The Abandon Ship bar in Glasgow has been shut down despite previous assurances that staff jobs would be safe.

Workers at the city pub, alongside another in London, were told on Monday the venues were being closed with immediate effect.

Boss Phil Donaldson blamed “extremely challenging trading conditions”.

Last month we revealed that Donaldson’s company MacMerry 300 was placed into liquidation.

However, jobs at the Abandon Ship in Glasgow’s Mitchell Street were said to be safe after the business was transferred to Belford Ltd before administrators were called in.

READ MORE: Jobs 'saved at Glasgow's Abandon Ship after last-minute deal averted its closure'

One staff member told the Glasgow Times at the time: “We've been told there is nothing to worry about.

"The former parent group of Abandon Ship is being wound up, but we have been transferred to a new firm and it's business as normal for the team here.

“Everyone is obviously relieved as there was a lot of uncertainty.

"It's good to have some clarity and peace of mind and we can get on with the job of serving our customers."

On Monday, Unite Hospitality shared an email sent by Mr Donaldson.

Mr Donaldson said: “Due to extremely challenging trading conditions we have no option but to close Abandon Ship in Glasgow and Abandon Ship Covent Garden with immediate effect.

“It is regrettable that we have to give you the statutory one-week redundancy notice as of today, [Monday, July 4, 2022].

“You will receive payment for the notice period plus any wages and outstanding holiday at the next pay date which is [Wednesday, July 27, 2022].

“We wish you every success in your future employment and will of course support you with references where required.

“Yours sincerely, Phil.”

In response, Unite Hospitality’s Bryan Simpson stated: “Despite reassurances verbally and in writing that ‘nothing is changing’ for staff at Abandon Ship bars only 12 days ago, Phil Donaldson has just issued redundancy notices to all staff at both sites confirming to me that he has no intention of carrying out a genuine or meaningful consultation with those workers in accordance with well-established employment law.

"This is a new low for a company and a former director who continues to run roughshod over the most basic of workers’ rights.”

Following the announcement, Mr Donaldson told the Glasgow Times that in hospitality at the moment, “sadly nothing is a given”.

He added: “Myself or the business isn’t able to employ people at a pub that is closed.

“The sector has taken an absolute bashing and we are devastated we have had to close two sites.

“This is our livelihood as well as the people that are employed by the business we’ve created.

“There is no rug being pulled. The venue has gone out of business we are all devastated.”