Featured image credit: Sussex Cricket
Food and drink service provider Aramark has continued expansion in the UK market by agreeing a deal with Sussex Cricket, while the club has secured an extension on the usage of temporary stands at the 1st Central County Ground amid its long-term development plans.
The five-year contract with Sussex follows Aramark UK’s deal to service Premier League football club Everton’s new stadium and is the company’s first partnership with a professional cricket club.
In addition to enhancing matchday experiences, Aramark UK will also cater for conferences, events, and hospitality at the ground. The two parties said Aramark has already made a “significant investment” in the 1st Central County Ground through the introduction of the likes of new digital pricing screens and food ordering portals.
Sussex Cricket chief executive, Pete Fitzboydon, said: “Aramark was the standout candidate throughout the selection process, sharing our passion to provide a first-class food and drink experience for our visitors.
“Their scale and exceptional track record in the wider leisure and entertainment industries mean Aramark is the perfect partner to support these future growth areas for Sussex Cricket.
“Sussex Cricket has invested around £1m (€1.16m/$1.28m) in our ground over the close season. This is already bearing fruit with the opening of our new Sixes venue, operated by Aramark, with much more to come.”
In other news, Brighton and Hove City Council has approved Sussex Cricket’s application for an extension to the usage of temporary stands at the 1st Central County Ground through to September 2031.
Sussex, which is based in central Hove, made the application with its current three-year licence due to expire next month. The temporary stands provide seating for 2,188 people.
The temporary stands intend to enhance spectator facilities before new permanent stands are built, although The Argus said the ground’s capacity will remain at 6,000 spectators, with the licence allowing for up to 7,000.
Sussex received planning approval for two new permanent stands back in August. Sussex gained approval for a multi-million pound redevelopment of the 1st Central County Ground back in March 2020, a project the club stated would secure its future at its historic home.
The stadium in Hove is regarded as one of the most traditional grounds in English county cricket, and has been the club’s home since 1872.
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