Eurest has announced winning a new contract with Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in South Oxfordshire. This partnership is poised to bring transformative changes to the campus’s food and beverage offerings as part of Harwell’s ambitious expansion and amenities plans.
Harwell, the UK’s leading science and innovation campus, is on track to grow its ‘Science City’ in Oxfordshire, making room for thousands more people to join its innovation community. There are currently 7,000 scientists, engineers and innovators working across 200 organisations on the site. This is scheduled to significantly increase by 2028 – and Eurest will play a key role supporting this growing community.
The tendering process, managed by Coverpoint Foodservice Consulting, showcased Eurest’s distinctive proposal, emphasising innovation and sustainability in line with Harwell’s ethos.
At the heart of the proposal lies a commitment to supporting local businesses and sourcing products from local areas to bolster the regional economy while advancing Eurest’s Climate Net Zero targets.
Simon Ruck, Director, Asset Management, Harwell Campus, added: “Harwell Campus is thrilled to announce that Eurest will join us in enhancing our food, beverage, retail, and hospitality services. We are committed to improving the facilities available to our community, and this new partnership will ensure they are as world-class as the organisations who are based here.”
Eurest has already begun work. Next month will see the unveiling of the new Lightbox Café and hospitality facility, setting the stage for additional developments throughout the contract term, including a new all-day grazing restaurant, frictionless technology for seamless purchases, and special events.
This eight-year contract represents a significant milestone for Eurest, a subsidiary of the Compass Group UK & Ireland, and aligns perfectly with Harwell’s broader strategy of establishing a vibrant 21st Century science and innovation community.
Morag Freathy, Managing Director Eurest, said: “Caring about people, innovation and the planet is central to everything Eurest does, as is providing delicious plant-forward, healthy, and sustainable food and beverages.
“The campus is extremely impressive, and we’re excited to be joining the Harwell community. Working with a likeminded client base that is open to new ideas and understands the crucial role food has to play, in terms of productivity and sustainability, is a wonderful opportunity for our teams.”