Ed Sheeran has refused to furlough staff at his Notting Hill pub, Bertie Blossoms.
A representative has confirmed the musician, worth £170 million, will not reclaim 80 per cent of wages from the government amid the coronavirus pandemic, which forced the temporary closure of the bar.
The 29-year-old singer’s announcement came just weeks after designer Victoria Beckham received backlash for deciding to use the taxpayer money to fund 30 of her fashion workers’ salaries, despite her £335million family fortune.
‘We won’t be accessing any government scheme’: Ed Sheeran (pictured in 2019) has refused to furlough staff at his Notting Hill pub, Bertie Blossoms, a spokesperson confirmed on Monday
A spokesperson for Ed told The Sun: ‘The business, co-owned by Ed Sheeran and Stuart Camp, is not, and will not, be accessing any Government scheme of any kind, including furloughing, grants, loans and so on.’
MailOnline has contacted Ed’s representatives for further comment.
The A Team hitmaker opened the doors to Bertie Blossoms, said to be named after his wife Cherry Seaborn, in September 2019 with a snazzy launch which saw the likes of Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy in attendance.
Co-owned with his manager Stuart Camp, the pub has been billed as a ‘bright green, low-lit bar set over two floors with extensive drinks list including house cocktails’.
Standing his ground: The musician, worth £170 million, will not reclaim 80 per cent of wages from the government amid the coronavirus pandemic (exterior image)
Uh oh: Victoria Beckham received backlash for deciding to use the taxpayer money to fund 30 of her fashion workers’ salaries, despite her £335million family fortune (pictured in February)
Earlier this month, it was reported that Ed and his business partner parted ways with Alex Hughes, the manager of their west London venture.
It is the latest setback for the multi-millionaire star as the venue originally opened as a restaurant but suffered a string of poor reviews.
The pop sensation was granted permission to turn his upmarket eatery into a bar despite neighbours having previously complained about noisy punters.
The artist asked the council if he could serve alcohol at the diner, but locals feared that by allowing people to drink without also making them eat, will attract a ‘different kind of customer’.
Growing business: The A Team hitmaker opened the doors to Bertie Blossoms, said to be named after his wife Cherry Seaborn (pictured in 2018), in September 2019
An application was submitted to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) in November, to allow Bertie Blossoms to serve just drinks as long as customers are sat down.
As of early 2020, visitors are able to just enjoy a drink, rather than sitting through a meal.
Last week, Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan slammed Posh Spice, 46, by calling her a ‘pampered prima donna millionairess’ for furloughing her staff.
He said: ‘How nice it was at the weekend, with all the selfless acts, to hear Victoria Beckham is furloughing 30 staff of her failing business.
‘Lost money year after year. Been bailed out by her famously rich husband David Beckham.
‘Sorry, this furlough scheme was not for prima donna millionaires like you. Running a vanity project like her fashion business that makes no money.’
Co-host Susanna Reid, 49, explained that Victoria is reportedly forgoing her own salary and donating to food banks and asked what more she should do.
She also said that it was the government’s job to make guidelines clearer and Piers said it’s not their job to ‘give people a moral compass.’
Ouch! Last week, Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan slammed Posh Spice, 46, by calling her a ‘pampered prima donna millionairess’ for furloughing her staff