Opportunity for local catering businesses at RGU Campus

With the aim of transforming its catering procurement, RGU is looking to work with small and local food businesses to promote a diverse and vibrant food offering to its staff and students across campus.

The university is committed to producing sustainable, local and responsibly sourced food, as well as reducing waste and the ecological footprint of the food system while supporting the aims of the Sustainable Food City Partnership Aberdeen.

Bill Somerville, Director of Estates & Property Services at RGU, said: “We have spent a lot of time and effort gathering, listening and reviewing feedback from our students on our current catering provision.

“We have made the decision to target small and local businesses to see if there would be any interest in running a concession outlet at RGU and we have several outlets we are prepared to offer on a rent-free basis, giving access to the relatively captive market of 1,500 staff and 10,000 students.

“This is an exciting opportunity to welcome the Aberdeen food community onto our campus and we’re looking forward to working together with local businesses to transform our catering procurement, as well as enhance the student and staff experience.”

The outlets will be offered on a rent-free basis, complete with existing heavy equipment, on the understanding that suppliers would be prepared to invest in any front of house requirements and that a guaranteed return or commission would likely be agreed on contract.

A catering information day for any local food businesses who may be interested in the exciting opportunity will be held later this month to give the opportunity to ask questions, as well as take part in a tour of the sites that will be on offer.

The university will be advertising for formal business proposals towards the end of this year with the aim of a contract start date of 1 August 2020.