Elior wins £18m contract with Kirkleatham Walled Garden

Elior has won an £18m contract to manage the catering at the historic Kirkleatham Walled Garden in Redcar, near Middlesbrough.

The 10-year contract will include the launch of a catering and horticultural academy, which will provide 160 traineeships and apprenticeships to the local community.

The Grade II-listed walled garden reopened to the public on 25 August after a six-year refurbishment and features formal gardens, a science garden, glasshouse, café, shop and 350-seat pavilion. It is expected to attract more than 30,000 visitors a year.

Elior will create a ‘garden-to-plate’ offering, with the café serving hot meals and hot and cold drinks. Catering options in the pavilion will range from silver service and canapes to casual dining and buffet lunches.

As well as providing catering, Elior will manage all aspects of the attraction including ticketing and admissions.

Apprentices and trainees from the on-site academy will be able to gain experience working in the gardens, café and events.

Councillor Mary Lanigan, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, which awarded Elior the contract, said: “We’re delighted to have [Elior] on board, and we’re looking forward to seeing them transform this stunning heritage property into a thriving tourist attraction.”

Kenny Finlayson, managing director at Elior, added: “We’re looking forward to creating a venue that will boost the economy in the region: inspiring and exciting visitors while providing valuable skills and experience for local learners. And we’ve created an exciting business model that will drive the site forward and deliver against these outputs.”