Covid outbreak among Chiltern Railways staff was sparked by secret lockdown baby shower with up to 20 guests in closed Patisserie Valerie at Marylebone station after ‘worker used security key behind café chain’s back’
- Chiltern Railways investigates after up to 20 workers hold a ‘surprise party’
- Allegedly took place in closed Patisserie Valerie at London Marylebone station
- Some employees on shift attended event and some tested positive, it is claimed
- This meant almost two thirds of the team had to self-isolate
An outbreak of coronavirus at a railway company was sparked after staff allegedly held a baby shower at a station bakery during lockdown.
Chiltern Railways has launched an internal investigation after up to 20 workers reportedly held a surprise party in the closed Patisserie Valerie at Marylebone station in London.
One staff member told the BBC some employees on shift attended the event and that some of the partygoers tested positive for coronavirus which meant almost two thirds of the team had to self-isolate.
Around 30 people were invited to the baby shower during the second national lockdown on November 23, according to customer services staff based at the station.
They were informed about the event both on WhatsApp and in person on the day of the event.
The surprise party was allegedly held in the closed Patisserie Valerie at Marylebone station in London. Pictured: People sit outside another nearby branch of the chain in Marylebone
A picture of a table covered with cakes, sandwiches and mince pies were posted on social media along with bunting saying ‘it’s a boy!’ and ‘happy baby shower’.
Another photograph showed colleagues had used the departures board to share a message which read: ‘It’s a boy! Congratulations, much love from your Chiltern Family.’
And eight workers appeared to be ignoring social distancing rules and posed for a picture together.
The images were shared on Instagram and captioned: ‘What a lovely surprise being thrown a baby shower at work today!’
One worker said he declined an invitation to the event and said he was ‘shocked and alarmed’ to see people hugging and not wearing masks.
Chiltern Railways said it would take ‘appropriate action’ once it has completed the investigation.
Chiltern Railways said it would take ‘appropriate action’ once it has completed an investigation
A Patisserie Valerie spokesman said the company had not been told about the event and none of its employees could access the bakery which has been closed since March.
But he said a member of station staff would have keys to the property for ‘security reasons’.
No Patisserie Valerie staff attended the event, and bosses said they would not have given their permission for the outlet to be used.
A staff member at Marylebone station said three people who attended the baby shower had positive Covid tests within four days of the event.
This meant 16 employees out of the team of 26 had to self-isolate for two weeks, according to him.
He added that some colleagues were ‘petrified’ of infecting loved ones who are vulnerable to coronavirus.
The surprise party was allegedly held at London Marylebone railway station (file picture)
The railway company confirmed a ‘small number’ of staff tested positive for the virus after November 23 and insisted it was ‘making every effort’ to maintain a Covid-secure environment.
Another worker said he had to work while his colleagues self-isolated and felt ‘demoralised’ when he heard about the alleged surprise party.
He told the BBC: ‘A lot of us don’t want to be at work during this time, for obvious reasons.
‘We’re doing a job where we do come into contact with a lot of people – it’s stressful enough with your own family, who are a bit worried about you going in to work at a train station and asking if you’re getting the proper protection.’
The Department for Transport has contacted Chiltern Railways for a ‘full explanation’ after being made aware of the incident.