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Levy UK & Ireland, the events, sports and entertainment arm of Compass Group UK & Ireland, has bolstered its long-standing partnership with ExCeL London having announced a new multi-million-pound agreement.
Levy has been ExCeL’s food and beverage partner since the Royal Docks venue first opened in 2000, and has been putting high-quality, sustainable offerings at the heart of its 400 events and four million annual visitors ever since.
The strengthened partnership aims to build on its successful 25-year association with a greater emphasis on future investment. Central to this lies a brand-new dining experience for ExCeL’s new-look waterfront entertainment district – Immerse LDN – entitled the Waterfront Street Kitchen & Bar. The new establishment offers a street food inspired menu from across the world and caters for both venue visitors and residents throughout London’s Royal Docks. The Waterfront Street Kitchen & Bar is also expected to add greater value to the wider events business by offering a new bespoke space for organiser meetings, exhibitor parties and corporate events.
In addition, Levy will expand its in-venue food and beverage offer to ExCeL’s forthcoming 25,000 sq m expansion, continuing its focus on providing high-end, modern and sustainable cuisine, as well as initiatives such as carbon food labelling, menus that are at least 50 per cent plant-based and the sourcing of 100 per cent recyclable or reusable packing.
Elsewhere, the partnership will see a variety of enhancements along ExCeL’s boulevard where Levy has already introduced pioneering systems such as the ‘checkout-free’ store Market Express – a first for UK event venues – and ultra-efficient touch screen ordering systems in several outlets.
ExCeL’s Chief Commercial Officer Simon Mills said: “Food and events go hand-in-hand, and for almost 25 years Levy have been helping us deliver the very best event experience to our visitors. This reinforced strategic partnership further cements our long-term investment and commitment to London’s event industry, particular as ExCeL begins an exciting new chapter with the opening of our new waterfront, Immerse LDN and of course our forthcoming expansion.”
Jon Davies, CEO at Levy, commented: “We’re incredibly proud to be part of this exciting phase of ExCeL’s history, where it is set to become the UK’s largest immersive entertainment district and Europe’s largest fully integrated conference and exhibition venue. The continuation of our long-standing partnership allows us to push the boundaries of innovation in food, technology and sustainability, while delivering exceptional experiences.”
