Defra chooses Compass for entire estate catering contract

Following a successful relationship providing catering to two of its sites, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has awarded Eurest Services the foodservice contract for its entire estate.

Press Release : Compass Group
Compass Group news team
Monday 09 May 2011

As part of the £12.5 million, five year deal Eurest Services will operate employee restaurants, hospitality, conferences and vending across Defra?s 10 sites in which some 7,500 employees are based. To ensure a consistent look and feel across the country, Eurest Services has designed a bespoke brand for Defra called Harvest which will be rolled out in all foodservice and retail areas in the early months of the contract.

In addition to its foodservice offer, Eurest Services will also introduce the Costa Coffee brand across the estate, including the two Westminster locations which will have fully licensed cafés. The contract will be operated at zero subsidy across each of the sites.

Andy Barry, Managing Director of Eurest Services (Foodservice) said, "During the tender process and throughout our relationship, we have proven the quality of our food offer, the breadth of our training programmes and our health, safety and environment credentials, showing Defra that they have a reliable partner in Eurest Services. We are proud to have been awarded the contract for the entire estate."

Andrew Croston, Head of Defra Procurement & Contracts Division, said, "The Eurest Services bid helps Defra provide a broader catering service to staff across our network and offers a quality and value for money service."

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For more information:
Katya Heath, Compass Group UK & Ireland
Tel: 01895 554114 / Mob: 07795 452522 / Email: katya.heath@compass-group.co.uk

About Eurest Services
Eurest Services provides a one-stop shop for businesses looking for catering and support services including security, maintenance and cleaning - customers trust Eurest Services to deliver more.

Eurest Services is part of Compass Group, the world's leading foodservice company. We specialise in providing food, vending and related services on our clients' premises and we generated annual revenues of £14.5 billion in the year to 30 September 2010. The company operates across the following core sectors of Business & Industry, Defence, Offshore & Remote Site, Healthcare, Education, Sports & Leisure and Vending with an established brand portfolio.