Heathrow businesses pledge over 1000 new jobs at Big Hospitality Conversation

The event took place at the Renaissance Hotel in Heathrow on 17 March and was attended by top hospitality businesses such as Arora Hotels, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Premier Inn, Marriott and Bartlett Mitchell. The job opportunities pledged include 316 jobs, 325 apprenticeships and 425 paid work experience opportunities in a bid to reduce youth unemployment in the area.

Chief executive of the British Hospitality Association (BHA) Ufi Ibrahim said:​ “We are delighted with the 1066 pledges for the Heathrow area.  This demonstrates local businesses working collaboratively to offer new opportunities for young people and is a fantastic boost to tackling youth unemployment figures in the local community. “

Chief executive of Springboard Anne Pierce MBE, said: “Pledges like those generated in Heathrow are leaving a legacy for job creation and growth for the UK hospitality industry.  The Big Hospitality Conversation is a great way to bring together industry leaders and young people to create a meaningful dialogue resulting in many unemployed and disadvantaged young people gaining vital work experience, apprenticeship and employment opportunities.”

Local MP John McDonnell, who attended the networking session, said: “I was extremely impressed by the very concrete achievements of this event in promoting apprentice opportunities.”

Big Hospitality Conversation​

Big Hospitality Conversation is led by the BHA in partnership with Springboard, Business in the Community (BiTC) and Barclays and is the BHA’s biggest ever jobs drive. In the past 12 months over 1,200 industry representatives have attended events across the UK, pledging to create over 34,000 new jobs between now and 2015.

Last month we reported on the Big Hospitality Conversation in Norwich where hospitality and catering students took over the running of a local hotel for a day.​​ The events are taking place all over the UK throughout 2014, with the next one happening in Wandsworth in London on 25 March.

Heathrow Terminal 2​

The new Heathrow Terminal 2 is due to open on 4 June, bringing with it a number of new jobs and opportunities for those in the hospitality sector. Passengers waiting in the terminal will be able to choose between a total of 17 different bars and restaurants.

Among the new restaurants opening in the terminal is Heston Blumenthal’s nostalgic restaurant​, which will celebrate all things British. Also opening is La salle, a new brasserie concept by the Tragus group​ with a Parisian theme. YO! Sushi is also opening in Terminal 2​, operating an innovative new ordering system that allows airline passengers to pre-order food before they land.