Staff 'devastated' after city centre bar closes

A Coventry cocktail bar, the centrepiece of a major shopping centre, has closed suddenly.

The Botanist, located in the redeveloped Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre, shut its doors on Monday after six years in the city.

Prior to the closure, the premises was listed on property website RightMove even though staff were still unaware of the closure.

The New World Trading Company (NWTS), who run The Botanist, said they "empathise" with their team members, but added that the listing was put up without their knowledge.

Botanist staff said they were "devastated" at the sudden closure.

One worker, who has asked to remain anonymous, said he was made redundant alongside colleagues during an online meeting.

"No one had a clue unfortunately," he said.

"We are all devastated as we all genuinely really enjoyed our jobs and our colleagues."

A spokesperson for NWTS said the care of the workers is their "top priority".

"We are working to relocate team members from affected sites into our neighbouring venues where possible and continue to offer support to those who this isn't suitable for.

"We have been made aware that the property had been listed for lease prior to the conclusion of the Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVA), by the landlord.

"We want to clarify that this action was unrelated to NWTC, and we understand how distressing this may have been and empathise with our affected team members."

Rob Hall, events manager at 147 Nightclub in Coventry, said he would hold a party for staff members on Saturday.

"It is a real sad time and a loss for the city," he said.

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