Nottingham Forest names Levy UK + I Official Catering Partners

Nottingham Forest FC 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 the Club to deliver legendary matchday food and beverage experiences at The City Ground, as well as bolstering the venue’s conference and events operations.

The partnership will see Nottingham Forest fans additionally benefit from Levy’s focus on culinary creativity and community sourcing.

Central to the new food strategy, Levy will be in discussions with a number of local food and beverage companies about partnership and supply. This approach reinforces Nottingham Forest’s commitment to supporting local businesses and providing employment and apprenticeship opportunities to its community.

In keeping with Levy Cares, Levy UK + I’s sustainability commitment to the planet, its people, and the communities it operates in, the new partnership will enable Nottingham Forest to build on its work to improve the sustainability of its operations. Levy has committed to work with the best local suppliers, using a minimum of 80% 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 a number of plant-based food options, as well as enhancing fan favourites, to serve on its menus.

Enhancing the fan experience

Levy will also work to deploy new and innovative technology to enhance fan experiences at The City Ground. This will include the introduction of a new till system and digital screens that will speed up service, and also reduce physical contact to boost fan confidence that the best hygiene measures are being adopted as they return to the stadium following the Covid lockdown. App ordering systems will also be implemented throughout the season to offer fans even more contactless ordering.

Levy will additionally work to support events at The City Ground on non-match days, amplifying 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 The 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.

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’ll 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​​​​​​​, Nottingham Forest, added:

We can’t wait to welcome fans back to The City Ground for the start of the 2021/22 season, and we’re 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 legendary 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.

Rak Kalidas, Commercial Director, Levy UK + I, is one of 50+ industry expert speakers confirmed to share insights at our ALSD International event being hosted by Liverpool FC at Anfield this September 6-7.

About Nottingham Forest F.C.

 Nottingham Forest Football Club are one of the oldest football clubs in the world, founded in 1865. The club play in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English professional football. The Reds home since 1898 is The City Ground, located on the banks of the River Trent. The club has won numerous honours in its long and distinguished history including, memorably, two European Cups under manager Brian Clough and his assistant Peter Taylor.

About Levy UK + Ireland

Levy UK + Ireland is the sports and hospitality sector of Compass Group UK and Ireland. It is the market leader in the provision of legendary food and drink experiences at some of the UK’s most significant sporting, arena and leisure venues.

Through strong client partnerships, Levy UK + Ireland creates bespoke food concepts, service standards and pioneering design, implementing a guest-first approach and ongoing innovation at each venue. With a company-wide passion for food, Levy UK + Ireland creates menus and food experiences that feature fantastic seasonal dishes, with a strong focus on British ingredients.

As well as providing tailor-made concepts for its clients, Levy UK + Ireland also delivers corporate hospitality, event catering, venue sourcing and support services, through its portfolio of businesses. These include Keith Prowse, Payne and Gunter, Lime Venue Portfolio and LSS.