Mareel cafe bar affected by staff shortages amid hospitality sector recruitment challenge
Busta House Hotel has also cut back its lunch and dinner services
STAFF shortages have resulted in disruption to Mareel’s café bar for a second successive week.
Shetland Arts said it would have to close the café bar today (Tuesday) due to a lack of staff.
It will also close at 5pm on Thursday – two hours before a concert in Mareel’s auditorium.
James Yorkston is due to bring his Tae Sup Wi’ A Fifer variety gig, featuring Kris Drever, Iona Lee and Rozi Plain this week, to the arts venue on Thursday.
Responding to a comment about the closure on social media, Mareel said it would be offering hot drinks and canned/bottled alcohol from its kiosk at front of house on Thursday.
“We’re trying to provide as best a service as possible while navigating our staff shortages,” it said.
It comes amid an ongoing shortage of hospitality staff in the isles, with Busta House Hotel in Brae also announcing it was no longer taking bookings for its restaurant late last month.
Busta said that due to “crippling staff shortages” the restaurant would be for residents only, with no further lunch or dinner bookings taken.
Mareel’s café bar had a reduced service last week too, and it will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday) for staff training.
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