FULL STATEMENT: Bird’s wish ‘every success’ with new business as ex-staff left jobless strike out alone

Former staff at Bird's in Worksop are setting up their own sandwich shop after Bird's was recently closed down at short notice. Pictured are Tracy Mattey and Maureen Lidgett.

Tracy Mattey, Maureen Lidgett and Dayna Smith were three of the staff members at Bird’s who said they were stripped of their jobs in March when the owner ‘came in, pulled the shutters down and told everyone that was that.’

But the trio have since united to open their own sandwich shop, Fresh to Go, which is predicted to open on Bridge Place on Tuesday 30th June.

Bird’s released a statement on the job losses and new shop to the Guardian, which reads: “Over the past few years it had become more and more difficult to compete with larger companies, and the ever changing high street in Worksop.”

“Although we had always prided ourselves with the quality of our products and the fact that we had provided jobs for local people for over a century, since 1902, we were no longer able to sustain the business.”

“All employees were informed either verbally or by letter that the company was going into voluntary liquidation.”

“Therefore they all received their notice of their redundancy entitlements.”

“The staff were told on a regular basis that things were tough at Bird’s.”

“As a company everyone worked extremely hard to keep things going, but in the end the company was no longer viable.”

“We would like to take this opportunity to wish the ladies every success in their new shop.”

Guardian readers took to social media last night (Thursday 18th June) to offer support to the new shop.

Laura Smith posted: “Great news! I will definitely visit the shop! I miss getting a jacket potato with salad. Good luck ladies.”

Amanda Eden said; “It’s going to be great, sovery pleased! Hope everyone gets rallies roubd and supports this new business.”

Dianna Friel added: “Well done ladies, wish you all success in your new venture. It will be good to have a sandwich made fresh while you wait at this end of town.”

Maureen Lidgett, who said she was ‘excited’ to start her new role at Fresh to Go, added: “We are still so angry about what has happened at Bird’s, but it has only spurred us on to make the new business even more of a success.”