Business

Process to replace caterer Amadeus 'not yet under way'

The Belfast Waterfront, which currently has no permanent catering provider in place
The Belfast Waterfront, which currently has no permanent catering provider in place The Belfast Waterfront, which currently has no permanent catering provider in place

THE process to secure a new permanent catering provider at the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall still hasn't begun - fully two months after the previous partner had its contract abruptly terminated.

The Irish News understands that provision of food and drink at the two popular venues is currently being provided on an ad hoc basis by Mount Charles and Yellow Door.

They stepped in after Amadeus, the catering arm of Birmingham's NEC Group, had its £16 million contract torn up at the start of June, just two years into a five-year cycle, following a performance review.

The temporary measures put in place by Belfast Waterfront and the Ulster Hall have provided adequate cover over the quieter summer months.

But from September onwards, the Waterfront will host a number of corporate dinners and major conferences, and it is unlikely a replacement for Amadeus will be in place, given that the lead-in time for a tender process is at least three months.

A spokesman for the venues told the Irish News: “Preparation for a tender process to support the catering offering at Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall is under way internally and will be advertised in due course.”

It is not yet known if either Yellow Door or Mount Charles (who did the catering before Amadeus) will bid for the permanent contract when it is eventually advertised.