THE owner of one of Glasgow’s oldest cafes has said he had no option but to make some staff redundant amid accusations furlough was available.

Alfredo Coia, the third generation to run Coia’s, in Dennistoun, said it was with regret that he had been forced to let five of his 42 staff due to the heavy financial losses of lockdown.

The cafe, which has been running for almost 90 years on Duke Street, has been operating a takeaway service since May with a pool of 16 staff. 

The five staff who were made redundant had initially been placed on furlough but were told this would not continue when the Job Retention Scheme was extended until October.

Mr Coia, 55,who runs the cafe with his wife Antonia, said he was hopeful the remaining 37 staff would be saved.

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The staff who have been made redundant claim they were let go with two days’ notice rather than a week – which they maintain they are entitled to and say Mr Coia refused to give them an explanation why they were selected for redundancy.

In response, Mr Coia denied the accusations. 

He said: “It’s all lies. If people can’t work out why I had to make five staff redundant right now then frankly I don’t care.

Glasgow Times:

“We’ve been going for 90 years, I don’t want to have to make 
any staff redundant but these are tough times.

“We’ve been running a takeaway service since May with a pool of 16 staff and I’ve got 37 staff on furlough and we are hopeful we will be able to save their jobs.”

The staff who lost their jobs, including Hannah Robinson and Nicole Emslie-Stewart, have been consulting with the workers union Better than Zero which has given the owners until today to settle wages they claim they are owed.

Nicole said: “We were not expecting it because of the furlough scheme and the furlough scheme being extended.

“There was plenty of time to keep us on it so it’s a major shock.”
Hannah added: “We were always there to support their business and while they might not feel they can support us financially, it’s not too much to ask for an explanation.

“As a student I really do depend on having that extra income.”

Alfredo’s grandfather Carmine set up the first Coia’s Cafe on the corner of Duke Street in 1928.

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A shop-fitter by trade, Carmine and his wife Amalia came to Scotland from Filiano in Italy.

Alfredo’s father Nicky then became more involved and took over the cafe in the 1950s before his son took over and expanded the business - the 90th birthday was marked last year in the Scottish Parliament.

Celebrities including Elaine C Smith and Still Game star Ford Kiernan are among the cafe’s better known custome