Bistrot Pierre Southport is no longer viable and therefore closed with immediate effect

THE French style restaurant chain has closed 8 restaurants across the UK with immediate effect, including the 2 North West restaurants:- Southport and Preston, after the company was sold out of administration. This is yet another huge blow to the Seaside Town of Southport which has been hit extremely hard ever since the Covid Lockdowns. Now, with the National Insurance and the National Minimum Wage increases, announced in the Chancellors budget in 2024, this could be the start of many closures to come.

We are told that staff were shocked to find out that Bistrot Pierre had shut down the Southport Restaurant with immediate effect.

On Facebook the management company said:- "It is with great sadness that we announce the permanent closure of Bistrot Pierre Southport with immediate effect. The Bistrot Pierre brand is now under new ownership and will continue to operate in 10 locations. Please see our website for more details. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support over the years."

What had puzzled many in the Town Centre is that the outdoor furniture and advertising boards are still outside the restaurant on Lord Street, so quick was the closure.

Administrators Interpath Advisory said they would be providing support to those impacted:- "as a matter of priority."

In a statement to the media Chief Executive of Bistrot Pierre, Nick White, said that the planned increases around National Insurance and the National Minimum Wage to come into effect in April 2025 means it was impossible for some of the chain's smaller sites to keep trading. The other sites that have been closed include restaurants in:- Birmingham, Mere Green, Newport, Kidderminster, Leamington Spa, and Coventry.

The closures come 2 months after Cherry Equity Partners backed the management buyout of the Cabana Latin American restaurant chain.

Are you affected by this closure? if yes, please get in contact and let our Newsroom know what help you are being offered to you. Our Newsroom email address is:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com, alternatively please you can also message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter.

Hugh Baird University Centre PGCE Graduates to be Published in UCLan Research Journal

THE Hugh Baird University Centre is proud to announce that 2 of its recent PGCE graduates, Lee Tisdall and Alyssa Capon, have been selected for publication in the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) journal, Through the Looking Glass: Reflective Research in Post-Compulsory Education.

Lee and Alyssa, both staff members at Hugh Baird College, completed their Postgraduate Certificates in Education (PGCE) with the Hugh Baird University Centre in 2024. Alyssa currently teaches at the College's Thornton College campus, while Lee works as a Graphic Designer in the Marketing and Admissions department.

Their published research stems from the Action Research Project, a key second-year PGCE module that promotes continuous improvement in educational practices through a cycle of action, evaluation, and reflection. This methodology enables educators to gather evidence and implement innovative strategies to enhance teaching and learning.

The Through the Looking Glass: Reflective Research in Post-Compulsory Education is a journal published by UCLan to showcase some of the work of PGCE students at their university and partner colleges of the university. The action research projects are submitted to the journal, a panel will then review and pick the strongest of the submissions.

Lee's research, titled:- 'My Fake Plants Died Because I Did Not Pretend to Water Them: Introducing Music and Experimental Techniques to Release Creativity,' explored new ways to stimulate creative thinking in Art and Design students. He observed that students often rushed towards final ideas without fully engaging in experimentation. To address this, his project incorporated music from various genres into life drawing sessions, encouraging students to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new perspectives. The results showed increased motivation, self confidence, and originality, leading to more thoughtful and unique artistic creations.

Reflecting on his achievement, Lee said:- "I'm thrilled to have my research published. This project had a meaningful impact on my students and on my own understanding of creative exploration. I hope to expand on this research in the future."

Alyssa's project,:- 'Inclusive Knowledge, Adaptive Classroom,' focused on making SMART targets more accessible for students at Thornton College, many of whom have Special Educational Needs (SEN). By simplifying language and incorporating visual aids, she developed a method that allowed students with learning difficulties and disabilities to engage more independently. The success of this approach has led to its continued use in the classroom today.

Speaking about her publication, Alyssa shared:- "It's so exciting to see my research recognised in this way. It gives real meaning to the work I do, and I'm grateful for the support of my colleagues at Thornton College. Knowing that my project has contributed to improving SEN education is incredibly rewarding."

Diane Flynn, PGCE Course Lead at Hugh Baird University Centre, praised both graduates for their innovative contributions:- "I was highly impressed with the quality of research presented by all students this year, but Lee and Alyssa's work truly stood out. Their dedication to enhancing educational practice is already making a meaningful impact, and having their research published is a remarkable achievement. I couldn't be prouder of their success."

Lee and Alyssa are currently working with editors to refine their submissions, with their research set to appear in the next edition of the journal.

For more information about PGCE degrees at Hugh Baird University Centre, visit:- Hughbaird.AC.UK.