A fresh start for the BBC?

BBC catering, famously derided over the years, will be revamped after the re-tendering of its facilities management contract, Caterer can exclusively reveal.

US group Johnson Controls won the five-year deal last week and will subcontract the catering after it takes over from Land Securities Trillium on
1 July.

Compass Group division Eurest currently operates most contracts across the 15 BBC sites, but it is understood the deals will be reviewed after questions were raised about quality.

A BBC insider said: "It will all be up for grabs now. Eurest is on sticky ground in terms of food quality and image."

The overall facilities deal, which includes engineering, car parking and pest control services, is believed to be worth in the region of £180m in annual turnover, of which the catering accounts for about £15m.

Independent caterer BaxterStorey is understood to be among the frontrunners to pick up some of the business from Eurest.

By Tom Bill

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