Compass adds 15 years to contract with Hatfield House

Compass Group's Sport, Leisure and Hospitality division has extended its partnership with Hatfield House and Park for a further 15 years.

The new deal is expected to be worth £2.5m a year in turnover by year five following a major redevelopment programme to expand the visitor attractions and facilities, which is scheduled to be complete next April.

The opening months are to be extended from six to 11 and visitor numbers are expected to increase significantly from 100,000 year as a result. Compass Group is extending the existing Coach House restaurant over two floors and creating a new café to offer more choice and accommodate the increased footfall to the historic palace and grounds.

Matthew Thompson, managing director of Compass' sport, leisure and hospitality business, said: "The future for the house is equally exciting and Compass is proud to be part of it. We are going to be working closely together on all aspects of the extended catering and hospitality offer and very much look forward to continuing the partnership in the newly developed setting."

In addition to numerous annual events and performances, visitors to the Old Palace childhood home of Elizabeth I will benefit from nine new shops, a new children's adventure playground and a traditional breeds children's farm.

Nick Moorhouse, business director at Hatfield House said: "We are absolutely delighted to have agreed a new 15 year contract with Compass, which is a key element of our vision for making Hatfield House and Park an all year round leisure attraction, appealing to all ages and visitors with a broad range of interests."

Compass began working with Hatfield House in 2005 after it was awarded the contract following a competitive tender.

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By Janie Stamford

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