Liverpool Cathedral have announced that specialist concession caterers Couture have secured the contract to manage our restaurant, cafe and hospitality suites. The decision came after a thorough review of our services which looked at how, in an increasingly competitive environment, we could offer high quality affordable hospitality.
Couture aim to start work in the Cathedral from June 27th and will be managing a phased handover of our catering facilities during the summer months. This will include subtle changes that will give our traditional spaces a contemporary feel while reflecting their long heritage.
Visitors will see this first in the refectory, which will be renamed the Welsford – a clear link to the Welsford Porch which was named after one of the Cathedral’s early benefactors.
The Cathedral was impressed by Couture’s understanding of our values and their philosophy towards offering freshly prepared food direct from the kitchen. They provided a range of creative menu options for the Cathedral that include the traditional Scouse and Sunday Lunches as well as a range of modern British dishes. All of the menus will be cooked and presented to high standards that we believe will delight visitors.
The contract with Couture will be a partnership between Cathedral and caterer. This was essential for the Cathedral to have someone who understood the unique nature of catering in a place of worship. The partnership will build and develop the work of our existing catering team.
Dean of Liverpool, the Very Revd Justin Welby said “we are delighted to be able to offer the contract to Couture. Their approach to food, the Cathedral and our partnership were very impressive ahead of a strong field of quality caterers. We look forward to working with them as they develop our catering”.
Couture’s Managing Director Marc Warde said “we are thrilled to be working in partnership with Liverpool Cathedral and furthering our growth in the north of England. Our offer of flexible space, great views and innovative food will work extremely well in the magnificent setting of Liverpool Cathedral”.
Couture will work over the summer on a series of gradual changes to the Cathedral’s catering areas as they start to deliver the contract. All existing catering staff have been offered jobs with Couture under TUPE arrangements.
- About Couture
Couture are an independent, creative fresh food company, specialising in commercial concession contracts within the arts, leisure, media sectors as well as putting their commercial approach into the corporate work place environment.
Their ethos at all of their locations is essentially simple – good, classic, British food, pleasant surroundings and excellent service, at value for money prices. They concentrate on delivering menus that have been made fresh and that champion fantastic suppliers whose emphasis is on sustainability, animal welfare, low food miles and great taste. www.trulydifferent.com
Liverpool Cathedral is the UK’s largest cathedral and the 5th largest in the world. It contains the highest and heaviest peal of bells in the world. The Cathedral holds the seat to the Bishop of Liverpool and is the centre for many diocesan and civic services as well as having a daily pattern of worship. The Cathedral is a place of welcome with over 400,000 visitors visiting it from across the world in 2010.