Even top chefs are struggling to find staff
CELEBRITY chef Michael Caines has revealed how his hotel and restaurant businesses are now struggling to recruit staff, including employees for his new Exmouth ventures.
However, it seems the Devonbased chef and restaurant owner is not alone, because it has been reported bars and restaurants across the country are facing similar difficulties after thousands of workers have left the sector.
Michael has told how he is currently trying to hire 20 new staff members across his hotel and restaurant group, and how preparations are being made to open Mickey’s Beach Bar & Restaurant along Exmouth seafront.
It will run alongside Sylvain Peltier and Michael’s Cafe Patisserie Glacerie, which has already opened, as part of the Exmouth seafront regeneration project.
Michael told the BBC: “Without question, recruitment is a challenge. All of the businesses are extremely busy. For the next three, four months, our hotel is completely booked up, so we’re desperately trying to recruit enough staff.”
Michael said Brexit and the pandemic have led European workers to leave and not return, but he said another problem is the number of workers still on furlough. While they are waiting to return to work, they are less willing to switch employers.
“A lot of people feel very concerned about leaving a job where they qualify for furlough to take the new job where they wouldn’t qualify for furlough if there was another lockdown,” he explained. “So there’s a bit of nervousness from an employee’s point of view.”
Michael added he is hoping roles will be more easily filled when students break up from college and university and start looking for summer work.
This week, Mickey’s Beach Bar & Restaurant’s opening hours have been confirmed. Michael had asked for a premises licence until 2.30am every day, but East Devon District
Council’s licensing sub-committee stated they will only be able to stay open until 1.30am on Thursday to Saturday – and 00.30am on Sunday to Wednesday.
Supply of alcohol, playing of music, and late-night refreshments will have to cease at 1am and midnight respectively, an hour earlier than requested.
The permitted hours for use of the two external terraces to the Bar & Restaurant and Cafe building – one at ground-floor level and one at firstfloor level – will be until midnight only.