A brand new dessert outlet will be opened at Southport Market by Sefton Council’s new hospitality company, in the first venture of its kind.
Sefton Hospitality Operations Limited (or SHOL for short) is a private company set up to create and operate hospitality outlets offering “exciting, diverse, and accessible options for its customers”.
The firm’s Business Plan said: “SHOL will be taking a lease from Sefton Council for a unit at Southport Market to provide desserts to visitors of the market.
“This will be the first venture for SHOL and provides a great opportunity to employ our first team members, generate some revenue, and test out some menu and branding ideas ahead of future ventures.
“The business hopes to create several brands that can be duplicated at key locations; desserts forms an important part of this strategy.”
It is part of Sefton Council’s new culture of setting up private companies in a bid to generate income, having also set up Sandway Homes as a new housing developer in the borough and purchasing the Bootle Strand shopping centre.
The new dessert venture at Southport Market will be an opportunity for Sefton Hospitality Operations Limited to launch itself as a new company, and to develop how it operates.
The firm is currently recruiting new staff.
SHOL was initially looking forward to operating Crosby Lakeside Activity Centre in Waterloo, which is being redeveloped in a £3million project to provide a new “destination attraction” for the area.
Due to factors outside the control of the company or the council, the intended opening of the venue has been delayed, which impacts the intended strategy and business plan for SHOL.
The company’s contingency plans include a range of other opportunities, which include taking on a concession stall at Southport Market.
The firm is also looking to provide services at Bootle Canalside and a number of other potential concessions.
SHOL is looking to provide around £250,000 benefit for the council each year, according to Sefton Council’s Full Business Case for the CLAC project which was published in February 2021.
The firm’s Business Plan said: “These plans will provide early income for SHOL and allow the business to begin recruitment and start building relationships in the local area and across the industry.
“Currently SHOL has mitigated the lack of income from Crosby Lakeside Activity Centre (CLAC) by deferring costs, for example delaying recruitment and services that would be associated with the start of the business.”
SHOL is looking to operate a range of ventures over the coming years, from hotels through to bars and restaurants, as well as offering outside catering, food delivery and events.
The company is aiming to become “the hospitality business of choice first in Sefton, then the wider Liverpool City Region”.
It wants to work with Sefton Council about opportunities for concessions and other collaborations which would require low capital investment from the company.
These collaborations could include concessions, large scale events, and wider council projects.
Sefton Hospitality Operations Limited is currently looking to fill a range of vacancies.
The roles being recruited to are permanent employment opportunities, with all roles paying a real living wage or above.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said:
“We formed the hospitality company to deliver career opportunities just like this. Although it’s still early days for Sefton’s Hospitality company, the focus for SHOL will be on being an employer of choice in the hospitality sector.”
Ben Hedley, Managing Director of SHOL, said:
“We have a number of immediate vacancies in all areas of the business, ranging from business development and finance, through to management and events. So whatever point you are at on your career journey, there will be an opportunity, and a career pathway, for you at SHOL.”
If you would like more information about the job opportunities available at SHOL visit www.seftonatwork.net
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