Herald departure shocks employees
Employees of Herald Inns & Bars were shocked to find out about the departure of their chief executive Kevin Allcock last week after reading about it on the Morning Advertiser's website.
An anonymous emailer wrote to managers of the company's bars referring to the MA's story - and decrying the breakdown of communication at the company, which runs the Mood and Brannigans chains.
The email stated: "I am somewhat alarmed that such a departure within the company has failed to warrant the workforce being informed - and, of course, begs the question about who is running the company now.
"Failure to inform employees about just who is legally responsible for company's affairs and who is now in charge of seeing through the company's strategic plan shows a complete breakdown in communication within the Herald estate."
Allcock has joined nightclub company Ultimate Leisure as managing director of operations.
The departure of Allcock from Herald Inns & Bars means the company has lost two managing directors in eight months - Mike Clayton left at the start of the year.
The departure of Allcock from Herald, which has made heavy losses over a number of years, has been the source of industry rumour for several weeks. His time at Herald has seen investment in the Mood chain and the opening of a new River Carvery concept at Broxbourne, Herts.
Allcock's period at Herald was a little turbulent, with the departure of Mike Ashton as operations director after only 11 weeks in the business.
Herald tried to sell its Brannigans business last year through agent Christie+Co but was unable to find a buyer. One industry source claimed the business lacked smoking solutions at some sites. This year has seen closure of a small number of Brannigans venues.
