Fine dining restaurant planned for college grounds

A planning application is being lodged with West Berkshire Council for permission to build a 26-cover restaurant at the Monks Lane campus.
If approved, the college aims to complete the work by May, in time for the next academic year.
Newbury College finance director, Bill Blythe said: “Our previous site had a restaurant and, after many requests for dining at the college, we thought that it would be a fantastic opportunity to welcome in the local community, and will be a great experience for our learners.”
Mr Blythe said that catering and hospitality students would take an active role in the running of the restaurant, while construction and design students would also be “fully involved in the interior design of the restaurant and the planning of any changes to the kitchen”.
A grant from the Education Agency will provide the bulk of the funding, reportedly awarded for the benefit it will offer students.
Mr Blythe added that the college also aimed to use builders that engaged with local apprentices, and would source the majority of produce through local suppliers.