With less than a month until the opening of the first of 11 new locations in Yagan Square’s redeveloped Market Hall, its operators are more than halfway through recruiting a whopping 250 people to staff it.
Having rebadged the building as Stories, hospitality group Nokturnl carry the hopes of the State Government — and many in the city — that the new venue can reverse the fortunes of Yagan Square, dubbed at times since its 2018 opening as a white elephant.
Nokturnl is best known for its other venues, including Fremantle’s The Old Synagogue and The Beaufort in Highgate.
Stories spans an enormous 4000 square metres and has 11 bars, three restaurants and a private dining space. Its spaces will open progressively, with the first a restaurant later this month.
Mr Hoare explained the staggered approach would allow each space to operate at its optimum before the next one opened.
To deliver for the eventual near round-the-clock opening, a huge recruitment drive for 250 people has kicked off.
This number encompasses bar staff, front of house, kitchen and food preparation and in other operations. There were 1100 applications in the first week of advertising.
Hiring in 2024 is much easier than for The Beaufort in 2022, Stories general manager Sam Hoare said, which was exacerbated by COVID challenges.
Now, he said, the response had taken him aback, particularly because the venue was largely unknown and as yet untested, though Nokturnl’s reputation is well known.