BH Live, the South Coast’s leading leisure and cultural trust, today announces a ten year partnership with GLL, the UK’s largest leisure charitable social enterprise.
From October 2014, BH Live will operate cafés, banqueting and event catering at the London Aquatics Centre (LAC) and Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, together with Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre the only Olympic-sized ice skating rink in London.
BH Live, is the South’s largest socially driven provider of leisure, entertainment, conferencing and hospitality services. As participation in leisure activities and attendance to events continues to grow, BH Live, working alongside GLL, will be focusing on improving the quality, choice and overall experience for customers.
In line with London Legacy Development Corporation’s Food Legacy Pledge, BH Live will launch new menus across the three venues to include healthy eating choices to complement customers’ lifestyle choices. The trust is committed to reducing food miles by sourcing ingredients from local suppliers, promoting provenance and supporting the local economy.
Local recruitment and training is underway with BH Live, a campaigner for career development and job opportunities for the local community.
Peter Gunn, BH Live Chief Executive said:
“BH Live and GLL are both operators within the social enterprise movement. We are strategically aligned with shared commitments and aims to increase participation in leisure, culture and sporting activities.” He adds: “Bringing together our combined industry expertise, will create a solid platform to develop further opportunities whilst delivering a great experience for both local people and visitors to these iconic venues.”
GLL operates over 150 facilities across the UK, including sports and leisure centres, libraries and cultural services.
Peter Bundey, Deputy Managing Director GLL, added
“We are delighted that we have been able to form a strong partnership between BH Live and GLL. It is an exciting venture that we feel will reinforce the benefit of co-operative working within the social enterprise sector. The partnership will operate from modern and high profile sporting venues within London and we are confident that the new services will suitably enhance the current facilities.”
BH Live currently operates venues across the South including the Bournemouth International Centre and 33 Terrace cafés, bars and restaurants in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council, Portsmouth City Council, Fusion Lifestyle and Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts.
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Notes to the editor
About BH Live
BH Live is the South Coast’s leading operator of leisure and event venues – a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives. With over 2.5 million visits a year and over £31 million turnover, the organisation is changing lives – placing it at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
In 2013/14, BH Live hosted 423 shows, sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment tickets, clocked up 1.8 million leisure centre visits and welcomed 88,000 conference and exhibition delegates which contributed over £45 million to the local economy.
For further press information:
Elizabeth Symmons
PR & Corporate Communications Executive, BH Live
Elizabeth.Symmons@bhlive.co.uk
01202 451866