Bartlett Mitchell wins first private members club contract

Bartlett Mitchell has won its first conference and banqueting contract at a private members club, in a deal worth £3.5m over the full-term.

The contract caterer will provide services at the Royal Thames Yacht Club’s base of operations in London’s Knightsbridge for an initial period of three years. Restaurant Associates, part of Compass Group, previously ran the contract.

The club has two bars; reading rooms; a restaurant called the Coffee Room; and on site accommodation dubbed “cabins”. It also encompasses private meeting/dining rooms and banqueting facilities for up to 165 guests.

Captain David Freeman, secretary of the Royal Thames Yacht Club said: “We had to be certain that our caterer could provide the highest level of service and best quality of food and beverage to our very discerning membership and visitors.”

Wendy Bartlett, managing director of Bartlett Mitchell, added: “Clubs today have a real challenge in respecting the traditions of the club and meeting the needs of their members, whilst also balancing tough commercial needs. 

“We’re looking forward to helping the club gradually introduce a number of new catering offers aimed at increasing sales and patronage.”

In November last year, the caterer scooped its most prestigious City contract to date when in took on the catering for more than 1,000 staff at information services firm McGraw Hill.

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By Chris Druce

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