A MAJOR employer has let 40 per cent of its staff go due to the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on its finances.

Inntel, which is based at the Threshelfords Business Park in Feering, has announced the move in a bid to cut costs.

The firm, considered to be the UK’s largest independent meetings and travel management company, would not say how many employees were affected.

However, information online suggests the company employs more than 100 people.

Chief executive officer Douglas O'Neill said the firm had been forced into taking drastic action due to the huge impact coronavirus has had on the industry.

He added the firm didn't feel it had received enough support from the Government.

Mr O'Neill said: "The Covid pandemic has had a devastating impact on the business travel and meetings industry.

"Despite the best efforts of various industry associations such as The Business Travel Association, the Meetings Industry Association and The The Hotel Booking Agents Association, the Government has failed to recognise the need for additional support for our industry.

"Consequently, Inntel, like most of our industry, has had no other choice but to reduce the cost base of the business and as a direct result 40 per cent of the pre-Covid team have sadly left our business either by offering voluntary redundancy or were made redundant."

Mr O'Neill said the firm had done all it could to support employees and would continue to do so going forward.

"Despite this unfortunate chain of events and the pandemic, at least half of those people that have left us have already found other employment or started new businesses," he said.

"We have provided a multitude of support initiatives for those people leaving Inntel including the creation of a directory of businesses that people have started during these times so that other team members we can support them."

Inntel was established in 1984 and moved into its purpose built Inntel House premises in Feering in 2007.

It was named the Gazette's Growing Business of the Year back in 2012.