Dome staff job fears as Nomura pulls out

The future of 1,750 catering jobs at the Millennium Dome is in doubt as Japanese firm Nomura International withdrew its bid to buy the troubled attraction.

Nomura, which planned to pay £105m for the Dome in order to transform it into a theme park, last week pulled out of the bidding process over uncertainty concerning the ownership of some of its assets.

Richard Taylor, group finance director of Harry Ramsden, whose Dome restaurant employs around 30 staff, said: "Nobody knows what is going to happen with the Dome. All catering contracts ran for a year; anything that is extended after this will be icing on the cake."

After 31 December there may be opportunities for catering staff to transfer to other Harry Ramsden branches."

Andrew James, head of the New Millennium Experience Company catering services, insists that Nomura's withdrawal will not affect on the Dome's catering operations. "Contracts have always run until 31 December," he said.