In advance of the introduction of the mandatory National Living Wage next April, the 34-strong French bakery and café brand has announced that it will increase the starting hourly rate to £7.20 per hour as of 1st November. Team members can earn up to £8.90 per hour reaching £9.60 per hour for supervisors.
Jean Michel Orieux, CEO of PAUL UK said:
“We see the introduction of this increase as extremely positive and are pleased to be one of the first companies in the UK to adopt it. Anything that encourages people to take up a career in the hospitality industry can only be a good thing. By paying the April rate ahead of many other hospitality businesses, we are showing our commitment to our existing employees and are confident this will attract new people to the business.”
PAUL recently announced record financial results for the year ended 31st December 2014. Highlights included revenue up 13.7% on a like-for-like basis, and group turnover was £24.6m, up 3.6% on 2013’s figure of £23.8m.
This year saw PAUL open its second restaurant at Tower 42 in the City and four bakeries at London’s Three Quays and Marble Arch as well as in Birmingham and Newbury. The group plans to open a further 7 bakeries over the next 12 months including a second site in Birmingham at New Street station in November.