Birmingham Midland to shed 120 jobs during 18-month closure

BIRMINGHAM's Midland Hotel is to close from the beginning of next year for an 18-month refurbishment with the loss of about 120 jobs.

The 111-bedroom hotel's refurbishment is part of a £10m redevelopment scheme in Birmingham's New Street by the hotel's owner, local property company Hortons' Estates, which built the hotel in the 1870s.

When the new-look Midland Hotel reopens in September 1996 it will have a 4,500sq ft conference and banqueting suite, a 70-seat restaurant overlooking New Street and a new fifth-floor leisure complex.

A number of staff will be retained to oversee the refurbishment and prepare for the reopening, but 20 casual staff and about 100 full-time staff will be laid off.

General manager Peter Wood said: "Naturally we are sad to be parting company with these members of staff, but hope to take most of them back when the hotel reopens.

"In the meantime, every effort will be made to secure alternative employment in the industry for the individuals concerned during the interim period."