The catering and hospitality sector in Rugby
Poor Rugby. For years, the town has been in the shadow of its famous sporting namesake, which was born at Rugby School in 1823 when William Webb Ellis picked up a football and never looked back. Ask most people in Britain what they know about Rugby the town, and most will only be able to tell you about rugby the sport. However, there’s more to this Warwickshire town than its oval-shaped gift to the world.
From its Anglo-Saxon roots to its current incarnation as a bustling market town, Rugby’s rich heritage can be seen in its historic buildings and museums. The charming old town area is a great place for a spot of shopping, with a wide range of high street stores and thriving independent shops as well as an abundance of cafes and restaurants to choose from.
With access to lots of green spaces both in and around town as well as competitive wages, Rugby offers residents a good standard of living. In 2017, the town was named as one of the top 20 places to live in the UK by Halifax’s quality of life survey.
Rugby is also located in the heart of England, making it the ideal base to explore the wider region. And with over 70,000 people living in the town, opportunities for catering and hospitality workers are numerous.
According to our most recent data, catering and hospitality wages in Rugby are among the most competitive in Warwickshire. A head chef, for example, can expect to earn over £31,000 per annum, while a chef de partie earns around £20,000.
For chefs and other catering professionals looking to up their game, the Rugby area has many opportunities for training and development, including the Professional Cookery course at Rugby College.
