Riots strike further blow to struggling apprentice restaurant
The Hoxton Apprentice and its sister restaurant in Barking were forced to close on advice of the police as rioters and looters spread across the city.
Some 12 apprentices at the organisation, run by the Training for Life charity, were sent home for their safety and the buildings were secured.
The Barking branch closed on Monday and Tuesday afternoon and the Hoxton restaurant closed its doors on Tuesday after all businesses in Hoxton Square were advised to lock down by police.
Executive Director of Social Enterprise at the Hoxton and Barking Apprentice, John Cruse said that the priority was to ensure the safety of his staff, adding: “The decision we made was a rapid one. The welfare of our staff was more important than serving a couple of customers. We made the decision to close before any incident in the area occurred and staff got away. That hopefully alleviated any distress or concerns they had.”
Funding pressures
Both restaurants opened for business as usual on Wednesday but the closures add more pressure to the charity after they lost their vital government funding this year, as reported by BigHospitality.
The restaurants offer six months on-the-job training front and back-of-house to the long-term unemployed but now have to find £70,000 to pay their apprentices after losing the future jobs fund which was cut by the coalition Government this year.
Cruse added: “Obviously when we close we lose business and it affects us financially so the decision ultimately involves and impacts our ability to employ more unemployed people in the future.”
Director Val Corbett said: “Unfortunately both Barking Apprentice and Hoxton Apprentice have been affected by the riots. Barking had to close (Monday) and again (on Tuesday) afternoon because of the riots flaring up in Barking. On Tuesday afternoon the whole of Hoxton Square has been closed down after advice from the police.
“Sadly, this will impact on our sales but we feel the welfare of our staff and apprentices takes precedence. We can only hope that the unrest does not continue for an extended period of time.”
Previously, she said: "We are looking at alternative ways of funding. We have a fundraiser here working hard to do that, but we are saying to the industry if you want skilled people front and back of house you need to put something into this and we'd really like money to be able to continue."
Since it was launched in 2004, Hoxton Apprentice, has trained 650 people with 70 per cent of them finding jobs in the hospitality industry when they finish including Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons and the Hilton London Tower Bridge.
Hoxton Apprentice will be holding a special fundraising evening hosted by Prue Leith on 15 September. Food will be prepared by chef Anton Edelmann following a Champagne reception. Tables of eight are available from £1,500. For more information or to book email vasb@ubkgbancceragvpr.pbz or call 0207 749 2809.
