Derby Theatre has awarded a new six year contract to provide and develop all of the catering services at the 649-seat arts venue to Lindley Heritage – the division created by The Lindley Group in 2011 to offer a bespoke, high quality catering service for arts and leisure venues, museums, historic houses and visitor attractions.
£3 million contract
Previously known as Derby Playhouse, Derby Theatre is owned by the University of Derby and the venue produces and presents professional productions, as well as housing 80 Theatre Arts students, who learn and work alongside theatre professionals. After putting the catering contract (previously managed by Autograph) out to tender, the theatre’s new management team selected Lindley Heritage to enhance and expand the catering operation, which is expected to generate a turnover of around £½ million per annum, totalling £3 million over the duration of the contract.
Cafe, bar and new dining area
As well as re-launching the existing Bistro Deli Café, which provides the local community with a meeting place throughout the day; and operating the first floor Lounge Bar, which is open for evening and pre- and post-theatre production drinks; Lindley Heritage has created a new 50-cover dining area adjacent to the Lounge Bar to offer pre-theatre meals.
The new restaurant facility – The Bistro – will be cross marketed and promoted by the theatre through the booking office, and, along with all other front of house facilities and services, will serve both the 539-seat main auditorium and the separate 110-capacity Studio.
Gary Johnson, General Manager at The Derby Theatre, says: “The theatre is very much rooted in the local community whilst being international in its outlook. We are in the process of transforming from a traditional producing house to an organisation for training, mentorship and artistic excellence. We aim to be an exemplar of a new way of looking at the role and responsibility of a theatre to its community and Lindley Heritage’s approach to developing our catering facilities and services is very supportive of this philosophy.
“Through its US parent company, Centerplate, Lindley Heritage has the breadth of experience and insight you’d expect from being part of a global provider of hospitality services, whilst being mindful of and attuned to working with local suppliers and ensuring the offering benefits and has the local community’s interests at its heart.”
