Tim Hortons’ East Kilbride staff ‘given just days notice’ before sudden closure
Tim Hortons employees in East Kilbride were caught off guard by the sudden closure of the popular Canadian coffee house and restaurant chain. The staff claim they received just a few days’ notice before the closure, leaving them without jobs just weeks before Christmas.
Having been a part of the Plaza mall at East Kilbride shopping centre, Tim Hortons’ closure has dealt another blow to the town centre, which has faced challenges in retaining businesses and attracting new ones. The Centre management confirmed the closure and announced that Muffin Break will be taking over the unit in the coming weeks.
Tim Hortons, known for its premium coffee and iconic Timbits, made its debut in the UK in 2017, bringing over 50 years of experience from serving customers in Canada. Founded in 1964 by a professional ice hockey player, Tim Hortons aimed to create a homely cafe experience for its customers.
This closure adds to the town centre’s struggles, as East Kilbride faced administration just before Christmas in 2022. Efforts have been made to stabilise the centre, with a £62.2 million, 10-year masterplan approved to transform the shopping and leisure destination into a vibrant urban environment. The plan includes converting the neighbouring Centre West Shopping Centre into a housing development, potentially creating up to 400 new homes in the heart of the town.
While the departure of Tim Hortons is disappointing, Centre management has been working with other retailers to bring new businesses to East Kilbride and hopes to announce new arrivals soon. Lanarkshire Live reached out to Tim Hortons for comment on the closure.
In summary, the closure of Tim Hortons in East Kilbride has left staff in shock just before the festive season, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the town centre. Efforts are underway to revitalize the area and attract new businesses to contribute to the town’s economic growth and vibrancy.