With the new Sky Bet Championship 2021/22 season beginning, Nottingham Forest Football Club has announced the appointment of Levy UK + I, the sports and hospitality sector of Compass Group UK and Ireland, as its new catering and hospitality partner.
The five-year deal will see Levy supporting Nottingham Forest to deliver new matchday food and beverage experiences at the City Ground stadium on matchday, 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 favorites, to serve on its menus.
Levy will also work to deploy new and innovative technology to enhance fan experiences at 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 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 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.”
