The contracts will begin in the Summer and will offer visitors a range of new eating spaces and dining options. The Searcys contract is worth around £30 million and the Benugo contract is estimated to be at £20 million, based on projected sales.
Extending its 25-year relationship with the Barbican, Searcys will open two new restaurants in the Centre and will also continue to provide a variety of catering and hospitality services across the Barbican’s nineteen flexible and creative event spaces.
The second floor restaurant will become a contemporary modern bistro, whilst the first floor space is transformed into a premium fast casual dining concept.
Run by Benugo, the Barbican Kitchen on the ground floor will feature a hand built wood fired oven serving organic pizza and the introduction of a ‘kids eat free’ offer for families. Set in the bright open plan space next to the lakeside, it is ideal for families, individuals and large groups visiting the Centre.
Benugo will also operate the cinema cafes and foyer coffee points around the Barbican.
Chris Maddison, Searcys’ managing director, said: “We are incredibly proud of our long relationship with the Barbican and absolutely delighted to extend this for another five years.
“The Barbican set a stern challenge to all the catering companies taking part in the tender and we are very proud to have their trust placed in us.
“We are confident that when we open our two new restaurants they will firmly establish the Barbican on London’s culinary map.”
Ben Warner, founder of Benugo, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be awarded the contract for the Barbican cafés. The Barbican is an organisation we have long admired and whose values and approach to their cultural programme closely resonates with our approach to food.
“We will be completely overhauling the existing operations and creating a seasonal food destination within the Barbican focused around a hand built wood fired oven.
“We are hugely excited to bring our award winning Benugo coffee throughout the Barbican estate, and look forward to creating some wonderful spaces in partnership with the Barbican team over the coming years.”
Over 1.5 million people pass through the Barbican’s doors annually, hundreds of artists and performers are featured and more than 300 staff work onsite.