Member Article

Durham pub chain launch new bars

A new pub chain, The Fat Brewer Company, has been launched in County Durham by local businessman Christian Burns.

Christian launches the company after three decades in the hospitality trade with his new enterprise aiming to develop its own beer and staff with a dedicated brewery and training school.

Moreover, he is also about to launch a brewery which will produce hand crafted beers to sell through its own pubs and other retail outlets.

The training school, The Fat Brewer’s Hospitality Training Academy, in Crook, is running British Institute of Innkeeping approved hospitality courses.

The academy’s first cohort of students have just passed their BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal License Holders and have been taken on by the company for roles including kitchen assistant, digital media assistant and customer service assistant.

The five successful candidates were selected for the course from nine local unemployed people put forward by Jobcentre Plus who received employability training from Bishop Auckland College prior to interview.

The course covered writing CVs, interview preparation and technique, teamwork, customer service, food safety, health and safety and first aid in the workplace.

The college also helped The Fat Brewer Company develop the hospitality course, which covers the personal licence holder qualification (APLH), cellar management, cask and keg management and trade marketing skills.

The firm’s customer experience manager, Tony Morris, said: “Five weeks ago we met the students for the first time at an open day.

“It has been amazing to watch their development throughout the course, which involved two weeks’ work experience at the company’s Kings Bar & Restaurant in Crook.

“Going forward The Fat Brewer Company will continue to work with Jobcentre Plus and Bishop Auckland College, helping to introduce and develop local unemployed people into the hospitality trade.

“A very exciting future will see The Fat Brewer Company launch new bars which will be designed specifically around the hand crafted ale house concept.

“The bars will have a unique back to basics atmosphere where the patrons will be offered some amazing ales and great customer service within a welcoming environment.”

Senior Engagement Worker at Bishop Auckland College, Paul Dolan, said: “This partnership between the college, Jobcentre Plus and The Fat Brewer Company has been an instant success, providing an excellent training opportunity for five unemployed people who now have jobs with an exciting new local company.

“We hope this is the start of a long term relationship with The Fat Brewer Company, which is investing heavily in the training of local people and creating much needed new jobs.”