Staff at a cafe were left “blindsided” after losing their jobs suddenly this morning.

Employees at Sprout in East Kilbride, were let go today five minutes before the restaurant was due to open back up after the festive period.

Staff told the Glasgow Times that employees were advised to take paid holiday days while the cafe temporarily closed between Friday, December 15 to Wednesday, January 3.

However, instead of opening the doors today, staff were told they no longer had a job as the restaurant would stay shut permanently.

Glasgow Times: Staff lost their jobs at the East Kilbride cafeStaff lost their jobs at the East Kilbride cafe (Image: Newsquest)

It comes after Sprout, in the St James Retail Centre, advertised for new roles just five weeks ago on social media, as they planned to expand the staff team.

Employee, Ayleigh Wilson, 27, found out her job was gone today after working at the cafe since February 2023 ahead of it being first launched.

She said: “We were definitely blindsided.

“I fully believe the owners knew this was the path they wanted to go down.

“I found out this morning via my manager at 9.55AM. Prior to this, there was no warning.

“I was told that they were meeting to plan the reopening, but [my manager] was then left with the responsibility of telling me that Sprout was permanently closing.

“I'm honestly pretty bummed about it."

She added: “Luckily, I have another job to fall back on, but that isn't the case for others who handed her notice in specifically to come work for Sprout.

“My heart really does go out to them.

“I understand they told the chef who was in Spain for Christmas not to bother coming back for the open date we were given, I think the owners 100% knew [about the closure].”

One anonymous employee told the Glasgow Times: “I think they have all known for a while.

“Our final pay will just be extra holidays we were due, but we were made to use them when they decided to shut over Christmas without warning.”

Alexander Riches, who worked as the operations manager at Sprout, said: “Sprout unfortunately has not reopened post-new year. 

"While the concept was welcomed by customers, poor trading conditions in 2023 coupled with trademark issues leading to the requirement of a rebrand has led to this decision being taken by the company directors.

“The staff were informed today that they would be getting paid in full for anything and everything they are due, and also offered alternative roles at other units within our control in the interim.”