Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Fifteen in Watergate Bay near Newquay has won an award in what is being billed as the EU regional funding ‘Oscars’. The Cornish restaurant is being recognised for its work in training and creating jobs for disadvantaged young people at a ceremony being held today in Brussels. The European Commissioner for regional policy, Johannes Hahn, will be handing out the awards. Fifteen was built in part with EU money and has received just over £2million (€2.5million) from the European Social Fund and European Regional Development Fund for its work in trying to get young people with a history of anything from suspended prison sentences, mental illness or substance abuse back on track. Fifteen has done a fantastic job of taking the most disadvantaged youngsters and giving them another chance in life. It has become a champion of local Cornish produce and created a host of jobs in the restaurant’s supply chain – not to mention the extra tourism. Giving these young men and women a job – something they can really sink their teeth into – and an opportunity to prove they are worth their salt that has in many cases turned their lives around. I am pleased that Cornwall is being showcased to the rest of Europe at these awards tonight. EU regional policy is aimed at levelling out the differences in economic development between richer and poorer parts of the EU. Cornwall is set to receive £535m between now and 2020. Between 1999 and 2009, Cornwall received over £1 billion of EU funding. This funding has helped build new roads, business parks, better rail connections, one of the fastest rural broadband connections in Europe and contributed to the establishment of the Combined Universities of Cornwall.
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 17:32:27 +0000
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