Working with private finance initiative (PFI) consortium RMPA and its catering sub—contractor Sodexo Defence, it has delivered two new ‘pay as you dine’ (PAYD) restaurants at Merville Barracks.
Opening the new facilities, Maj Gen Mark Armstrong, of Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), said Colchester was one of the last places to introduce PAYD, but the new facilities had benefited from lessons learned elsewhere and would provide a template for other bases when catering contracts came up for renewal.
“As a former commanding officer in 16 Air assault Brigade with soldiers based in Colchester it is a delight to see the introduction of such a modern dining opportunity.
“Our work with Sodexo Defence at Merville Barracks, demonstrates our progress in delivering clear improvements to the way MOD provides catering, retail and leisure services to military personnel and the Wider Armed Forces Community.”
Andy Leach, managing director Sodexo Defence, said: “Sodexo is delighted to be working in partnership with the DIO to bring the kind of up to date, high street style dining facilities and food offers that the armed forces community in Colchester Garrison deserves.
“Our flexible dining options are designed to suit the high tempo nature of Service life, but also to provide a warm welcome to the wider armed forces community, including service families, civil servants and contractors.
“Our investment in these new facilities, with an emphasis on high-quality, value for money balanced meals and personalised, ‘cook to order’ dishes, will further support our ambition to improve the quality of life for everyone in Merville Barracks.”
The new dining facilities provide extended opening hours and give flexibility, availability and control to soldiers over when they dine, what they buy and how much they pay.
Improvements to catering facilities at the barracks are part of the 35-year Colchester Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and help the Ministry of Defence (MOD) create greater satisfaction with life in the Armed Forces.