De Vere set to buy caterer Searcy's

Caterer has learnt that the De Vere Collection, owned by the Alternative Hotel Group, is poised to buy exclusive caterer Searcy's.

The deal, which is expected to complete within the next few days, will see the caterer for London's Royal Opera House and 30 St Mary's Axe - the Gherkin -join De Vere, which has taken steps to put food and beverage at the heart of its hotel operations by appointing dedicated food and beverage directors at each site.

Searcy's, which has a turnover of £38.5m and more than 1,500 staff, was founded in 1847 and is owned by Richard and Nigel Goodhew.

By Chris Druce

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