DINE IN SOUTHALL
Getting
ready
to serve
The Southall Big Plan is
turning up the heat on one
of its key projects, reports
Neelum Bains. A grand
makeover of Southall Manor
House will transform it into
a restaurant, training centre
and business hub.
A
lmost £2million will be spent on not
just restoring the historic Grade II
listed house, built in 1587, but on
bringing it back into full use for the
community as part of a Dine in Southall project.
It will be a tasty combination of approaches
that will allow students from the Southall campus
of Ealing, Hammersmith and West London
College to train in a real-life environment, from
events management and business to trainee
chefs and hospitality students. And a recognised
restauranteur will be brought in as a partner to
support the studying while running the restaurant
as a going concern.
It is more than a restaurant and training
centre, however. Side rooms will be used for
lessons and workshops and partnerships will
be struck with other employers in the area to
help provide training opportunities. The rooms
28
around ealing
Winter 2015/16
will also be available for local entrepreneurs
and small businesses to make use of – while
the community will be able to hire space for
functions and events; and large conferences
and seminars could also be held in the building.
STYLISH EXTENSION AND GARDEN
The manor house is the oldest building
in Southall and very few Tudor buildings
of its kind are still in such a good condition
anywhere in the country. The existing
building will be protected, but a new glassfronted kitchen and dining area will overlook
the grounds at the rear of the building, as
well as a new walled garden.
There will also be two contained garden
courtyards to distinguish the new building
from the manor house. The innovative
designs include an ‘edible wall’ made of fruit
Above: Denise
and the students
in Ealing,
Hammersmith
and West London
College’s current
training kitchen.
Right: Tutor Denise
Charles and catering
students Hannah
O’Sullivan, Rashawn
Fraser, Sam Bestic
and Karen Beale at
Southall Manor House