Lindley Heritage gains catering extension at Malvern Theatres

Lindley has been the catering partner at the West Midlands arts centre since 2005 with the current five-year contract due for review in 2013. Three years into the existing contract, Malvern Theatres has already taken the decision to extend the catering agreement to a full 10-year contract which will see Lindley Heritage manage all aspects of catering and hospitality at the complex until 2018. The establishment, which underwent an extensive £7.2 million refit programme in 1197, comprises two 800-seat auditoria: the traditionally styled Festival Theatre and the modern, Forum Theatre, as well as a 400-seat cinema. Lindley Heritage has completed the transformation of the former Malvern Theatre Restaurant into the newly-named Scene Bistro - an 80-cover dining area which opened to the public at the end of last month (September). The £50,000 conversion took two weeks and to complement the new-look, Lindley Heritage has introduced a new range of menus; opening times have been extended to generate further revenue from catering sales; and a new website has been created which provides an instant online booking facility (www.malverntheatresbistro.com) The Scene Bistro now offers an afternoon tea service as well as serving morning coffee and lunch, and as well as providing pre-theatre dinner. Nic Lloyd, chief executive of the Malvern Theatres, said: "The Lindley Group has provided the catering services at The Malvern Theatres since 2005, and we're delighted with the work they have done on the refurbishment of the Scene Bistro, the new menu concepts they have created and the emphasis they have put on using local produce. " Adam Elliott, chief executive of The Lindley Group, added: "Malvern Theatres' decision to extend the catering contract at this stage is a real accolade for the newly-formed Lindley Heritage division. "It pays testament to the hard work and results that Simon Rogers, Lindley Heritage's General Manager based at Malvern Theatres and his team have achieved, and the job they have done in transforming the restaurant has been fantastic. I think that really has been the icing on the cake!"