Prestige Scotland – part of Sodexho Prestige – has been appointed by the Scottish Rugby Union to supply the catering, as well as match-day and non-match day sales and marketing services, at Murrayfield. The contract is worth around £3 million in turnover a year.

 

 "We bid against all the big names in the business – but I think our market knowledge and previous experience helped win the day," said Alyson Cawley, Managing Director of Prestige Scotland. "It also reinforces our position as leaders in stadia catering in Scotland.

 

Apart from major rugby fixtures which will see Murrayfield playing host, over consecutive weekends in November, to Romania, the Pacific Islands and Australia as part of the autumn test series, the 67,800 seater stadium may also be used to host European football to give nearby Heart of Midlothian FC the additional capacity required for matches on this scale.

 

However, conference and banqueting will continue to be a key part of the Murrayfield business. "There are very few venues in the East of Scotland where 1200 people can sit down to dine in one room and that means we are uniquely placed in that section of the market," said Ms Cawley. "There is also free parking for hundreds of cars – which in Edinburgh is a great advantage. The stadium facilities are regularly used by blue chip companies, as well as local authorities, for everything from conferences and training courses to social events."

 

Added Ms Cawley: "The Scottish rugby team is playing well and gave a good performance in the last RBS Six Nations tournament, which has had a positive effect on business at the stadium. There is a feel-good factor around about the way the team is playing at the moment – and, of course, this is currently the home of the Calcutta Cup."

 

 

Today the historic home of Scottish rugby boasts facilities that offer the conference buyer one of the largest, most flexible and unique venues in Scotland.

 

With purpose built conference facilities to accommodate small meetings to major conferences, Murrayfield can accommodate between two to 500 delegates with a selection of 26 meeting rooms to choose from.

At Murrayfield this summer one day delegate packages, based on a minimum of 20 delegates, cost £30 per person. The package includes: main meeting room; private catering room with summer sports coverage; arrival tea, coffee and biscuits; mid morning break served with fresh fruit; finger buffet followed with strawberries and cream; afternoon break, chilled fruit juice with ice cream; iced mineral water.
                
The offer is available during July and August 2006, subject to availability.

 

 

There are three major autumn test fixtures in 2006 - Romania on Saturday 11 November, Pacific Islands on Saturday 18 November and Australia on Saturday 25 November, with all kick offs at 2:30pm.

 

Prestige Scotland offers a range of hospitality for these events.  In the Murrayfield Boxes there is champagne and canapés, complimentary bar pre and post match, player appearances, three-course gourmet meal, after match buffet and a car park pass.

 

Prices for these are:
Scotland v Romania - £150
Scotland v Pacific Islands £150
Scotland v Australia - £225
All prices are per person, plus VAT. Packages in the 1925 Suite starts from £99 per person, plus VAT.

 

Further information from:
George C Cunningham, Public Relations Consultant.  Tel: 0131-653 3190.