RELATED STORIES: Parade Hotel closes doors unexpectedly
EMPLOYEES of Noovoh Restaurant on Bunbury’s Back Beach are in shock today as they found out the venue has closed its doors without warning.
The news comes just over a month after the Parade Hotel was unexpectedly closed, leaving up to 30 staff without a job.
Both businesses are owned by Margaret Newton, but staff at Noovoh had been told new owners were in the process of taking on the beachfront venue.
A Noovoh staff member, who did not wish to be named, told the Bunbury Mail she received a text message from her employer early this morning to advise she should not turn up for work today and that she would be contacted regarding future employment.
About 15 to 20 people were employed at the restaurant and they had been told their jobs were secure as the business was a “separate entity” to the Parade.
A post on the business Facebook page at the time of the Parade closure told customers that while there had been speculation about Noovoh’s future, trading would continue as normal.
Staff went down to the restaurant today to try to get the bookings record so they could let customers know what had happened, but the doors were chained.
While the restaurant was “business as usual” yesterday, the Mail has been told it was cleared out overnight with “even the fish gone from the fish tank.”
After the Parade’s closure, customers who believe they were owed money were urged to contact Consumer Protection.
The Parade Hotel building owners advertised the property and have gained expressions of interest from across the state.
Ms Newton has advised the Mail she does not wish to comment on the situation.