Sodexo retains Balmoral Estate contract

The contract, worth around £800,000, will see Sodexo continue to manage the visitors' coffee shop as well as private and corporate functions held at the Castle. Queen Victoria purchased the estate in 1848 and it has been the Scottish home of the British Royal Family ever since. The estate extends to over 50,000 acres of heather clad hills, ancient Caledonian woodland, and the River Dee is nearby. The Castle attracts around 120,000 visitors from around the world every year. Food at Balmoral is sourced locally and ranges from meat from the butcher in Braemar and to fresh fruit and vegetables from Ballater. Fresh bread and bakery products are also sourced in the area. Sodexo uses these local suppliers for their fresh next day service and to support the local community. Graham Box, managing director for Sodexo Scotland, said: "We are delighted to have renewed this contract, and in doing so proves that Sodexo is providing a high standard of service. Over the years we have built up a long standing relationship with the client, we will continue to work with them to meet their business needs."