ESS, the Defence, Energy and Government Services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland, has won the Metropolitan Police catering and hospitality services contract. Innovation, flexibility and proven capability were key to the award, with great food, customer service and new technology at the heart of the offer.
The three-year contract will see ESS delivering catering and hospitality services for officers and staff across the Met estate, including headquarters buildings, office facilities, stations, custody suites and the Hendon training centre. The company will also provide planned and emergency operational feeding across the capital.
An innovative approach to reaching as many Met employees as possible was a central part of the successful tender. A new ‘Social by ESS’ brand will bring together a range of offers, including high street style concepts with pop-ups by local London suppliers and 23 micro-markets to make catering available to those working in smaller stations.
Flexibility and reliability were also key, particularly in relation to operational feeding, as was implementation of the ESS App which supports the provision of menu information, pre-ordering, secure cashless payment and click and collect and click and deliver services.
The contract will be delivered by ESS Government Services, which supports high-profile sites across police, secure environments, local and central government with clients including the Ministry of Defence, Department of Work & Pensions, Department of Health and Welsh Government. The win builds on the company’s existing police business which includes City of London Police, Thames Valley Police, Kent Police, Hertfordshire Police and the Metropolitan Police Training Centre.
As part of the mobilisation, ESS will welcome 47 transferring employees to its workforce.
Ronnie Kelman, Managing Director – ESS Energy, Government & Infrastructure, commented:
“We’re delighted to have been awarded the Metropolitan Police catering and hospitality services contract to support the force’s officers and staff. As well as implementing a fresh approach to restaurant dining throughout the estate, we’ll be introducing micro-markets to provide 24/7 availability and ensure those working across the capital have access to healthy, nutritious food. We’re proud to be working with the Met and we’re looking forward to delivering the contract.”
