Nottinghamshire's Ye Olde Bell Hotel handed over the reins to the next generation of potential hospitality talent on Wednesday 17th June, welcoming students from Worksop College for a special Takeover Day.
From 10:30am to 4:00pm, students stepped into every corner of the business, gaining hands-on, real-world hospitality and business experience, preparing food alongside the head chef, polishing cutlery and laying tables, greeting and serving guests, working behind the bar, and creating social content to capture the Ye Olde Bell experience.
Guests enjoyed a fully student-led experience, packed with creativity, professionalism and teamwork, with support from Ye Olde Bell's experienced staff on hand throughout the day.
Kate Firth, Managing Director of Ye Olde Bell, said:
"We were incredibly proud of how well the students performed during the Worksop College takeover day at Ye Olde Bell. They approached the day with maturity, creativity and a real passion for learning, impressing everyone with their commitment and teamwork."
Mrs Scoular, Head of Food and Nutrition at Worksop College, added:
"The student takeover day provided a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain first-hand experience of working within a real business environment. We were delighted to be invited to take part, and the day proved to be hugely valuable. Students were fully involved in key areas of the business, including food preparation, food and drink service, and managing social media content. Experiences like this are incredibly important in helping students build confidence and develop a genuine understanding of the workplace."
Harry, Year 10 Student at Worksop College, added:
"I really enjoyed the takeover because it taught us the key things we need to know about getting into hospitality and the food industry. All the different parts of the day were interesting, and even though they were different, they all linked together. Overall, it was a great experience and I'd definitely do it again if I had the chance."
Sarah, Year 10 Student at Worksop College, commented:
"I really enjoyed the student takeover day. It was a great opportunity to experience different parts of the business, including creating marketing posts, preparing food and serving customers. I particularly enjoyed meeting new people and gaining an insight into how a real business operates. I learnt important skills such as how to serve customers professionally and how to respond when things don't go to plan. Overall, it was a really valuable and memorable experience."
The Takeover Day forms part of Ye Olde Bell's wider commitment to supporting the local community, with a particular focus on helping young people develop key life and employability skills outside the classroom. Providing students with hands-on experience of running a real working business for the day, Ye Olde Bell hopes to build their confidence, communication and teamwork skills, while offering valuable insight into a career in hospitality.
The venue regularly partners with local schools and colleges on initiatives like this, reflecting its belief that hands-on experience plays a vital role in young people's development.
