Nottingham Forest Football Club has appointed Levy UK + I, the sports and hospitality sector of Compass Group UK and Ireland, as its new catering and hospitality partner ahead of the 2021/22 season.
The five-year deal will see Levy supporting Nottingham Forest to deliver food and beverage experiences at the City Ground stadium on matchday, as well as supporting the venue’s conference and events operations.
The partnership will see Nottingham Forest fans benefit from Levy’s focus on culinary creativity and community sourcing. Central to the new food strategy, Levy will be in discussions with several local food and beverage companies about partnership and supply. This approach aims to reinforce Nottingham Forest’s commitment to supporting local businesses and providing employment and apprenticeship opportunities to its community.
In line with Levy UK + I’s sustainability commitment, the new partnership aims to enable Nottingham Forest to build on its work to improve the sustainability of its operations. Levy plans to work with local suppliers, using a minimum of 80 percent UK-produced seasonal fruit and vegetables by the end of 2021. The Levy culinary team will be working in partnership with Nottingham Forest to develop plant-based food options.
Levy will also work to introduce new technology to improve fan experiences at City Ground. This will include the introduction of a new till system, digital screens and app ordering systems that will speed up service and also reduce physical contact to boost fan confidence in hygiene measures post-pandemic.
Levy will additionally work to support events at City Ground on non-match days, supporting Nottingham Forest F.C.’s conference and events operations and building relationships with local business owners and industrial estates in the area. The venue will also join Lime Venue Portfolio, Levy’s sales and marketing partner.
Jon Davies, managing director of Levy UK+ I, said: “After a trying season for football clubs and fans, we are thrilled to be partnering with Nottingham Forest F.C. to support them in bringing the very best in food and beverage experiences to City Ground. Together, we will build on Forest’s existing philosophy of providing a phenomenal matchday experience to every fan, while enriching and supporting the local community in everything we do.”
Davies added: “A big focus for us in our work will be to support and nurture local food and hospitality talent in Nottingham and promoting the professional development and welfare of everybody we work with. We will be working closely with Nottingham Forest to bring a fresh, modern approach to food and drink, whether it’s for matchdays or conferences and events. We are confident that we will give fans yet another reason to look forward to returning to City Ground in the 2021/22 season.”
David Cook, chief commercial officer at Nottingham Forest F.C., added: “We can’t wait to welcome fans back to City Ground for the start of the 2021/22 season, and we are putting in a huge amount of work so that they will have an unforgettable time when they do. We chose to work with Levy not only because of their clear track record in delivering matchday food and beverage experiences and industry-leading innovation but also because they share the values and beliefs that are at the heart of everything we do at Nottingham Forest.”
