Liverpool 'hotel school' to boost region's hospitality skills

Liverpool’s Hugh Baird College says it plans to open a hotel school to drive up training standards available to the hospitality sector in the region.

‘L20 Hotel School’ will deliver high quality chefs and service staff to establishments across the region and beyond with intense training for students and professionals in newly built and refurbished bars, dining areas, restaurants and kitchens.

The plans, which also include a conference centre, meeting and events areas and retail space, were presented at the soon to be opened DoubleTree by Hilton Liverpool.

Driving forces behind the project were on hand to make presentations including Hugh Baird College principal Yana Williams, L20 Hotel School director Mike Mounfield and Gordon Cartwright from hospitality consultants Visionarydining.com.

The LEP’s head of visitor economy development Pam Wilsher also presented at the event showing her support for the project.

She said: “Our City Region’s Visitor Economy goes from strength to strength,” said Ms Wilsher. “More than 56 million visitors are attracted each year and they spend £3.4billion in the local economy which supports 46,000 jobs. I am delighted to welcome the L20 Hotel School as a provider of excellent hospitality training and benefiting from great new facilities and a strong leadership team who will inspire the next generation of chefs and restaurant staff.”

L20 Hotel School director Mike Mounfield, himself a former chef with more than 25 years hospitality experience, said the L20 Hotel School is about becoming the supplier of choice for hospitality education and training at all levels.

He added: “We know the Visitor Economy is already growing rapidly and only going to get bigger and the demand for jobs will inevitably increase.

“However, to facilitate this growth, extensive and specialist training will be required. From talking with leading names in the hospitality sector, we know there is a skills gap which urgently needs to be filled. A key focus for us is to offer training for existing professionals. It is essential we help to increase the number of senior skilled staff who will have such a vital role in helping the Visitor Economy to grow.”

Hugh Baird College principal Yana Williams, said: “At Hugh Baird College we are constantly striving to deliver first class standards in education and training.

“A great deal of energy, passion and creativity has gone into developing our L20 Hotel School to enhance the learning experience for our students and industry professionals. The college will be opening its own high end restaurant at the end of September where we will employ full-time staff and apprentices to prepare and deliver food which represents world class dining. There will also be a café operated by students, for students, reinforcing the employment and entrepreneurial skills required to be successful in the hospitality industry.

“The announcement today is the first in a line of exciting developments taking place over the coming months at the L20 Hotel School including the opening of the restaurant and partnerships with leading employers and suppliers.”

DoubleTree by Hilton Liverpool is a Grade II-listed venue, with exclusive event space and spa facilities. The 4-star hotel also features a restaurant by Liverpool-born TV chef, Simon Rimmer – Layla Brasserie, his first venture in the city. The hotel is one of the dedicated L20 Hotel School training venues.

DoubleTree by Hilton Liverpool general manager David Hughes said: “The hospitality industry is vital to the destination’s success and, as a sector, we want our guests to have the best possible experience in terms of quality and service. The training and development provided will carve out careers for many young people – and DoubleTree by Hilton Liverpool is looking forward to being part of their future.”

The L20 Hotel School is keen to hear from individuals wanting to start an apprenticeship in catering and from employers within the sector looking to invest and upskill those associated with the Visitor Economy.