SWINDON College is celebrating getting a brand new bar for its hospitality and catering restaurant, courtesy of Arkell’s Brewery.

And plans are also being laid for the brewery to provide on-going support and advice to students studying hospitality and catering to help them prepare for the real world of work.

Swindon College hospitality and catering lecturer, Faith Rostron, approached Arkell’s to see if the Swindon brewery would sponsor the refurbishment of the tired bar area in the college restaurant. “But Arkell’s went one better,” she said. “They agreed to install a bar, repurposed from one of their pubs, redecorate the whole area and provide some furniture too. It looks really attractive and we are very grateful.”

Brewery managing director, George Arkell, said: “We have been developing closer links with Swindon College for a while and we were really pleased to be able to do something so positive for the students. We have also been invited in to talk to students, giving them practical information on what it’s really like to work in the hospitality industry, and we’re looking forward to doing this in 2017.”

According to the British Hospitality Association, in 2014 there were 2.9 million people employed in hospitality in the UK. However, one particular area of concern is the shortage of chefs. This is due in part to an increasing number of restaurants being opened. However, according to Faith, it’s also due to a lack of students applying to train.

George said: “There is a national shortage of chefs coming into the industry. While the hours can be long, they are in many other careers too. Being a chef is sociable, creative and very rewarding, and we are always on the look out for good candidates to come and join the Arkell’s team."

Arkell’s is looking forward to building a strong relationship with Swindon College and helping to support its students.