Blocked sale leaves Tallukka hotel workers fearing for jobs

Fifteen employees at Hotel Tallukka are facing an uncertain future after Finland’s Ministry of Defence blocked the hotel’s sale to a Chinese-backed company, Yle reports. No new owner has yet been confirmed.

Tallukka is Asikkala’s only large accommodation business and an important employer in the municipality. Four of its employees work permanently at the hotel, while staffing rises to about 20 during the busiest periods.

Restaurant manager Seppo Hakala, who has worked at the hotel for 10 years, said the ministry’s decision came as a shock.

“It was quite a shock. I would never have believed that the ministry would intervene in the deal. Everything here was thrown into turmoil,” Hakala said.

Chef Alexandre Karpov, who has worked at Tallukka for six years, said keeping his job was important. Karpov lives in Lahti with his wife and their two children.

“I believe everything will still work out. Continuing to have work is important to us,” he said.

Operations at Tallukka have continued normally, but Hakala said the uncertainty was directly affecting the business. Companies have hesitated to book events such as pre-Christmas parties because the hotel’s future remains unclear.

Employees work in the reception, kitchen and events operations, as well as in security. Hakala said the staff had supported one another despite their concerns and remained confident about the future.

The Ministry of Defence rejected permission for the Chinese-backed company Nordic Inn to buy six properties in Vääksy, Asikkala. The company completed the property transactions in August last year.

The ministry said it had not been able to establish why the properties were being bought or where the money came from. It suspected that some of the financing could have originated from parties that might use the properties in a way that could endanger Finland’s security.

According to the ministry, the purchasing company could be part of a corporate network that has sought properties near Finland’s strategic locations in recent years. The ministry also said the area was important to the water supply of the Helsinki metropolitan area because of the Päijänne water tunnel.

Tallukka stands between the large lakes Päijänne and Vesijärvi, near the shores of both lakes and along Highway 24 in the Päijät-Häme region.

The hotel has been offered for sale several times through the Huutokaupat.com auction service. The latest auction ended on Monday with a highest bid of 240,000 euros. The previous auction, which ended in mid-July, received a highest bid of 202,000 euros.

Negotiations are now under way with a prospective buyer. Hotel management plans to announce its next steps soon.

Municipal manager Rinna-Ikola Norpakka said the hotel was important for tourism, events and employment. Tallukka has also brought large events to the municipality, she said.

The hotel has more than 100 rooms, meeting facilities and a restaurant. Hakala said business had increased after opening hours were extended and restaurant services were expanded. Room prices have also been reduced because of the difficult economic situation.