The Hammersley Restaurant has been announced as a finalist for the Hospitality, Leisure & Tourism Award at the 2026 Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards, sponsored by Wilkinson Collective.

Opened in October 2023 at Stoke-on-Trent College, the Hammersley Restaurant has quickly established itself as one of the city’s most distinctive dining destinations. AA College Rosette-accredited, People 1st Silver-accredited and holding a perfect five-star TripAdvisor rating, it offers genuine fine dining at accessible prices, run entirely by hospitality and catering students.

A £200,000 investment in a state-of-the-art pastry kitchen has expanded training capability, while partnerships with the World of Wedgwood and Courtyard by Marriott Keele give students real-world experience before they graduate. Sold-out themed evenings, a Centenary Lunch attended by the Lord Mayor and Lord Lieutenant, and bookings from Stoke-on-Trent City Council demonstrate a reach that few college restaurants achieve.

Stuart Elford, Chief Executive of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Hammersley is a remarkable achievement. A fine dining restaurant run entirely by students, with an AA College Rosette, a perfect TripAdvisor rating and a guest list that includes the Lord Mayor and Lord Lieutenant. It is a genuine launchpad for the next generation of hospitality talent in Staffordshire, and the investment Stoke-on-Trent College has made in it reflects how seriously they take that responsibility. A very worthy finalist.”

The winners will be revealed at a gala awards ceremony at Uttoxeter Racecourse on Thursday 9 July 2026, followed by The After Party, a late-night celebration for finalists, winners and partners.

To find out more about the 2026 Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards, visit staffordshirechambers.co.uk/awards.