Lindley ousts rival Kudos to win £20m contract at Tottenham Hotspur FC
Lindley Venue Catering has ousted rival Kudos to win a hospitality catering contract at Tottenham Hotspur FC, in a deal worth more than £20m.
The stadia catering specialist, part of the Lindley Group, had previously worked alongside Crown Group-owned Kudos at the White Hart Lane stadium but only had responsibility for the public concourse catering, while Kudos delivered the hospitality. But following a rigorous tender process, Lindley scooped both elements of the operation.
The five-year deal will also see Lindley assume responsibility for the non-match day sales and marketing of the venue, a move that chief executive Adam Elliott indicated is becoming more common in its stadia contracts.
"When I took over we managed two stadiums where we did non-match day selling. Now, 18 months on, we're up to about 12 because we're showing that not only can we manage a stadium, we can sell and promote it, too," he said.
"A stadium has the potential to operate 365 days a year. That way my fixed costs on site will be used wisely and I am delivering better opportunities for the client."
Lindley will roll out its branded retail kiosks, originally piloted on the east stand of the ground, to the remaining three stands. The caterer will invest about £500,000 in the refurbishment of the kiosks, as well as the hospitality areas.
Since Elliott took the helm at Lindley Group in October 2010, the caterer has reported a string of new and retained business wins worth in excess of £90m, including a £21.3m deal with Gillingham FC and a £4m contract at Notts County FC. It also includes contracts won by the group's new division Lindley Heritage, which aims to apply the company's capabilities to a new sector.
A Crown Group spokesperson said: "Whilst we are naturally disappointed, we are a business that believes in looking forward and we have a number of exciting developments in the pipeline that we can't wait to get started on."
Kudos beats Lindley to £12m deal at rugby stadium >>
By Janie Manzoori-Stamford
E-mail your comments to Janie Manzoori-Stamford here.
Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs
