Compass in food court

by Gaby Huddart

Compass Group is stepping up its drive into shopping mall food courts with the signing of a lease to run six kiosks at the Glades shopping centre in Bromley, Kent.

Owner of the Glades, Capital Shopping Centres, first approached Compass with a deal more than a year ago and the two sides have been in talks ever since.

"The Glades previously had separate tenants in each of the food court outlets so Capital had to employ staff to clear tables and keep the area tidy," explained Steve Rister, business development manager at Compass Retail Catering. "By getting us in to run the whole food court, Capital can enjoy hassle-free catering and profits."

The company is currently refurbishing the site at its own expense. It is putting in four brands from its New Famous Foods division: Pizza Hut Express, Upper Crust, Café Select and Traditional Favourites. It has also devised two offerings specifically for the Glades - a burger bar and a baked potato kiosk. All kiosks will be up and running by August.

Under the terms of the seven-year lease, Compass will pay a turnover-related rent. Mr Rister forecast turnover at between £1.6m and £2m in the first year of operation.

The move into Bromley's shopping centre marks the third such deal by Compass. It already runs food courts at Cambridge's Grafton Centre and at the Princes Meade centre in Farnborough, Hampshire.

Mr Rister said Compass was hoping to taken on another 10 food courts in shopping centres nationwide by 1996.

It is also scheduled to open a food hall at indoor holiday centre Fantasy Island when it opens later this month in Skegness. It will offer a Burger King, a Nescafé coffee bar, a Pizza Hut Express and The Fryary, a new fish and chip concept. Compass staff will also run two bars.