A RESTAURANT and bar in Tarporley has been able to grow thanks to an apprenticeship funding programme.

Elior, which operates catering contracts across the business, healthcare, education and leisure sectors, has gifted £100,000 of its unused apprenticeship levy to support new jobs.

The company is the first to join Total People’s campaign to achieve £500,000 of levy gifting, after it was revealed that more than £250 million of apprenticeship levy funding was returned to the Treasury last year.

The money could have been gifted to small businesses to support tens of thousands of new apprenticeships and help plug the current skills gaps, according to the apprenticeship provider.

Amongst many other small businesses, the funds will support Little Tap Restaurant and Bar in Tarporley.

Myles Carr, owner, said: “Working alongside Total People enabled me to access Elior’s funding, which was very beneficial after a difficult time for the hospitality industry.

“Elior’s gifted funds will have helped a huge amount of businesses that have survived the pandemic and want to grow.

“It really has helped me to focus on my team and give them a strong future working with my company.” 

In total, Elior has agreed to gift £480,000 of its unspent apprenticeship levy over the next three years.

Justin Johnson, HR director said: “The hospitality industry suffered a real blow as a result of the pandemic.

“We’re keen to help kickstart growth, providing work opportunities in organisations where they’re most needed.

“Working closely alongside clients in education and healthcare, we’ve witnessed first-hand the challenges these immensely valuable sectors have overcome over the last few years.

“It’s an honour to be able to invest in their regeneration moving forwards.”