Ampersand, part of the CH&Co Group, has been awarded a five-year contract to provide all catering services to the iconic concert and events venue, Sage Gateshead.
Located on the banks of the River Tyne, the flagship venue was designed by renowned architect, Lord Foster. It opened in December 2004 and today attracts over 600,000 visitors per year and hosts events featuring a wide range of stars from Sting and Katherine Jenkins to Gareth Malone’s choir, Voices, and Showaddywaddy. Sage Gateshead is also home to the Royal Northern Sinfonia.
Ampersand’s responsibilities within the multi-million turnover contract will include managing the bars, brasserie, café and events for Sage Gateshead and a team of up to 70 Ampersand staff will provide the services. Within Sage Gateshead there are five bars, a café, a brasserie and scope to run events such as dinners for up to 400 people. If both concert theatres are in use, there are in excess of 3600 customers on site.
Paul Jackson, Managing Director of Ampersand, said, “Even though Ampersand has contracts across the UK, Sage Gateshead is our first contract in the North East and it’s a very exciting opportunity for us. The building is incredible, the location is great and the facilities inside are amazing. These three elements give us a very good platform to build on with Sage Gateshead to maximise the potential of the venue.
“We have some very exciting initiatives and concepts that we’ll be launching with Sage Gateshead in January 2016 and these will help cement its place as the premier venue in the North East.”
Abigail Pogson, Sage Gateshead’s Managing Director said “We’re here to offer great music and great experiences and that’s why it’s important to us that Sage Gateshead’s bars, cafes and brasserie are a cut above.
“Ampersand won a highly competitive tender process with a combination of creativity, innovation and flair and we’re looking forward to working with them, and making a visit to our great building as enjoyable as possible.”
