An innovative app has recently launched here in Manchester, and it’s already shaping the future of freelance working in the city’s bustling hospitality sector.
Manchester is a city known for its resilience and community spirit, and that has never been more evident than in this post-COVID world as we bounce-back and recover from one of the most significant challenges we’ve had to face, but it’s true that the hospitality industry has had to overcome a lot more than other sectors.
Which is why Brigad could not have come at a more perfect time.
With the staffing crisis within the hospitality industry said to be reaching points of over 3,000 ongoing open vacancies, Brigad is all about end-to-end collaboration between hospitality businesses and qualified self-employed professionals.
Having launched back in 2016, and having already made a name for itself both here in the UK and with our overseas neighbours in France, Brigad allows businesses to be put in touch with verified self-employed professionals in just a few clicks, which ultimately saves precious time as the entire administrative process is automated, and then on the other end, for freelance workers, it allows them to choose work freely every day from a large number of well-paid assignments that work ideally for their needs and time constraints.
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Brigad prides itself on being a company with a mission, and its goal is simple – “to make work attractive and accessible to all”.
But what was it that made Brigad make the move to launch in Manchester? How is it looking to make positive change to an industry that provides so much to our proud city? And how can it benefit businesses?
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Why Manchester?
With Brigad having already connected around 4,000 freelance workers with work opportunities across London, the company is adamant that there is no time to waste in applying these resources to the great city of Manchester.
Brigad says its decision to provide services to Manchester is vital to “ensure efficient post-pandemic recovery” of the city’s hospitality industry, as it’s a company that works within the framework of social responsibility and is all about empowering hospitality workers by connecting them to temporary freelance shifts with a decent and fair minimum hourly payment.
“The city itself has provided some of the most innovative people-based solutions to encourage the individual to be better valued when the greater industry does not provide this,” Brigad says.
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“This is why we are launching Manchester.”
Manchester is said to be the first in “the long line of cities” the company wants to begin operating in, as it believes “the city’s values reflect our values perfectly.”
Brigad allows businesses to be put in touch with verified self-employed professionals in just a few clicks / Credit: Arnaud Caillou
How does Brigad work? And how can it help businesses?
To sum Brigad up simply and how it helps businesses fill staffing vacancies, businesses offer their vacant shifts on their rotas to the app, and the workers will then accept those that best suit their timetable, lifestyle, career path, and income.
Brigad knows that as a restaurant owner or manager, sometimes you need qualified staff to fill in, which is why it aims to stop them from wasting time by looking for suitable casual staff as the profiles on the platform are the best freelancers in hospitality, and their skills and experience are rigorously checked and approved by the Brigad team.
The innovative app works in three simple steps:
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Post a request – Create your request in a few seconds from your account page, and personalise it with specific requirements (dress code, equipment needed, etc).
Offer accepted by Brigad – Minutes later, you will receive the details of the freelancer who has accepted your mission, and they will call to introduce themselves and ask any questions to fully understand the task at hand.
Contracts and payments are automatically managed – Contracting, invoicing, and payment is taken care of at the end of each mission, and businesses don’t have to do anything.
How is Brigad “pioneering the new future” of Manchester hospitality?
Brigad says it holds “a hearty commitment and respect” towards those who work in the hospitality industry, and with such a vast network of innovative, progressive, and pioneering businesses and workers, Manchester makes “complete sense” for its next step.
The company says it supports the future of hospitality in Manchester as a tech solution for those looking for security, freedom, independence and financial prosperity.
“A city with an independent spirit deserves hospitality staff of the same mindset,” Brigad says.
What are the founders saying?
“Brigad is on a mission to make work attractive and accessible to all,” explains Florent Malbranche, CEO and co-founder of Brigad.
“We are excited to be expanding into the vibrant city of Manchester and confident we will enable thousands of hospitality workers change their professional life for the better.”
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Brigad says its decision to provide services to Manchester is vital to “ensure efficient post-pandemic recovery” / Credit: Arnaud Caillou | Brooke Cagle (via Unsplash)The company’s goal is simple – “to make work attractive and accessible to all” / Credit: Arnaud Caillou
Keen to find out more?
To help meet and connect with more local businesses, and to show just how much of a benefit the app can be to the city’s hospitality industry, Brigad is hosting a two-day open day event here in Manchester city centre next Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 May, which is free to attend, and you can find out more information and sign up here.
