Leading city venue The Townhouse Chester has joined forces with the charitable members of Soul Kitchen, a group dedicated to helping people in need in the city.
As part of a brand-new initiative, together they launched a community-focused eatery called “The Sunset Café” that will let people trying to rebuild their lives get experience working in hospitality.
The intimate event marked the first milestone for the union’s bold plan. It assembled supporters of the scheme and connected them with community members and collaborators creating a positive start to the project. The one-hour session also saw four people get a fresh start in hospitality performing a professional role in the café’s first shift.
Each of the new team members was expertly paired with one of The Townhouse’s experienced professionals, creating a practical and nurturing environment for them to learn in. Two of the new staff worked in the kitchen with the Dilwyn, while the others started training as front-of-house.
The Townhouse Chester’s owner, Steven Hesketh, was present and shared his belief that hospitality can change people’s lives. He commented:
“What I’ve seen from the guys… they’re absolutely fantastic. There’s no reason why hospitality venues can’t be finding jobs for them — without a shadow of a doubt.”
The Sunset Café is now open to locals and visitors to the city alike between 11 am and 3 pm, and can be found at The Townhouse Chester (Inside The Townhouse Hotel) at 49-51 Lower Bridge Street.
