People who have been made redundant following a takeover of a high street chain restaurant have been struggling to get their personal belongings back, it has been claimed.

Brighton Marina staff are amongst the thousands that have been made redundant as TGI Fridays fell into administration last month. 

Breal Capital and Calveton UK rescued the chain and acquired 51 restaurants but 35 restaurants have been immediately closed. 

This resulted in over a thousand redundancies nationwide.

It was confirmed that the Brighton Marina branch of the chain permanently closed with the nearest and only branch left open in Sussex being Crawley.

TGI Fridays in Crawley remains open (Image: Google Maps)Unite, the workers' union, claimed former staff members have been unable to access their personal belongings which have been left behind at the closed branches.

Bryan Simpson, lead organiser for Unite Hospitality, said: "For TGI Fridays to deny workers' access to their belongings for up to eight weeks is not just morally reprehensible but potentially unlawful.

“We're not just talking about some clothes and phone chargers here, because of the complete lack of notice given, workers have left everything from iPads to engagement rings as well as personal licences which are needed for future employment. 

“This is the same company which refused to give workers the 45 days' notice of redundancy that they are legally obliged to. Now they are making workers wait as long (or longer) for access to their possessions." 

The Argus understands that a help sheet was issued to workers who have been made redundant, with information that included ways in which to access their personal belongings.

The Argus also understands that no timeframe was given as to when the workers would be able to access their items.

When asked why the Brighton branch was not saved, a spokeswoman for TGI Fridays said: "As part of the purchase, the buyers undertook a detailed analysis of store performance and had to take tough decisions on the overall shape of the UK footprint to ensure we run a sustainable business.”