Shock as six Edinburgh restaurant workers left without job or pay on Christmas Eve

At 2.30pm yesterday the owner of Cross Kitchen takeaway arrived at his takeaway shop to find the doors locked and bolted.

Shop owner Abmg Mostofa was informed that the building insurance had not been paid thus he was unable to trade in the property.

An eviction notice from Mackay Sinclair Solicitors was sellotaped to the front door stating that any person entering the building will be prosecuted.

Shocked and confused, owner Abmg Mostofa was informed that the building insurance had not been paid meaning he was unable to trade from the commercial premises.

An notice from Mackay Sinclair Solicitors was sellotaped to the front door stating that any person entering the building will be prosecuted.

Mr Mostofa insisted he “could not understand” why this had happened as he was unaware that it was his responsibility to pay the insurance premiums.

He said: “If this has to be paid okay but I have received no communication about paying this. I cannot understand how it is legal to lock me out of my shop with no notice.”

Mr Mostofa phoned the solicitors involved to find out how to gain access to the building and was informed that the offices were shut until January 5.

The 45-year-old called his landlord and explained that he needed to enter the building to collect cash to pay his employees their monthly wages.

Abmg Mostofa says his Currie based buissness faces closure.

He said: “The money is in the shop so I cannot pay my staff until I get into the building.

“I phoned the landlord to explain but he would not listen, he said I had to contact the solicitor but they are not open.”

“I have had to tell my six employees that they will not be paid on time. It is very upsetting for myself and my two drivers and four kitchen workers. We have all lost everything.”

Mr Mostofa said his business was already struggling due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and as he is now unable to make money over the festive period his shop will have to close.

Abmg Mostofa owns Ctoss Kitchen take away in Currie

He added: “I have not been able to sleep since yesterday afternoon I have so much anxiety about this. I do not think we will be able to stay open”

The landlord said he is now working with Mr Mostofa to organise access to the building.

A message from the Editor:Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.