Musselburgh Racecourse's catering contract goes out to tender
Musselburgh Racecourse, near Edinburgh, is to put its bar and catering contracts out to tender.
The East Lothian track operates seven bars, a fine dining restaurant, bistro and premium hospitality boxes on 25 race days a year. Combined with flat and jump racing days, an additional 100 events held annually at the course attract an estimated 90,000 visitors.
According to Claire Sheppard, the racecourse's Commercial Manager, Mussselburgh's track is keen to open up its restaurants and bars in addition to existing race days: 'We would like to hear from interested parties who have a first-class background in bar and catering operations,' she says. 'This decision to go out to tender is not a reflection on the current operators but it is six years since we have tested the market and we are interested to see if the tender process can offer other alternatives. We are particularly interested in proposals to open up the hospitality, restaurant and bar facilities on non-race days.
'We believe there would be mutual benefits to the racecourse and catering operators if the facilities were fully utilised on a more regular basis, possibly daily.'
The racecourse is also gearing up to improve revenue streams with a proactive approach to pulling in more event-based business which could prove an added attraction for potential bidders. They have already secured the return of the next Edinburgh Marathon in May following the successful 2007 race which ended at the East Lothian course.
Catering activities generate an estimated £1 million annual turnover at Musselburgh, where facilities regularly earn an 8/10 rating in industry-standard audits.
The closing date to register a note of interest is Friday, November 23, and should be sent to Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, Bill Farnsworth.
The new contracts will take effect from 1 April 2008.
The East Lothian track operates seven bars, a fine dining restaurant, bistro and premium hospitality boxes on 25 race days a year. Combined with flat and jump racing days, an additional 100 events held annually at the course attract an estimated 90,000 visitors.
According to Claire Sheppard, the racecourse's Commercial Manager, Mussselburgh's track is keen to open up its restaurants and bars in addition to existing race days: 'We would like to hear from interested parties who have a first-class background in bar and catering operations,' she says. 'This decision to go out to tender is not a reflection on the current operators but it is six years since we have tested the market and we are interested to see if the tender process can offer other alternatives. We are particularly interested in proposals to open up the hospitality, restaurant and bar facilities on non-race days.
'We believe there would be mutual benefits to the racecourse and catering operators if the facilities were fully utilised on a more regular basis, possibly daily.'
The racecourse is also gearing up to improve revenue streams with a proactive approach to pulling in more event-based business which could prove an added attraction for potential bidders. They have already secured the return of the next Edinburgh Marathon in May following the successful 2007 race which ended at the East Lothian course.
Catering activities generate an estimated £1 million annual turnover at Musselburgh, where facilities regularly earn an 8/10 rating in industry-standard audits.
The closing date to register a note of interest is Friday, November 23, and should be sent to Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, Bill Farnsworth.
The new contracts will take effect from 1 April 2008.
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