Published: Thursday, 22nd October, 2009 6:00am

14 jobs lost at restaurant

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A ONCE-POPULAR Haddington eaterie has closed with the loss of 14 jobs - after feeling the bite of the recession.

Waterside Inn bar and restaurant - owned by Oxford Hotel and Inns since 2007 - ceased trading on Monday.

John McLelland, who was general manager but has now lost his job along with the rest of the staff, told the Courier that the shutdown would be for the "foreseeable future".

He explained that the business, despite its picturesque location on the banks of the River Tyne, had suffered "financial restraints" in the past year due to the soured economic climate and was failing to attract regular bookings and a solid clientele.

"The company decided, with the economic downturn, that we had no other option but to close," he said.

The Courier understands that the decision to close Waterside Inn came after an attempt to sell the business fell through last week, though a spokesman for Oxford refused to comment.

Mr McLelland said that damage caused to the property by flash flooding in June and September had also been a "factor" in the Waterside's decline as the company had to fork out for repairs and improvements to the building.

Said Mr McLelland: "The weather and subsequent flooding problems did have an adverse effect and caused difficulties, though that issue was removed after we carried out certain refurbishments.

"When we did the relaunch in April we had a fantastic response and the financial outcome of that was excellent, but we eventually saw a dramatic drop in the number of people coming back to visit us.

"What we really need is to get people through the doors on a regular basis.

"The fact is that the majority of people in Haddington see us as a restaurant rather than a place to come for a few drinks and we've not really been able to change that perception due to our financial restraints."

He also said that, in his opinion, there had not been enough investment by Oxford in promoting the Waterside since the chain acquired the venue two years ago.

Mr McLelland explained that the vast majority of the workforce had rejected an offer to be relocated to another of Oxford's establishments in Edinburgh.

The Waterside Bistro was established in 1983 by Ian Rutherford, who converted an 18th century warehouse and cottages on the banks of the River Tyne beside the Nungate Bridge.

Oxford Hotels and Inns came under fire when it decided to rename the venue The Laffin' Duck.

Community leaders, as well as former owner, Dunbar restauranteur Jim Findlay, who ran the establishment from 1985-2004, were unhappy with the new title.

It then recently became Waterside Inn.

On the venue's closure this week, Haddington and District Community Council chair Jan Wilson said: "It was a really popular place once upon a time and it's a real shame to see it closing.

"These things are understandable in this economic climate."