The new deal, starting in September 2014 and worth an expected £23.5m in total, will see Chartwells provide food and hospitality services to more than 18,000 students and 1,700 staff at both of the university’s campuses.
Chartwells has worked with the university since 1995, and the outlets on site have remained on trend and continue to grow in popularity. Plans are now in place to further enhance the student experience and to transform the existing dining and café environments at the Talbot and Lansdowne campuses.
Development plans also include the creation of outside eateries with a focus on Fairtrade produce and ethnic street-style cuisine, as well as the development of several new outlets in the university’s Fusion one building, which is due to open on campus in 2016.
Chartwells managing director Robin Mills commented: “We are thrilled to continue working with Bournemouth University. Our team has built a unique relationship with our clients there since 1995 based on trust, shared objectives and mutual respect.
“We have kept the student and staff experience at the heart of all our propositions and I think our willingness to bring innovation and fresh ideas to the table, along with our continual focus on service, has ensured we successfully retained this important contract.”
Stuart Laird, director of estates at Bournemouth University, added: “The university was very clear on our final decision and recognised the benefits that would come from extending our partnership with Chartwells.
“The university has set out on a journey of investment and development over the next five years at the Talbot and Lansdowne Campuses. We needed to be confident that catering services would continue to evolve and that our catering partner would adapt and respond accordingly. Chartwells know and understand our business, and are uniquely placed to add value to our students’ experience while optimising the potential that our new Fusion building and strategy presents.”