Compass signs £125m deal at Coventry City FC’s Ricoh Arena

Compass Group has signed a £125m deal extension at Coventry City FC’s Ricoh Arena to provide catering and facilities management services at the stadium.

The groundbreaking 10-year deal will see Compass cater for international sports, leisure, exhibition, conference and banqueting events at the complex, as well as handling sales and marketing and running the on-site hotel.

In a first for Compass, the caterer will run the 71-key Rooms & Silk Suites hotel at the arena outright, providing housekeeping, security, guest services and portering.

Daniel Gidney, chief executive of the Ricoh Arena, said: “This contract with Compass underlines the growth in size and international reputation of the Ricoh. It will see both companies continuing the progress they have made in partnership over the last five years.”

Matthew Thompson, managing director, sport, leisure & hospitality for Compass, added: “We have major joint ventures at other sporting venues, which take in catering and facilities, but this is the first time we have entered into such a deep integrated facilities management deal for multiple services with an operating company.”

Ricoh’s Jaguar Hall attracts more than 100 events a year, including conferences, exhibitions, banquets, product launches and Christmas parties. It can host concerts for up to 8,000 people as an indoor arena, and also includes a health club and the largest casino in the UK.

Last week Compass revealed it had won the race for the £500m Jockey Club Racecourse deal and in January the caterer won the deal to provide services at Ireland’s new Lansdowne Road stadium.

Compass Group awarded £6m Welsh Assembly Government deal >>

Compass Group restructures HR team >>
 
Catering giants tune in to FM for revenue growth >>

By Chris Druce

E-mail your comments to Chris Druce here.

Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Caterersearch.com jobs