Ascot: Oakman Inns launches recruitment drive to staff £10m pub

Pub group Oakman Inns plans to recruit 100 people to staff its £10 million The Royal Foresters in Ascot, which will reopen in June in time for the Royal Ascot race meeting.

The significant building project will include 240 dining covers, a 100-seat capacity contemporary function facility, 96 car parking spaces, three gardens, seven staff flats and 24 hotel rooms.

The combined acquisition, pre-opening and development outlays combine to make the £10m cost the largest amount ever invested by Oakman Inns.

The Foresters will be Oakman's 23rd and largest site in its growing portfolio of historic and contemporary pubs and general manager Malcolm Coulter is now looking for 100 people, based locally, to be part of the pub’s exciting next chapter on a full or part-time basis.

Recruitment Days have been set for: Saturday April 7 at South Ascot Church Hall and Thursday 19, Saturday 21 and Thursday April 26 at Bracknell Rugby Club.

Coulter explained: “This is a large project and we’re in the home straight now. To deliver the best experience for our guests when we’re open, we’re looking to build a talented team with a range of skill sets to fill roles from chefs, front of house supervisors and house-keeping to baristas and bar managers. Previous experience in hospitality isn’t essential – but your outgoing personality and work ethic are. Training will start in early May so whether you are looking for your first job in hospitality or to further develop your career, please get in touch.”

Jill Scatchard, HR director at Oakman Inns, said: “We have created an award-winning training programme that not only provides long-term career opportunities as team members learn new skills, but our people are supported by a progressive wage structure and great incentive schemes.”

Oakman Inns CEO Peter Borg-Neal said: “This is an exciting time for Oakman Inns and our team members are pivotal to our success - which is why we care for every one of them and give them every opportunity to develop their interpersonal and craft skills and to further progress their career within the company. Our top 20 ranking in the prestigious Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For is thanks to our 750 employees efforts and their belief in what we do. Last year, we were very proud to be the first pub group to receive recognition from the Princess Royal Training Awards for training excellence.”