A North West business more used to catering premiership football matches, has a team of substitutes ready to support the public sector.
23 Hospitality, based in Poulton-le-Fylde in Lancashire, usually provides chefs for top restaurants, hotels and high end events, and has worked with the likes of Simon Rogan’s restaurants, the Marriott and Crown Plaza hotels, and football stadiums including Liverpool FC.
But with the cancellation of leisure activities and the closure of hotels and restaurants, business owner Dan Robinson is changing tack to help keep his team employed by offering supply staff for hospitals, hospices, care homes, schools and nurseries.
Dan said: “Hospitals are obviously the front line of the battle against the virus, and of course there are care homes, hospices, schools and nurseries which also remain open to provide vital services for key workers, their families, and the vulnerable.
“In addition to the incredible frontline workers, each of these organisations will have an army of people behind the scenes providing all sorts of support services including food and refreshment for staff, patients, residents or pupils.
“Many of these kitchens will struggle as staff fall ill or have to self-isolate, and gaps will emerge which our team can help to fill temporarily. It might not be the sector we usually operate in, but our chefs would appreciate the opportunity to play their part in the nation’s massive support effort by helping to feed those who need it.”
Dan hopes his highly-experienced, fully-qualified chefs will be able to support front line organisations by using their valuable skills and expertise, but they are also willing to take on other roles in order to help out and secure employment during the crisis.
He said: “All of our chefs are self-employed and so the cancellation of the usual calendar of events has left them understandably worried about feeding their families and paying the bills.
“We quickly realised there would be a requirement emerging within these front line organisations and, at a time when everyone really needs to pull together, every member of our team has said they would be happy to step in to help wherever they are needed most.
“They’re also willing to turn their hand to other jobs, and we’ve got a list of more than 50 people with full driving licences who are willing to operate as delivery drivers. In effect, I’ve got a fleet of delivery drivers across the North West available for any retailer, food supplier, or pharmacy, ready to go.”
The recruitment firm also has a number of cleaners and carers on its books, and is already working with some individual care homes to provide staff. Its catering team is also able to assist any restaurants and food service businesses which are remaining open to provide takeaway and delivery.
He added: “As a business we’re adapting to help our team as much as we can. Some have picked up warehouse and supermarket shifts to help make ends meet, but it would be so much better for them to use their skills in the kitchen to both help out and provide for their families.
“We’re in contact with a number of care home providers and some retailers about providing staff, but there will be small and individual businesses who perhaps might be making do with an untrained member of staff covering the kitchen while their catering staff are off sick, who could benefit from getting in touch.
“And, while public sector procurement departments may already have suppliers on their frameworks, times like this call for flexibility and new solutions, and we’re ready, willing and able to step in to provide that support wherever it is needed.”
