Tim Hortons’ East Kilbride staff ‘given just days notice’ before sudden closure

Tim Hortons’ East Kilbride Staff Unexpectedly Face Job Loss

Stunned staff at Tim Hortons in East Kilbride have been left without employment just weeks before Christmas, as the popular Canadian coffee house and restaurant chain abruptly closed its doors at the Plaza mall in East Kilbride shopping centre. Employees claim they were given only a few days’ notice of the closure, leaving them in shock and uncertain about their future. The sudden shutdown has come as a surprise to many, with one source stating, “The staff didn’t even know. They only found out a few days ago. Merry Christmas.”

Tim Hortons, known for its premium coffee and iconic Timbits, entered the UK market in 2017 after more than 50 years of success in Canada with over 4,000 restaurants serving billions of cups of coffee. The closure of this East Kilbride branch adds to the challenges facing the town centre, which has seen struggles in retaining existing businesses and attracting new ones.

Centre management has confirmed the closure and announced that Muffin Break will be taking over the unit in the coming weeks. The news of Tim Hortons’ departure follows the administration of EK, East Kilbride just before Christmas in 2022, leading to uncertainties about the future of the centre. However, efforts have been made to stabilise the centre, with plans for a £62.2 million, 10-year masterplan aimed at revitalising the shopping and leisure destination in the town.

Despite the disappointment of Tim Hortons leaving, a spokesperson for EK, East Kilbride expressed optimism about the future, stating, “We have also been working closely with other retailers about coming to EK and should be in a position to announce a number of new arrivals shortly.” Lanarkshire Live has reached out to Tim Hortons for comment on the situation.

In summary, the unexpected closure of Tim Hortons in East Kilbride has left staff in a difficult position just before the holiday season, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by businesses in the town centre. Efforts are underway to revitalize the area and attract new retailers to ensure a vibrant future for East Kilbride.