Newbury Racecourse has selected Levy UK + I, the sports, and hospitality division of Compass Group UK and Ireland, as its official catering and hospitality partner. The ten-year contract will build on the in-house capabilities Newbury Racecourse has used to date and enhance catering across the venue’s raceday and corporate operations.
Levy will work together with Newbury Racecourse to deliver outstanding catering and hospitality, complementing the venue’s wider drive to deliver memorable experiences for guests and customers – whether it is at a 20,000 attendance raceday, a team-building outdoor activity, a 1,000-person conference, or a small meeting. In addition to driving Newbury Racecourse’s catering and hospitality offering for racedays and corporate events, Levy will also cater breakfast at The Lodge, Newbury Racecourse’s 36-bedroom hotel, located on the grounds of the venue.
The new partnership has a key aim to enhance the customer experience, as the venue looks to reopen post-pandemic with innovative, exciting, and safe experiences for guests throughout their visit. Levy and Newbury Racecourse have created a new food and drink brand, Taste Newbury, to drive this forward.
Levy will introduce a range of delicious and sustainable food and beverage options to guests. Attendees at racedays will now benefit not only from Levy’s partnership with KERB and taste the very best street food, but they will also benefit from Levy’s partnership with Peppermint Bars, improving the quality and choice of drinks on offer at the venue.
Levy will deploy digital menus, cashless solutions, and innovative ordering technology to reduce queuing times, while also ensuring high standards of hygiene. These measures will be reinforced by reduced capacities across the venue’s internal spaces, effective signage, regular cleaning, and hand sanitiser stations around the site.
In line with Levy Cares, which outlines Levy’s commitment to the planet, its people, and the communities it operates in, Levy will build on Newbury Racecourse’s strong sustainability and societal initiatives. This includes continuing to recruit workforces from the local area as well as using regionally sourced produce in its catering. The partnership will also see Newbury Racecourse increase the number of plant-based food options on its menus.
Jon Davies, Managing Director at Levy UK + Ireland said: “As sporting venues across the UK begin to reopen, we are working with Newbury Racecourse to ensure that guests are offered the exciting and memorable visit they have been waiting for during lockdown. Newbury Racecourse and Levy share a vision on how best to futureproof the spectator experience and innovate the venue’s catering and hospitality operations. We will build on the important ethos they have placed on food and drink across their business – by improving technology, offering great food and drink choices, building a sustainable approach as well as investing in the local community.”
Julian Thick, Chief Executive for Newbury Racecourse commented: “Levy has an unparalleled level of expertise and experience in delivering outstanding catering and hospitality at some of the country’s largest and most prestigious venues, and we’re confident and excited that they will have a positive impact here at Newbury Racecourse. We are passionate about ensuring the very best customer experience across every event and are looking forward to working with the Levy team to bring new and exciting high-quality menus and hospitality experiences to all our customers.”
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Hospitality & Catering News: Newbury Racecourse awards new 10 year foodservice contract. – 2 June 2021 – Newbury Racecourse awards new 10 year foodservice contract.
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