Ampersand wins five-year contract at Sage Gateshead
Ampersand has won a multi-million pound catering contract at music and events venue Sage Gateshead.
The five-year deal comes just two years after Lindley Heritage (now Centerplate UK) announced its own five-year contract at Sage, which it said was worth £12.5m. However the contract was terminated early by mutual agreement between Centerplate and Sage.
Speaking to The Caterer, Adrian Dishington, Centerplate's chief operating officer in the UK, said: "We are very proud of the work we have done and the results we have achieved with the team at Sage Gateshead during the past two years.
"Discussions have taken place in recent months following changes in both parties' future business strategies, and this has resulted in the mutual decision to bring the agreement to an end."
Ampersand, part of CH&Co Group, declined to reveal the value of the contract, which will commence in January 2016.
The Lord Foster-designed venue, located on the banks of the River Tyne, opened in 2004 and currently attracts more than 600,000 visitors a year.
Ampersand will be responsible for managing the five bars, a brasserie, a café and events for up to 400 guests. A team of up to 70 Ampersand staff will provide the services. If both concert theatres are in use, there can be in excess of 3,600 customers on site.
Paul Jackson, managing director of Ampersand, commented: "Even though Ampersand has contracts across the UK, Sage Gateshead is our first contract in the North East and it's a very exciting opportunity for us. The building is incredible, the location is great and the facilities inside are amazing. These three elements give us a very good platform to build on with Sage Gateshead to maximise the potential of the venue."
Abigail Pogson, Sage Gateshead's managing director, added: "We're here to offer great music and great experiences and that's why it's important to us that Sage Gateshead's bars, cafes and brasserie are a cut above.
"Ampersand won a highly competitive tender process with a combination of creativity, innovation and flair and we're looking forward to working with them, and making a visit to our great building as enjoyable as possible."
Lindley Heritage Group wins £12.5m catering contract at The Sage Gateshead >>
