The-Bolt-Spring-Summer-2014

Anna and Leanne taste success
STUDENT NEWS
11
When University of Bolton
Senior Lecturer, Anna
Mitchell, answered the phone
one Sunday afternoon to hear
her friend’s restaurant
interior design dilemma, she
didn’t hesitate to lend a hand.
Restaurateur Matt Quinn had just four
weeks left before the opening of his
Poynton Thai restaurant Tom Yam and
one big problem – he didn’t like the
designs for the look of the interior.
Professional practice is a key part of
keeping skills up to the minute for
Anna and projects help develop
industry contacts for lecturing.
As University of Bolton graduate,
Leanne Wylie, had just returned from
Sydney, Anna (pictured right) thought
this could be a great opportunity for
her. Leanne had been working in
interior design, transforming high-end
properties for wealthy Australians.
More than happy to be working with
Anna, the two set to work.
Said Anna: ‘I could see why Matt was
concerned. He said “can you come and
have a look? I’m just not happy with
the concept or how it is starting to
look”. Matt was right, the concept
wasn’t right – he needed a more highend
look for his Thai restaurant and so
I offered to take on the project. Some
elements could be stopped but with
four weeks to go some, such as the
furniture, were already ordered and so
we had to work with that. Then there
was the added pressure that every
material we chose would have to be
readily available or made very quickly.’
Added Leanne: ‘We even made some
features ourselves. At one point we
were gold leafing picture frames in
Anna’s studio at close to midnight.
‘To be honest, the building contractors
were doubtful we could pull it off in
the time, but each and every one of
them came up and congratulated us
when it was finished, saying it was the
best project they had worked on.’
Restaurateur Matt couldn’t be more
delighted. ‘What Anna came up with
and delivered in four weeks is
absolutely amazing. I can’t thank her
enough.’
Welcome home, Laura
Former X Factor contestant, Laura White, wowed
students, staff and fans at her homecoming gig in
the University’s Social Learning Zone.
The singer, who is originally from Atherton, studied Creative
Writing at the University in 2008. Laura then took part in the
X Factor making it to the live rounds under the coaching of
Cheryl Cole.
Since then Laura has relocated to London where she is
writing music for herself and some of the biggest artists in
the world, including Rihanna.
On her new EP, What My Mother Taught Me, Laura has
written a song called Jimi Hendrix. The track has won the
attention of the legendary guitarist’s family who now want to
collaborate with Laura in New York.