VCP’s services are aimed at primarily stadia operators who prefer to retain and control their catering operation in-house, but would benefit from the additional focus, resource, financial analysis and extensive sports stadia catering expertise VCP can offer.
Paul Biffen, chief executive partner at VCP and formerly The Lindley Group’s sales and marketing director, said: “Up until now, stadia operators have the choice of either outsourcing and handing over control to a contract caterer or taking on the challenge of managing their catering services solely in-house.
“Both have their merits and risks, but the approach we have adopted at VCP bridges the gap between these two options and offers an alternative solution.”
The new sports venue services specialist has developed two business models – designated Taster and À la Carte – both of which are based on a highly flexible ‘shopping basket’ approach.
‘Taster’ provides clients with the opportunity to work with VCP on specific and bespoke one-off projects spanning a spectrum of services from reviewing the efficiency of catering operations, and undertaking detailed financial analysis of catering sales and profit data benchmarked against industry standards to sourcing suppliers and negotiating agreements, supplying trained staff, providing event catering support and even acting as an intermediary to help resolve issues between a club and an incumbent contract caterer.
The À la Carte service is aimed at stadia looking for a catering partner to work with them as an integral part of their business providing continuing strategic input, operational support, detailed monthly financial reports and quarterly performance reviews.
VCP clients already include Hull City Tigers FC, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Peterborough United, Saracens Rugby Club, Chesterfield FC and Bournemouth International Centre.
Biffen added: “We set out to deliver a service which sets us apart from other traditional stadia catering operators by offering a less prescriptive, more flexible alternative.
“Our approach provides venue operators with easier access to specialist expertise, support and insights which will enable them to run their in-house catering operations more efficiently, more cost-effectively and more profitably.”