Elior wins £18m Kirkleatham contract

Elior recently won the 10-year contract to manage the newly-refurbished historic attraction Kirkleatham Walled Garden. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council awarded the £18m contract based on the caterer’s plans to upskill locals while also delivering an attraction that brings the garden-to-plate connection to life. These include a catering and horticultural academy, which will provide 160 traineeships and apprenticeships for the local community.

The Grade II listed Kirkleatham Walled Garden reopened to the public on 25th August after an extensive six-year refurbishment. Featuring formal gardens, a science garden, glasshouse, activities areas, café, shop and a 350-seat events pavilion, it is expected to boost the economy in Redcar and Cleveland, attracting more than 30,000 visitors a year. 

As well as gathering inspiration from the gardens, visitors will be able to attend horticultural and crafts workshops, with activities for all ages. Alongside this, there will be a garden shop with seasonal product and plants, local crafts, and specialist gardening equipment and books. Produce from the garden will be available in the café, which will serve a tempting array of home-baked favourites, hot meals, and hot and cold beverages.

Cllr Mary Lanigan, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: “We chose Elior because of its strong track record, delivering catering and events for prestigious tourist attractions such as Osborne House, St Alban’s Cathedral and SS Great Britain, plus numerous large stadium contracts. We’re delighted to have them onboard and we’re looking forward to seeing them transform this stunning heritage property into a thriving tourist attraction.”

Kenny Finlayson, managing director of Elior, added: “This is a fantastic contract win for Elior, showcasing our passion for food, sustainability and education. We’re looking forward to creating a venue that will boost the economy in the region, inspiring and exciting visitors while providing valuable skills and experience for local learners.”

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