Heathcote set to launch a second training school
Lancashire-based restaurateur Paul Heathcote is to expand his School of Excellence in partnership with Altrincham's South Trafford College.
Under the joint venture, the college will base two of its staff at the School of Excellence's Deansgate site in Manchester and a new training school will be built at the college's premises on Manchester Road in Altrincham next year. The new site will run under the Paul Heathcote's School of Excellence name.
"I'm proud that we've put nearly 200 people through their NVQs since we opened the school, but I've learnt two things over the past three years. One, that the school isn't big enough and, two, that although we've got a good success rate, our training structure is not perfect," said Heathcote.
He added: "Our strength is in keeping training fresh and in line with modern techniques and aspirations. South Trafford can underpin that angle with theory and a solid training structure."
Heathcote anticipates that South Trafford will also be able to boost front-of-house training, complementing his school's expertise in providing kitchen skills to students.
South Trafford has invested about £25,000 in Heathcote's School of Excellence since it was set up in August 1997, a financial commitment which will significantly increase with next year's new-build training centre in Altrincham.
Heathcote hopes the initiative will help to double the number of successful students leaving the school. "The project is very exciting [and will help to combat] the old arguments that colleges are out of touch with training techniques, and that the industry moans but doesn't do anything to help colleges go forward," said Heathcote.
Paul Heathcote has confirmed the next Simply Heathcote's opening will be in Liverpool in October. The 90-seat restaurant will be in Beetham Plaza, overlooking the famous Liver building. Final contracts have yet to be signed but Heathcote anticipates no hiccups. "The site is in a 40-apartment luxury development and backs on to the city's financial area. Liverpool is on the edge of a boom. You only have to look around and see the development going on to realise that," he commented.
by Joanna Wood
