Independents by Sodexo has successfully retained the catering and hospitality contract with Clifton College in Bristol for a further five years. The contract starts on 1 September and is valued at £2.5m.
Clifton College, established in 1862, is one of the biggest and most prestigious co-ed schools in the country and has 1,255 students aged from 0 through to 18 years and has 389 boarders.
Independents by Sodexo will continue to provide the fresh, nutritious meals that Clifton College pupils love as part of a new menu which will be introduced when they return in September for the start of the academic year. The new menu has been developed to further encourage the adoption of a healthy, balanced, sustainable diet and has been designed to spark a genuine interest in the food they are eating.
Upper school pupils dine in the College’s main catering building called Big School Kitchen which is also used by the boarders for breakfast and supper. Pre and Prep pupils, nursery for babies from 3 months old – 3 years old have their own dining hall in the Bretton Memorial Hall and sixth formers have the Language café and Crypt for their use only.
Sodexo was first awarded the contract in 2017 and will also continue to provide catering at the College’s events and hospitality packages for various external functions held at the College. The demand for hospitality has increased at the College and Sodexo now has a dedicated hospitality manager with a team of three to deliver five-star menus for the wide-range of events held at the College.
A new hospitality booking system has been installed at the College and there are plans to introduce mobile solutions for use at the College’s many events which range from catering for music concerts, open days, parents’ evenings, house suppers, Headmasters’ VIP lunches, dinners, weddings and memorial services.
The catering and hospitality services continue throughout the summer holiday for the kids club, language school and corporate events which are held at the College.
Steve Hawkins, managing director, schools for Sodexo UK & Ireland, noted, “The retention of this contract is testament to the strong relationship our team has developed with the College.
'We have placed an emphasis on continuous improvement and innovation within the contract particularly in the area of the hospitality offer which will help the College realise its commercial objectives in generating revenue from external events and functions which the College can reinvest for the benefit of its students.”
Gemma Rudrum, finance director, Clifton College added, “Independents by Sodexo has proven to be a trusted partner to the College, enabling us to realise the commercial potential our wonderful Grade II-listed buildings and exquisite grounds.
'We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Sodexo and boosting the opportunities to host some wonderful events.”