The catering and hospitality sector in Stevenage
Founded in 1946 as Britain’s first new town, Stevenage is a offers a unique balance of urban and rural living. Located in Hertfordshire just 20 minutes away from London via train, it’s a great place to experience the hustle and bustle of the capital at arm’s length.
With its optimistic beginnings and big-city connections, it’s perhaps no surprise that Stevenage has propelled up to the business sky. The town is home to numerous international corporations including Airbus. And in 2019, a £1 billion regeneration plan to modernise the town centre was announced — helping to bring some much-needed colour to its infamously grey architecture.
In Stevenage, there’s certainly a lot to entertain you. Aside from unique shops, the 1,200-capacity Gordon Craig Theatre, and Stevenage Museum, the town centre is home to a diverse range of restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs. The historic High Street also has a flourishing food and drink scene. No wonder that catering and hospitality professionals are starting to view Stevenage as a serious option.
Thanks to a strong, diverse local economy, wages in Stevenage are above than the national average and among the highest in Hertfordshire. In the catering and hospitality sector, a head chef in Stevenage will earn around £31,000 a year. Meanwhile, a part-time sous chef can earn around £14 per hour.
For chefs looking to expand their culinary repertoire in and around Stevenage, opportunities such as the Catering & Hospitality courses at North Hertfordshire College can help you upskill.
Stevenage often gets a bad rep. With its brutalist buildings, some might say it’s stuck in the 70s. But with fantastic transport connections, ongoing regeneration and a thriving hospitality scene, there are certainly worse places for chefs to enhance their careers.
