R&B jockeys for racing market
Ring & Brymer, Gardner Merchant's leisure subsidiary, is rolling out a range of new in-house brands across its racecourse contracts.
As part of the strategy the company opened its first Mahony's Irish theme bar at Sandown, Surrey, last weekend.
Ring & Brymer has invested about £13,000 in fitting out the 30-seat outlet, formerly a standard snack bar.
Julie Cooper, group manager of Ring & Brymer's racecourse contracts, predicted that sales at the outlet would double following the rebranding.
On offer at Mahony's will be draught stout, Irish whiskey, seafood and home-made pies. A pie and a cup of tea will cost about £2.50.
Ring & Brymer, which holds contracts at six racecourses, has also developed three further brands: a sandwich and baguette offer, dubbed Something Fresh; a cheese and wine offer called Cheddar George; and the French-themed Café Normandie.
Six of these outlets are currently up and running and the company is looking for further sites for all these brands and Mahony's.
Meanwhile, Gardner Merchant's events subsidiary Town & County has secured a five-year deal to provide corporate hospitality catering at the Henley Royal Regatta, which will turn over a total of £4m.
The contract was formerly held by rival caterer Payne & Gunter, acquired by Compass Group for £6.5m in May.
- Gardner Merchant has confirmed its purchase of Tillery Valley Foods, the Gwent-based chilled and frozen food supplier.
