Sodexo scores with new stadium contract

Sodexo, the world’s largest services company, has won a three-year contract to provide hospitality, conference and banqueting services at Dundee United’s Tannadice Park football stadium.

Founded in 1909, Dundee United is welcoming Sodexo from the 2014/15 Scottish Premier League (SPL) season to both develop the business and also play an integral part in the club’s growth strategy.

As part of this new strategy, the company’s latest offering, Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events will provide delegates of the club with bespoke catering and event packages, underpinned by the expert team of chefs who focus on using sustainable and locally-sourced produce wherever possible.

Tannadice makes it a hat-trick of stadiums for Sodexo in Scotland, added to existing contracts at Pittodrie Stadium, home of fellow SPL club Aberdeen, and Hampden Park, the national football stadium.

In England, Sodexo provides services at Everton’s Goodison Park and Newcastle United’s St James’ Park in the Premier League, and Brighton and Hove Albion’s American Express Community Stadium and Huddersfield Town’s John Smith’s Stadium in the Championship.

Austin Tilsley, regional director of Sodexo Prestige in Scotland, said: “We are thrilled to announce Sodexo Prestige’s latest contract win with the home of Dundee United, Tannadice Park.

“We’ve been brought in for an initial three years to help drive the hospitality side of the business as well and help boost the growth of conference and banqueting, something we have had a great track record of at other venues across both Scotland and England.

“Our new Prestige Venues & Events offering will also support our growth strategy by providing day hospitality guests with exciting, bespoke packages with a strong focus on in-season produce and menus designed by our team of innovative chefs.

Our chefs create dynamic, fresh menus using local ingredients whenever possible, something I believe will drive more new business to the club.

“We are passionate about delivering our first class hospitality in all of our venues and look forward to helping raise the standards at the club, ultimately helping to attract new business and grow the club as a must-see venue.”

The expert caterers also provide in-house catering at the city’s Discovery Point visitor attraction making this new venture their second site in Dundee.

Dundee United Director Justine Mitchell said: “We are committed to grow the hospitality and events side of our business, particularly on non match days.

“Tannadice Park is a unique venue with a number of lounges and meeting rooms catering for small private gatherings and up to larger groups of 150 guests or delegates.

As such we can offer a wide variety of events and functions, ranging from full conference facilities, weddings, celebration events and business meetings.

“The Boardroom is also available for those special occasions which demand a special venue. We are delighted to secure the services of such an experienced partner as Sodexo Prestige to help us grow this business and ensure that our current and future match day hospitality is of a consistently high quality.”

It is anticipated that the new contract win will help boost not only the club’s growth but also help influence tourists to visit the city as part of the wider Water Front development, set to see a £1bn regeneration of the city.