Blue Apple wins badminton contract
Blue Apple, the Berkshire-based independent caterer, has won a three-year contract at the National Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The centre has opened a £1.2m residential sport science suite, where the national badminton squad live while training. Blue Apple provides catering for the 25 squad members and at three conference rooms. It also operates a bar and club room at an adjacent Holmes Place health club. The contract, previously held by Sodexho, is worth £250,000 in annual turnover.
Local staff buy out Loch Fyne Oysters
Loch Fyne Oysters, the family-owned seafood business, has been bought by its 100 local employees backed by a £2m loan from specialist employee-ownership trust Baxi. The company was put on the market last year, following the death of founder Johnny Noble. Further financing for the deal has been arranged by the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Alliance adds three
Catering Alliance has added three new clients to its portfolio in the South-west and Wales. It has started a three-year contract with electronic goods firm Panasonic in South Wales, which will turn over £250,000 a year. Catering Alliance will provide breakfast, lunch, vending, trolley and hospitality service for 750 staff. A similar contract with Allied Bakeries was won as part of a group deal and has an annual turnover of £130,000. Catering Alliance will also feed 700 staff at chicken products firm Faccenda, also as part of a group contract, and with annual turnover of £270,000.
Wiltons reopens
Wiltons, the ultra-traditional London restaurant, was due to reopen today (6 March) after a major refurbishment that has been under way since the New Year. Most of the work at the Jermyn Street building involved improving the kitchen, but regulars will also notice a new carpet and some small changes in the dining room.
Carluccio's in profit
London-based Italian café and food shop chain Carluccio's saw turnover double last year, largely thanks to new openings. Figures released last week showed that in the 12 months to 29 September 2002, turnover more than doubled to reach £12.7m, compared with £6m for the same period in 2001. Operating profit increased to £322,000, up from a loss of £92,000 a year earlier. The company opened five new caf‚s during the year, taking its portfolio to 10.