A decade after embarking on a joint catering venture with Compass Group UK & Ireland, Surrey County Cricket Club has renewed the contract for a further five years. This extension will see the partnership run at the Kia Oval international cricket ground until 2021 and is worth an expected £50 million in turnover.
Under the deal, Levy Restaurants, Compass’ sport, leisure and hospitality sector in the UK & Ireland, will continue to deliver food and beverages, retail services and conferencing and events facilities at the venue on both match and non match days. At the same time, Keith Prowse – the UK’s leading official corporate hospitality provider, which is part of Levy Restaurants – will continue to sell and deliver match day hospitality.
250,000 cricket fans and delegates p.a.
Compass, through the joint venture, has delivered all food and hospitality services to the 250,000 cricket fans and event delegates that visit the Kia Oval each year since 2004.
During this time, customer feedback and sales data have driven developments in food offers, sales have been supported by a central marketing team and event bookings for non match days have risen by over 50%.
In addition, Levy Restaurants has continuously enhanced its offer to improve customer experience for guests on both non-match and match days. In March 2013, the Corinthian Roof Terrace was added to its inventory at the Kia Oval. The £250,000 development created a new space to take hospitality at the venue to new heights, offering guests grazing menus, spectacular views of matches alongside London vistas and a DJ booth for post-match parties.
Richard Gould, Chief Executive, at Surrey County Cricket Club said: “The Kia Oval is an iconic venue, both within London and further afield. Our customers and clients expect nothing but the best and extending this arrangement with Compass will ensure we continue to improve our operation – both within our sales team and by executing memorable match days for all our fans. Having invested £3.5m in the ground over the course of the last two years, we need to retain our place as one of the top stadia in world cricket and look forward to working with Compass to achieve this ambition.”