04 March 2020 | Bradford Keen
Specialist catering and hospitality company Gather & Gather and Southampton Football Club have "reached an agreement in principle to enter into a new catering and events partnership", said the club.
The contract is due to start on 1 July, when Gather & Gather will provide catering and events services such as food and drink concepts and service in both the concourses and hospitality suites on match days, at conferences and events at St Mary's on non-match days, as well as catering to the club's players and staff.
David Thomas, chief commercial officer at Southampton FC, said: "We conducted an in-depth and lengthy selection process as we looked at a new catering and events partnership, and it was Gather & Gather that emerged as the standout choice.
"It is not only a dynamic and agile brand, with a reputation for providing a first-rate service, but one that shares many key values with us, from its desire to challenge the status quo to how it places innovation and people at the heart of everything it does.
"We are looking forward to collaborating with them on enhancing an experience we are already proud of for both our fans and our clients."
Rob Fredrickson, managing director at Gather & Gather UK, said: "Putting brilliant food and drink experiences at the heart of every visit to the club was a consistent theme throughout the process, and we're excited to be working with a forward-thinking partner that shares that aspiration. There was an immediate connection as we talked through our proposals with David and his team, with our vision, values and approach closely aligned.
"Together we will make a difference to not only the match day and non-match day experience, but, through our work with Saints Foundation, to the lives of the people and communities connected to the club."