STAFF at the closed Vazon Bay Hotel have been handed a lifeline by the property’s owner. They were told they had to leave by yesterday after leaseholder Alan Jackson closed it last week, along with No. 44 Restaurant, because he did not have the money to continue running it.

But George Wilkinson, who owns the building, has agreed to let the staff stay for another two weeks free of charge and that he would pay for electricity, gas and water as well.

‘This makes the world of difference and we are really grateful to George,’ said Josie Vialli, former PA to Mr Jackson.

‘It gives us a bit more time to sort ourselves out. We are feeling a lot happier now that we have this extra time because we thought we were going to have to move out today.’

Staff at both businesses were facing the prospect of being homeless, without work and without any money because Mr Jackson hadn’t paid their wages.

‘When you are in this sort of situation, two weeks is a long time. I think two weeks is long enough for us to get other jobs. When we were thinking we only had one day to move out, two weeks seems like a lifetime.’

Miss Vialli said staff had received lots of supportive messages since their plight was revealed by the Guernsey Press.

‘People have been great and the locals are as good as gold. We’re much happier. We have some time and I think a lot of that is down to the newspaper article.’

Mr Wilkinson said he had a lot of sympathy for staff.

‘It’s a terrible situation and I wanted to help them out,’ he said. ‘Hopefully, this will give them the chance to sort something out.’

Social Security chief officer Malcolm Nutley yesterday urged staff at both businesses to get in touch with the department if they were struggling to cope.

‘If they have got money problems they can come and see us and we will see what we can do,’ he said.

‘We might be able to give them an emergency payment to tide them over, but there are a few questions that we would have to ask and we would need to talk to them individually.’

No. 44 manager Jude Thomas said that if staff could not find other work, they might have to try and go home, although he said they would be unlikely to be able to afford to do that.

Mr Nutley confirmed there were some residual powers left under the Public Assistance Law that the department could consider using in order to help them get home. ‘The department would certainly look at it,’ he said.

Mr Jackson bought the Vazon Bay, No. 44, The Wayside Tavern, The Golden Lion and the Steak House from Tony Gover in March.

Mr Gover bought The Golden Lion back in July after he was offered first refusal.

It is believed the Steak House was closed by Mr Jackson two months ago because it was losing so much money.

And the Wayside Tavern was saved from being closed by Mr Jackson’s brother, Derek, who took over the tenancy and paid money owed to HM Sheriff.

Police would not confirm whether they are investigating Mr Jackson yesterday, saying they cannot discuss individual cases.

He was still unavailable to comment yesterday as his mobile phone remained switched off. It is believed he might be in Sark.