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  1. ITV Report

Joint business venture in Essex is everyone's cup of tea

A school and museum in Essex have joined together in a new business venture. Staff and pupils from The Plume School in Maldon will help run the tea rooms at the Museum of Power in Langford. The project is the first of its kind in the county.

"We can now move staff between the two different organisations and, on top of that, we can use our own students. This at the museum is a perfect opportunity to give students real life exposure."

– Richard Scott, Business manager, The Plume School

The school has been awarded a one-year contract to supply catering services to the museum's vintage tea rooms. The school's experienced catering staff will help train the museum's team of dedicated volunteers. Students will also join in as part of their NVQ training.

"Part of their NVQ is for customer service, so that allows us to send them here to work within this environment which is a true working environment because we serve the public."

– Paula Flight, Catering Manager, The Plume School

The school has invested money in new equipment for the tea rooms and ingredients are sourced locally. It is all part of efforts to strengthen links with the school, the museum and the local community. It is hoped it will bring more visitors to the museum and also raise money for the school.