Southend remains open

Stobart (not the ubiquitous truck owner), the owner of Southend Airport and also the owner of Carlisle Airport, is exploring funding options as it seeks to safeguard the business from the impact of coronavirus.

Officially the Stobart Group Plc has furloughed around half of its 1,500 staff, frozen all but critical expenditure, introduced 20% pay cuts to top bosses and imposed a recruitment freeze.

The infrastructure company said in a COVID-19 trading update: “These steps have been taken both to maintain the operational capability of our core businesses and ensure they are well placed to gear back up when the recovery takes place. At all times we have committed, as a responsible business, to follow all government advice."

Southend Airport remains open for engineering and business flights.  All scheduled services have been cancelled.

More than 20 aircraft are laid up on the airport’s stands while the airport’s global logistics operation continues to operate as normal.

“The Holiday Inn hotel at the airport remains open and is providing accommodation for key workers and we are seeking further opportunities to support community groups.”

Group chief executive Warwick Brady said: “The challenges presented by the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus have been significant.

“We have acted at pace to put in place steps to safeguard our business in the immediate term, and our people have consistently understood and supported the actions we have taken.

www.stobartgroup.co.uk

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