It may have only been around in our city for a couple of months now, but Brigad already looks like it’s fast becoming the future for freelancers.
In you’re unfamiliar with this innovative new app and what it’s all about, Brigad first burst onto the hospitality scene all the way back in 2016, and went on to make a deserved name for itself both here in the UK and with our overseas neighbours in France, before it finally launched in Manchester earlier this year.
Brigad prides itself on being a company with a mission, and the goal is “to make work attractive and accessible to all”.
It’s a platform that allows businesses in our city 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 also gives freelancers to the chance to choose work freely every day from a large number of well-paid assignments that work ideally for their timetable, lifestyle, career path, and income.
Given that the hospitality industry has had to overcome a lot more than other sectors post-COVID, and with the staffing crisis within the sector now said to be reaching points of over 3,000 ongoing open vacancies, Brigad could not have come to Manchester at a more ideal time.
Having already connected around 4,000 freelance workers with opportunities across London, the company is adamant that there is no time to waste in applying these resources to the great city of Manchester, and says its presence here is vital to “ensure efficient post-pandemic recovery” of the city’s hospitality industry.
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But, if you’re a freelance professional in Manchester hospitality who’s keen to change the way you work, then what exactly is Brigad all about? How do you use it? And what do you need to know to get started?
Let’s break it down.
How does Brigad work for freelancers?
Brigad is all about collaboration.
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It’s a platform that puts end-to-end collaboration between hospitality businesses and qualified self-employed professionals right at the forefront, and is all about empowering hospitality workers by helping to connect them to temporary freelance shifts with a decent and fair minimum hourly payment.
To get started, you’ll simply need to download the app from your app store, and sign up by completing your personal information and uploading a copy of your ID.
How do I use the app?
Once you’ve officially signed up, you’ll first need to book a slot with a member of the Brigad team, who will introduce the app to you and discuss your experience and skills in order to give you the best experience, all before you take on your first mission.
After you’ve successfully accepted your first mission, you’re then set to earn on average 15% more than the industry standard income – and all with no obligation to accept regular shifts.
All that’s left now is to turn up to your first mission, and let Brigad know how it goes by leaving the business a review – which gives other Brigaders an insight into what it’s like to work at the business.
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This, once again, encourages helpful and collaborative communication.
It puts end-to-end collaboration between hospitality businesses and qualified self-employed professionals at the forefront / Credit: Arnaud Caillou
Is it flexible? What happens if I need to cancel after signing up for work?
Brigad offers freelancers a great deal of flexibility as there is no minimum or maximum number of shifts required to be a ‘Brigader’, and this allows you to have complete control over the way you wish to work, with no impact on your career in hospitality going forward.
Businesses can also choose to favourite freelancers who have fit in with their establishment particularly well, and this means you’ll receive their shifts before other Brigaders.
This means regular work with no contract – the dream, for many.
But if you do need cancel your shift last minute though, for whatever reason that may be, you will need to be mindful that this could affect your ability to receive missions in the future, as last-minute cancellations are a great inconvenience to businesses, and most of the time, they are unable to find a replacement for you.
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Any tips for signing up to work? And is there room for career progression?
Brigad says it always recommends calling the business you have signed up to work for in advance to check how early to turn up for your shift, what to wear, and if there is anything extra you need to bring with you, as this not only helps you to be as prepared as possible, but businesses particularly appreciate it too and it creates a good first impression.
Remember to be your best self too, because as a self-employed professional, businesses will also be leaving a review on you.
Once you have established yourself on the Brigad app with good reviews and frequent shifts, the company says it can offer the opportunity for career development through earning the ‘Super Brigader’ badge – which means you can then receive 1-1 advice from an advisor to ensure your career is developing as you’d like.
Brigad connects workers to temporary freelance shifts with a decent and fair minimum hourly payment / Credit: Arnaud Caillou
Where can I find out more information and sign up?
If you’re keen to find out more information and discover how Brigad can help shape the future of your freelance hospitality career across Manchester, then make sure you head on over to the company’s website here.
Manchester’s Barton Aerodrome announces huge line-up of outdoor gigs including McFly, JLS and UB40
Daisy Jackson
Three new shows have been announced for an open-air gig series at Barton Aerodrome this summer.
Barton LIVE has today confirmed that McFly, JLS and UB40 will be taking to the stage, where the backdrop will be the bustling runway of Barton Airport.
The summer series also includes performances from The Jacksons Live, 90s Baby Festival, and Boogietown North.
Barton LIVE’s summer series takes place at one of the country’s most unique and exhilarating settings at Barton Aerodrome, where the worlds of music and aviation come together.
The three new shows that have just been announced kick off with McFly on Thursday 12 September.
