Caterer and Hotelkeeper – 30470

Midland splits for tender…

MIDLAND Bank's £4m-a-year staff catering operation, run by Gardner Merchant, has been split into five regions in preparation for next month's retendering.

Jacqui Newton, manager of group food services at the bank, said the contract was being divided up to give some of the smaller contract caterers the opportunity to bid.

She is also, for the first time, requesting tenders on floppy disc, enabling an immediate and more accurate comparison to be made, and saving considerable time and expense for all parties.

Following qualitative research, six of the original 12 contractors considered by Midland have been invited to tender: Gardner Merchant, Catering & Allied, Summit Catering, High Table, Brian Smith Catering Services and Sutcliffe.

Gardner Merchant is the only one bidding for the whole operation, whichencompasses about 10,000 meals a day in 24 staff restaurants. This does not include the bank's executive dining and vending.

Tenders have to be in by 9 March, and the new three-year contracts start on 1 May.

…as High Table goes for growth

HIGH Table's tender for four of the five Midland Bank regions is part of a continued strategy for expansion at the French-owned caterer.

Recent changes in France mean it is now part of a company called Elior, which is jointly owned by Générale des Eaux and Générale de Restauration.

Traditionally High Table has been perceived as a City dining room caterer, but managing director Tim West said future expansion would concentrate on the staff catering sector.

In the year to September 1993 the company madepre-tax profits of £621,000 on a turnover of £20m.