There will also be an evening event with Team Brigad and businesses which use the app, and you can pose any questions you may have to them over some drinks and great food.
To find out more information and see how Brigad can help your business, head over to the company’s website here.
Science and Industry Museum reveals ‘gloriously gross’ half term events lineup
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most-visited museums has unveiled its exciting events lineup ahead of half term in a couple of weeks time.
Fancy diving into the “gloriously gross” world of our brilliant bodies?
It’s certainly not an invite you get every day, but as schools across Greater Manchester break up for half term at the end of this month, and parents and carers gear up to entertain the little ones, the Science and Industry Museum has, thankfully, just announced a wide range of events and activities especially for the holidays.
Anyone who considers themselves to be “curious about the incredible inner workings of the human body” are invited to join in with the series of anatomy-themed special events, star-studded appearances, and half term transformations.
And the best bit is that a good chunk of the events planned are actually open for you to get involved with for completely free of charge.
As the curtains on Operation Ouch! are due to close for good on Sunday 9 June, the museum has chosen to dedicate the entire month of May to celebrating the record-breaking exhibition and making sure it goes out in “a blaze of glorious grossness” by having it inspire all the upcoming ‘brilliant bodies’ events – and this half term is no different.
The Science and Industry Museum has revealed its ‘gloriously gross’ half term events lineup / Credit: Science Museum Group
As well as exploring the exhibition before it closes, mini Mancs can also bring a bear (or any soft squishy friend) to the museum and take them round the departments of the ‘Teddy Hospital’, as well as learn all about looking after their brains, bones, and bottoms with fun and fascinating activities, and find out how their skeleton works, what their poo is made of, and why we have blood.
The museum‘s team of Explainers will also be back in action this half term.
They’ll be putting on interactive science shows packed with “fun facts and wow moments” that explore how and why our bodies are all the same, but different too.
There’s so much to discover and explore about our ‘brilliant bodies’ at the museum this month / Credit: Science Museum Group
Away from the ‘brilliant bodies’ events, if you haven’t had the chance the make the most of the museum’s smash-hit gaming exhibition, Power UP, then this upcoming half term is the ideal time to do so.
Revolution Manchester, the museum’s interactive Experiment gallery, and the Textiles Gallery are also open for exploring for free all throughout the half term week.
Both free entry tickets to the museum, and charged-for tickets for Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You and Power UP, can be booked now on the Science and Industry Museum website.
You can find more about all the activities taking place at the museum over the half term here.
Featured image – Science Museum Group
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Viral ‘colour analysis’ trend now available at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
Daisy Jackson
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet is preparing for summer with a series of brilliant fashion events – including jumping on the colour analysis craze.
The viral sensation which helps people to dress in their most flattering colours is now heading to the popular shopping destination.
Free consultations with expert colourists will tell you your ‘colour season’ and whether you’re warm or cool toned, pointing out the colours that will make your face quite literally light up.
Then armed with your new-found appreciation for your own favourite colour, you can browse a rail of pre-selected clothing from Pinko, Reiss and many other brands, or head out shopping around the many other brands based at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.
It’s all part of The Great Dress Up campaign running this spring/summer, which celebrates fun childhood memories of playing dress-up.
Viral ‘colour analysis’ trend now available at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
The last few weeks has also seen Cheshire Oaks have a spring makeover, with a vibrant flower wall and colourful seating areas.
The free Colour Theory consultations launched last weekend and will continue on May bank holiday weekend, with bookings available on 4 and 5 May.
Colour analysis is a trend which has taken over TikTok, designed to assign individuals with their most flattering colours based on complexations, skin tones and other factors.
People can learn the dos and don’ts of colour at Cheshire Oaks with Kate Harrison and EWA.
The 20 minute one-to-one consultations will take place within the beautiful Spring Garden opposite Under Armour.
Cheshire Oaks is hosting The Great Dress Up series of events this summer
Shoppers can sit back and relax while more than 30 different fabric swatches are draped across your shoulders to determine your perfect colour palette.
Free expert talks will help you to learn about the importance of knowing your colours and what they mean for your style.
There are bounce back vouchers to the stores involved in the event as well as goodie bags containing a gift bag with colour swatches and more treats.
Visitors can either pre-book a session or snap up one of the limited walk-in appointments available on 4 and 5 May.
For more information and to book an appointment visit: mcarthurglen.com