A college restaurant where catering students put their culinary talents to the test is to close

The Mill at Braintree College, a training restaurant where students put theory into practice, will close at the end of the year under new arrangements to teach catering.

Discussions are currrently taking place with members of staff affected by the change to look at redeployment to other parts of the college.

The college said the numbers of diners had been declining for some time but the final decision was made after being told the Government would no longer fund full-time National Vocational Qualifications in colleges.

Instead, catering qualifications will be offered as modern apprenticeships from September.

Martin Bates, principal of the Church Lane college said: "There are now a great many more good quality restaurants in the area, and people's eating habits are changing.

"Our bistro-style lunch time menu has become popular but at the expense of a more traditional ambiance".

Published Friday, May 23, 2003

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