Hickory secures first catering contract outside Scotland

Hickory, the Scottish independent catering, events and venue operator, has secured its first contract outside of Scotland.

The Edinburgh-based foodservice operator will be catering for the Sands Centre in Carlisle, which will complete its £27m redevelopment this autumn.

The ten-year partnership will see Hickory catering for the new restaurant, coffee shop, three bars and several function rooms, as well as the 200 professional events due to be held in 2023.

The Sands Centre received its multi-million-pound funding from Carlisle City Council and is operated by GLL, the largest UK-based charitable enterprise delivering health, leisure and community services.

Hickory's latest contract win comes after the announcement of its partnership with the National Museum of Scotland, the Trust Golf Women's Scottish Open and the Fringe by the Sea Festival.

Its portfolio also includes Borders Book Festival, Bars for the Genesis Scottish Open Golf Tournament in East Lothian and the Royal Highland Show.

James McGarry, general manager at the Sands Centre, said: "Hickory clearly understands the wide range of customers that will visit the Sands Centre, the type of food and drink they will be looking for and the prestigious events we will be hosting.

"They also put a real emphasis on using the best local ingredients and treating staff well. We're building a trusted relationship with Hickory and we're pleased that our businesses share the same ethos. We're really looking forward to working closely with Hickory in the months and years to come."

Stephanie Stubbs, Hickory managing director, added: "We're excited to have won the tender to take over catering operations at such an important time for the Sands Centre following its major redevelopment. This appointment marks the first step in our plan to expand outside Scotland, while continuing to grow in our home market.

"The investment in the Sands Centre is a game-changer for Carlisle and the surrounding areas, with the venue now offering a wide range of cultural and sporting facilities that are world class. Our catering will reflect the venue's premium position in Carlisle city centre where we'll work with local suppliers and provide excellent employment opportunities."

In February, Hickory revealed that it is set to almost double its turnover to £4.5m this year.