Restaurant chain joins forces with organisation to help underrepresented people in hospitality sector

Restaurant chain Loungers has joined forces with Babbasa to support underrepresented young people into work in the hospitality sector

The partnership kicked off with an Insight Day for underrepresented young people across the Loungers HQ and Cosy Club sites in Bristol.

The day saw a group of young people welcomed to the Loungers HQ to learn about the organisation and the varied job opportunities across their Lounge Café Bars, Cosy Club and Brightside – Roadside Dining brands.

The young people were able to hear about more of the work that Loungers do as well as meet the various departments. The session was finished with a  lunch at Cosy Club Bristol.

One of the young people who attended said that: “During the Insight Day at Loungers, I found learning about the different roles in the industry, the recruitment processes, and the relationship with customers and the community most helpful. Additionally, understanding Loungers’ history provided valuable context for their current success.”

Caroline Amran, Senior Business Engagement Lead for Babbasa, said: “The Loungers plc Babbasa Insight Day was a brilliant opportunity for young people to explore career paths in hospitality and get an insider’s view of a fast-growing plc. A highlight was Jake Bishop’s inspiring story, from pot washer to leading a 9,000-strong team. Hosting a Babbasa Insight Day is a fantastic way for companies to engage diverse young talent and gain fresh perspectives in return.

The partnership between the two organisations aims to provide the Loungers HQ team with the opportunity to give back to the community they operate in, to widen the perspectives of their team to the issues facing those from minoritised communities in Bristol, and to increase the diversity of their HQ and site teams.

This Insight Day was the first piece of activity as part of the partnership, following Loungers plc completing Babbasa’s Inclusion Healthchecker, which recommended a series of actions to help them become more inclusive and representative of the local population.

Jake Bishop, co-founder  and director at Loungers, said: “It was fantastic to speak to the young people that joined us and we are looking forward to continuing working with Babbasa throughout 2024 and beyond.”