Dozens of jobs available at new Cheshire Oaks restaurant Mowgli

A total of 50 new positions are available as Indian street food specialists Mowgli prepares to open its doors to the public next month.

It comes as Marketing Cheshire is working with local businesses to help find the best talent as the industry comes back to life, as part of English Tourism Week (May 22-31), co-ordinated by VisitEngland.

From independent restaurants and hotels to much-loved attractions across the region, there are currently around 1,065 job vacancies up for grabs in the North West, across all levels of this fast-moving and varied sector.

In the last month alone, there has been a 53 per cent increase in the number of chef roles available, according to labour market analysis body EMSI.

Nisha Katona, founder and CEO of Mowgli Street Food, is currently recruiting for 50 positions across Cheshire, as the latest Mowgli launches at Cheshire Oaks next month.

Nisha said: “After a year like no other, we are so pleased and relieved to be opening Mowgli’s doors to the public again. We are thrilled to be opening at Cheshire Oaks in mid-June and bringing Mowgli to a new audience at one of the North West’s most popular attractions.

“Mowgli’s first restaurants were in the North West and I am very pleased that our next new opening is in our home region and that we can recruit for 50 positions here in Cheshire after such a time of hardship and uncertainty for so many people in the hospitality sector.”

English Tourism Week is an annual celebration of the tourism industry, highlighting its importance to local economies and promoting the innovation, quality and range of products and services on offer to encourage more staycations.

Keen to tap into the staycation market is Cranage Hall Estate in Holmes Chapel.

Richard Morrell, general manager at Cranage Hall Estate.

Richard Morrell, general manager at Cranage Hall Estate, said: "We are passionate about delivering the best possible customer experience. But we can't do that without the right people, and that's why I'm committed to engaging talented people to work in hospitality, now more than ever.

“A career in hospitality involves engaging your brain: no two days and no two customers are the same. It's an industry renowned for its vibrancy and excitement and, while Covid has undoubtedly had an impact in the last 12 months, everyone in hospitality is now raring to get the heart of the industry beating once again."

Last year alone, around two-thirds of the value of the domestic tourism industry was wiped off, a £58 billion loss to the economy.

VisitEngland director Andrew Stokes said: “Our annual event to celebrate and champion English tourism has never been more important, providing a timely opportunity to show the outstanding offer here on our doorstep as we head in to the critical summer season and to support local businesses and visitor attractions, who have lost months of vital trading, as they reopen and rebuild.

“By highlighting the quality and sheer diversity of tourism products, destinations and experiences across England we also hope people will consider an extra holiday at home this year, exploring somewhere new, revisiting a favourite attraction or taking a city-break. With international tourists slower to return this is also the year to rediscover the crown jewels of English tourism in our vibrant city centres.”

It is hoped that, the roadmap out of lockdown progresses, the tourism and hospitality sector in Cheshire and Warrington will be bolstered by both those living in the area and new visitors wanting to explore the region.

Trevor Brocklebank, chair of Marketing Cheshire, said: “Hospitality and tourism across the whole country has taken a massive hit over the past year, but there’s no doubt that we’ve all come to appreciate so much more what’s on our doorstep.

“From the region’s beautiful countryside to the bustling restaurants and bars, to the family attractions on offer, we’re not short of things to see and do. But, we want to raise awareness of how careers can be developed in this sector, too – there’s massive demand right now for fresh talent and real creativity and innovation, so we want to champion these opportunities and make sure people know what’s available to them.

“As we move through the roadmap, it’s our collective responsibility to be Cheshire and Warrington’s ambassadors and fly the flag for our restaurants, bars, cafes and attractions which have been eagerly awaiting the green light to reopen.”