Chartwells signs £58m Swansea University deal

Chartwells Universities has signed a 10-year contract valued at £58m to overhaul the catering facilities at Swansea University.

The University’s refectory space on Singleton Campus will be converted into a new social hub by the end of 2022, which will be renamed the Swansea Social Hideaway. A second social hub will be created on Bay Campus in place of the Core catering outlet.

The format will replicate progressive working spaces in cities across the UK, offering flexible areas for study, socialising and downtime, as well as being able to host pop-up events, broadcast live sports matches via big screens, and will see the introduction of a low and no alcohol bar.

The agreement, which started in January, will include Chartwells Universities’ own brands such as Hollo Pollo, Bamboo, and Liberty Grill, alongside Subway, Greggs, and Tortilla outlets, which will operate under franchise agreements.

A new operating model was informed by research into how the behaviours of Gen Z consumers have evolved through the pandemic, which identified taste, speed, convenience and choice as the four key motivating factors when making food and drink purchases.

Chartwells’ Uni Food Hub app will allow students and staff to place food and drink orders for collection or delivery at locations across campus, as well as offering loyalty points and a parent wallet top up option.

Students will also be able to access educational nutritional content, book in for cooking classes, give back to their local community via volunteering opportunities and book tickets for events across campus, as well as order cook-at-home food boxes to be delivered to their halls or accommodation, through partnerships with Pizza Pilgrims and Hello Fresh.

Chartwells Universities’ relationships with external delivery platforms will also mean that the offering will be available for delivery within the local area to both locals and students living off-campus.

Kerry Ford, managing director, Chartwells Universities said: “This tender submission was the culmination of a significant period of development that we believe will fundamentally change the way students view and engage with the food and beverage offer across universities. Every element of the offer is deep-rooted in insight and has been specifically moulded around the wants and needs of students.

“We truly believe this is a significant evolution in university catering, moving away from trying to compete with the high street, and bringing in leading technology, brands and trends to create an attractive offer that meets the needs of today’s students.”

Ben Lucas, associate director of commercial services at Swansea University, said: “The bid from Chartwells Universities really stood out due to its truly innovative format. Clearly, a lot of thinking has gone into understanding what trends are shaping consumer behaviours amongst Gen Z customers, before pulling together disparate trends and pieces of technology into one coherent operating model.

“Convenience, quality and value are clearly incredibly important to our students, but, what really stood out in the approach was the additional added value, educational and CSR initiatives, such as the digital cookery classes, regional procurement and cook-at-home delivery boxes, which will enrich the overall student experience and provide guidance and support during their time in Swansea.”

Chartwells Universities is part of the education catering sector of Compass UK & Ireland, operating more than 16 sites across the country.