The pop-rockers, famed for their hits like Five Colours In Her Hair, All About You and Obviously, will take centre stage with a typically high-energy performance.
Then on Saturday 14 September, the stage will be given over to British boy band royalty JLS, whose chart-topping hits include Beat Again, Everybody in Love, and She Makes Me Wanna.
Their signature blend of R&B, pop, soul and silky-smooth vocals will be part of Barton LIVE’s star-studded end-of-summer line-up.
Finally, on Sunday 15 September, legendary reggae band UB40 featuring Ali Campbell will perform.
They’ll be whisking audiences away to the warm and vibrant Caribbean through their iconic reggae rhythms and songs like Red Red Wine, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and Kingston Town.
Tickets for McFly, JLS and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell at Barton LIVE will be available on Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up for tickets via www.bartonlive.co.uk
Over the course of the summer, the stage at Barton Aerodrome will welcome the likes of Ronan Keating, The Jacksons, Peter Andre, Blue, Eternal, Sister Sledge Ft Kathy Sledge, Soul II Soul, Boney M and many more.
Barton LIVE line-up in full for outdoor gig series at Barton Aerodrome
Friday 19July – The Jacksons LIVE (The Jacksons, Kenny Thomas, Soul Boutique Collective) – tickets £39.50 plus booking fee via Skiddle here.
Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July – 90s Baby Festival (Ronan Keating, Eternal, Peter Andre, Blue, Five, A1, Scott Mills, 911, Sonique, Blazin Squad, Dave Pearce, Phats & Small, N-Trance, Happy Clappers Ft Sandra Edwards, Baby D, Alison Limerick, Ultrabeat, JX, Livin Joy Ft Luzahnn, Urban Cookie Collective, Nick Coulson + support) – tickets £39.50 from Skiddle here.
Saturday 27 July – Boogietown North (Sister Sledge Ft Kathy Sledge, Soul II Soul, Tunde Of Lighthouse Family, Boney M, Trevor Nelson, Craig Charles, Gina Breeze, Supernatire Disco, Nick Coulson) – tickets £39.50 from Skiddle here.
Thursday 12 September – McFly – tickets £44.50 plus booking fee, on sale Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up via bartonlive.co.uk
Saturday 14 September – JLS – tickets £49.50 plus booking fee, on sale Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up via bartonlive.co.uk
Sunday 15 September – UB40 featuring Ali Cambell, tickets £39.50 plus booking fee, on sale Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up via bartonlive.co.uk
Featured image: Supplied
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Popular Manchester Italian restaurant launches great-value express menu and mouth-watering new dishes
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s best Italian restaurants is ready to launch a brand new menu – with a top-value express deal too.
Italiana Fifty-Five, formerly known as the foodie favourite Cibo, is expanding its offering with even more authentic pastas, pizzas, salads and seafood dishes.
The restaurant has sites across Greater Manchester, including in the Great Northern, on Liverpool Road, and in Didsbury, all serving up authentic Italian food.
And now the family-friendly eatery is ready for a new season, with a whole host of new dishes to sink your teeth in to.
Italiana Fifty-Five’s new menu features a brand new Rigatoni Italiana, a spicy and rich pasta dish that’s baked so that it becomes a bubbling bowl of molten cheese and creamy tomato sauce.
Meatballs at Italiana Fifty-Five. Credit: The Manc GroupBurrata bruschetta and tiger prawns from Italiana Fifty-Five. Credit: The Manc GroupRisotto Zafferano with king prawns
They also have a new Risotto Zafferano, a risotto cooked in saffron and pecorino cheese so that it arrives glowing a healthy yellow, with the option to add king prawns on top.
For starters, there are new dishes like a mozzarella, avocado and tomato salad, meatballs swimming in a hearty tomato sauce, and a seafood stew with gigantic prawns and mussels.
You can also order huge tiger prawns cooked in garlic and chilli, their tender meat served still in their shells, or a roasted tomato bruschetta topped with fresh burrata.
All these new menu items (and more) are available at Italiana Fifty-Five now, along with a brand new Italian Express set menu.
Dishes on Italiana Fifty Five’s express menu. Credit: The Manc GroupSalami pizza at Italiana Fifty FiveDishes on Italiana Fifty Five’s express menu. Credit: The Manc Group
If you dine from the Express menu, you can get a delicious Italian dish served with a tea, coffee or soft drink, for only £14.75.
Choose from a creamy mushroom risotto funghi, the aforementioned Rigatoni Italiana, a classic chicken Caesar salad, pan-fried seabass with parsley, lemon and spinach, or a fiery Diavola pizza covered in spicy salami and red onion.
To find out more about Italiana Fifty-Five and to book your table, click here.