Against the Permanent Closure of Brookes Restaurant

As an ex student of the hospitality school at Brookes I have very fond memories of my time working at the Brookes restaurant. It was an amazing learning experience that I have drawn on throughout my career. Not only could we learn in a real working environment but the experience of working to a top quality level and the sense of satisfaction and pride that goes with it has instilled a strong work ethic in me that theoretical learning could never have done. It would be a real shame if future students missed out on this wonderful opportunity.

Brookes Restaurant is an essential part of this top class Hospitality School. It should not close, nor should Hospitality become just another course within the Business School. Why come to Brookes to study if a course with a training restaurant can be found elsewhere. Shame on you Brookes for thinking of abandoning the dedicated restaurant staff who have made it one of the best locations to dine in Oxford.

Great institution

How completely absurd to remove such a great facility for both Students and the Local Community.

Brookes Restaurant is the heart and sole of the department. As a past student, someone who had both worked and studied in the restaurant, I can personally say I learned more transferable skilling during my time in the restaurant than I did in the classroom. This accounted for approximately 20% of my time at Oxford Brookes. The structure used when working in both the kitchen, front of house and events module allows students to fasttrack their learning. Having now worked in a commercial environment for over 10 years including becoming Head of Operations for an event catering company, I can appreciate it would have taken years to learn the disciplines, techniques and management skills I learned in around 50 days in the restaurant. I would go as far to say I think it is nieve to think the art of true hospitality can be just taught in the classroom. I strongly believe closing the restaurant would be a great loss to the department and would undermine the credibilitiy of the world class training in the future. Should it close, those who are driving the change should be called to account on how they are going to replace it's value.

Some 40 years ago I learnt my skills at oxford poly.. catering department and still going strong now. Keep it open to help continue learning essential skills

The closure of Brooke’s would be a significant loss to the development of the hospitality industry’s future.

So much history at Brookes Restaurant! Thousands of us trained in this restaurant - it is an important part of Hospitality and Catering courses, and so popular for both Brookes Staff and Oxford residents. You can't put a price on what we all learnt in the kitchen and the restaurant..

A true education is far more than just listening to lectures and sitting exams. It's an understanding of how to connect with the world. In its professionalism, good spirit and good food, the staff of Brooks restaurant has provided invaluable educational opportunities for the students and much pleasure for visitors. I hope the University reconsiders its decision.

SAVE Brookes Restaurant from closure. Closure would be a BIG mistake.

This is such a hot spot that provides a great experience for both diners and those who are learning the trade. It would be such a loss. Please keep this venture open.

I love this restaurant and will be SO disappointed if it closes. The food and the staff are wonderful. Please keep it open!

It is a beautiful restaurant with really lovely staff.

I worked at Brookes for many years, and the restaurant was a lovely place to go for lunch on special occasions. It will be missed.

Must save this restaurant. Food, staff, students and service invaluable. Great little place and is part of a Brookes.

This is a wonderful restaurant and I think it would be a a great shame if the practical experience was lost to the students. Surely it would negatively impact on employ-ability of the students too. Perhaps the restaurant model (opening times/ location, etc) is what needs to be reviewed to make it more profitable.

A fabulous experience and would be a great loss to the students

Please keep OBU restaurant open

This facility has been a key facility for very many years and needs to be maintained...... essential !

Not sure how Brookes can run a hospitality course without providing this practical element. Sounds like a cost cutting exercise without any thought.