Levy Restaurants UK, the sport, leisure and hospitality sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland has extended its contract with Somerset House for a further 15 years.
Worth almost £6 million a year, this contract extension – starting in July 2015 – will take the partnership through to 2030 and will see existing services continued, including those run in partnership with renowned chef Tom Aikens; Tom’s Kitchen, Tom’s Kitchen Deli, Tom’s Kitchen Terrace and Tom’s Kitchen Events.
Pennethorne’s Cafe Bar
As part of the new deal, Levy Restaurants UK will be opening a new café bar at Somerset House this autumn. Pennethorne’s Cafe Bar is named after Sir James Pennethorne, a 19th century English architect who designed the Somerset House New Wing in which the new café bar will reside.
The 85-cover Pennethorne’s Cafe Bar is inspired by Pennethorne’s travels across Europe during the Grand Tour. The menu brings classic flavours from the Grand Tour travels to France, Italy and Spain to life with a modern English twist.
At the heart of the Pennethorne menu is the bakery, located on site at Somerset House and baking specialist breads and pastries throughout the day. Served morning, noon and night, freshly brewed coffees, craft beers and the finest selection of English and European wines accompany the menu, which features all-day dining small plates.
Jonathan Davidson, business director for leisure at Levy Restaurants UK said: “We’re passionate about delivering great experiences and have worked really hard to deliver an innovative service at Somerset House. I’m thrilled that we’ve been awarded a further 15 year contract. We can’t wait to open Pennethorne’s Cafe Bar; we’re focusing on quality, simplicity and freshness with a nod to Sir James Pennethorne himself, it’s going to be fantastic.”
Somerset House is a spectacular neo-classical building in the heart of London, sitting between the Strand and the River Thames. Somerset House also hosts open-air concerts and films, contemporary art and design exhibitions, family workshops and free guided tours.