Owned by the University of Derby, the theatre produces and presents professional productions, as well as housing 80 theatre students who learn and work alongside theatre professionals.
After putting the catering contract - previously managed by Autograph - out to tender, the theatre’s new management team selected Lindley Heritage to enhance and expand the catering operation.
The contract is expected to generate a turnover of around £500,000 a year, totaling £3m over the six years.
As well as re-launching the existing Bistro Deli Café, which provides the local community with a meeting place throughout the day, with a new offering; and operating the first floor Lounge Bar, which is open for evening and pre- and post-theatre production drinks; Lindley Heritage has created a new 50-cover dining area adjacent to the Lounge Bar to offer pre-theatre meals.
The new restaurant facility – The Bistro - will be cross marketed and promoted by the theatre through the booking office, and, along with all other front of house facilities and services, will serve both the 539-seat main auditorium and the separate 110-capacity Studio.
Menus will focus on seasonal ingredients sourced from local suppliers, while the Lounge Bar stocks beers handcrafted by Derby Brewing Co – a local family-owned brewery, and the Bistro Deli and Café serves its own special house blend of coffee selected especially for the theatre.
Theatre manager Gary Johnson said: “We aim to be an exemplar of a new way of looking at the role and responsibility of a theatre to its community and Lindley Heritage’s approach to developing our catering facilities and services is very supportive of this philosophy.”
The Lindley Heritage division was created by The Lindley Group in 2011 to offer a bespoke, high quality catering service for arts and leisure venues, museums, historic houses and visitor attractions.