our team members so that we can hear their views and minimise the impact on jobs as much as possible."

The iconic hotel reopened its doors on July 15 after being forced to close for the first time since its opening in 1903.

New measures were introduced, including contactless check in and out, and guests being able to unlock their doors using the Hilton Honors mobile app.

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