Sodexo lands University of Stirling contract

Potentially worth almost £9 million in total turnover, Sodexo will begin providing services to the university in October as part of an initial five-year deal with the possibility of a two-year extension. As part of the contract, the caterer said it will invest a significant amount of funding into the refurbishing of the catering facilities at the university, including the building of a new coffee shop. It will also manage the university's main Haldane's restaurant, offering a deli bar, salad bar and main meal provision – which includes a chef on stage each day with live theatre style cooking. The company will employ 36 members of staff to deliver catering, vending and hospitality services to the university's 10,000 students, 2,000 staff on-site and commercial customers. The contract includes the provision of catering services to a number of outlets, many based in the central Atrium of the Andrew Miller Building, which includes a sandwich shop, fast food bar and Stir Café, where a wide selection of sandwiches, soups, salad boxes and yogurts will be made available throughout the day – all part of Sodexo's Unity food offer. Sodexo will also provide a vending service and hospitality service for meetings on campus. Graham Box, managing director, Sodexo Scotland, said: "We are delighted to have signed a contract with one of the most respected universities in Scotland and look forward to the opportunity to add value to the daily life of the students, staff and visitors. "We have extensive experience of providing services to numerous universities throughout the UK and Ireland, and will work closely with our talented chefs to provide a catering service that is truly fitting of such a prestigious university". Karen Plouviez, director of Estates and Campus Services at the University of Stirling said: "We are delighted to be entering into a long-term partnership with Sodexo. They are one of the market leaders in catering and we look forward to them bringing their considerable experience and skills to bear on the full range of our catering services to the benefit of our students, staff, commercial customers and those visiting the campus."