THE TEAM at the newly launched Scotts Bar & Restaurant in Greenock have gained a host of new skills thanks to industry-leading training programmes led by Scottish hospitality group Buzzworks.
The 70-strong workforce of chefs, managers, kitchen staff and front-of-house employees have been provided with a range of development opportunities since the venue opened on Friday 16 June, all in a bid to build on their already exemplary customer service.
Not only have the team had the chance to take part in advanced floor and bar training sessions exploring everything from cocktail mixology to the heritage of their dishes, but they have also had access to one-to-one mentorship from Buzzworks dedicated learning and development team, according to Buzzworks’ new openings manager, Stephen Buchanan.
He said: “Scotts is already a well-established name across Ayrshire and central Scotland, so it’s been really exciting to launch the brand in Greenock.
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“Launching a new venue is no easy feat, and I’m incredibly proud of the talented team we have at Scotts Greenock for their hard work and dedication since we opened in June.
“We’re passionate about providing our staff with the best training opportunities possible and regularly host development workshops and excursions across both front and back of house to ensure our team are continuously building on their skills.
“As an employer, Buzzworks ensures that it is not just the customer that’s the number one priority, but also our team. If our people feel supported in their roles and see a clear route of progression within the business, our guests ultimately feel the positive benefit of this too.”
Since opening earlier this year, Scotts Greenock has already enjoyed great success with the new venue hailed a “major milestone” by Inverclyde Council in the delivery of the brand new £19.2 million Greenock Ocean Terminal building.
Stephen continued: “This is Buzzworks’ first venture in Inverclyde, and we are delighted with the response we have received from members of the community so far.
“We’re proud to be serving the Greenock community and are thrilled to see the same passion being reflected back by the locals who have visited us since opening a few months ago.”
The 33-year-old has led a number of new openings for Buzzworks since joining the company in 2018, including Scotts at Port Edgar Marina in South Queensferry, The Duke in Kilmarnock and The Bridge Inn in Linlithgow.
As a result of his expertise, charity body HIT Scotland have recently named Stephen as one of their Trustees responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the charity in support of the hospitality industry.
Earlier in his career, the former operations manager has managed venues in the likes of India and Singapore, but it was Buzzworks “ambitious” growth plans that convinced Stephen to join the company.
He said: “I’m really excited about Buzzworks’ plans for growth over the next few years. I feel very lucky to have already opened some of the most successful restaurants in the group’s portfolio and can’t wait to see where we expand to next.
“It was the business’s ambitious growth plans, the dedication to the team through industry leading training and development, alongside its focus on wellbeing, that really made Buzzworks stand out as an employer for me.
“Hospitality wasn’t my first choice of career, but I honestly wouldn’t change it for the world now. There isn’t an industry that can take you all over the world and give you so many transferable skills in the process.
“I love that Buzzworks really celebrates this and values your growth as an individual within the company. It’s been a privilege to see it carried out first-hand within the team at Scotts Greenock so far, and I’m looking forward to being part of that in the months ahead.”
Buzzworks’ dedication to staff development is a key feature in the group’s newly launched ‘Love Food Feel Good‘ campaign, which aims to celebrate the local produce, alongside care and attention, that makes their dishes stand-out from the crowd.
What’s more, Buzzworks, consistently named One of the Best Companies to Work For in the UK, recently announced a dedicated staff Wellbeing Hub, aimed at looking after their workers’ mental, physical and financial wellbeing.
There are a number of kitchen, front-of-house and mid-level management opportunities available at Scotts Greenock, alongside further venues within the Buzzworks portfolio.
To learn more, visit: www.belongatbuzzworks.com or search ‘Buzzworks People’ on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. Alternatively, email your CV topeople@buzzworksholdings.com.
