Activities

Talkington Bates is a privately-owned contract caterer that was founded in 1998 by Janice Talkington and Paul Bates. The group started out as an events/outside caterer but swiftly switched its focus to the business and industry sector, where it concentrates on company head offices.

The Buckinghamshire-based caterer operates primarily in the South-east and South-west of England but is looking to expand geographically. At present, its most northerly client is in Northampton.

Timeline

• September 1998: Talkington Bates is founded by Janice Talkington and Paul Bates, who had been working together at director level for caterer ACMS. The group initially focuses on the outside/event catering sector and its main customer is the Royal Guards polo club in Virginia Water, Surrey.
• February 1999:  After deciding to refocus its business on the contract catering sector, the group wins its first business & industry contract with Servier Laboratories near Slough – a contract it still holds in 2005.
• December 2005: The group starts its largest contract to date at two sites owned by the Royal Veterinary College in Camden and South Mimms, near Watford. The two-year contract turns over £850,000 a year.

Operating data

Turnover: £6.1m in 2005 (2004: £4.5m)
Number of contracts: 34 contracts
Number of staff: 210

Key directors

Joint managing director and founder: Janice Talkington
Joint managing director and founder Paul Bates

Contact

3A Warwick Road
Beaconsfield
Buckinghamshire
HP9 2PE

Tel: 01494 680 228
Fax: 01494 680 322

E-mail: sales@talkingtonbates.com
Website: http://www.talkingtonbates.com