These case studies illustrate a number of our major projects. We have worked on over 250 across: art centres & galleries, castles, cathedrals, concert halls, conference centres, gardens, public & wildlife places, historic houses, leisure venues, museums, visitor attractions, theatres and universities.

Royal Opera House

Kendrick Hobbs won a competitive bid to support the Royal Opera Houses’ £50M Open-Up project. We investigated opportunities for improved foodservice facilities and bars across multiple levels. With vertical circulation and space constraint challenges we worked imaginatively with the Stanton Williams Architects lead Design Team and the existing ROH caterers to develop practical solutions to multiple offers across five levels. 

Working within programme and budgetary parameters our work focused on: a new Stage +4 level 200 seat restaurant, winter-garden and bar which overlooks Covent Garden and adjacent kitchen facilities; a new foyer coffee bar and a new bar at lower ground level. In addition we delivered number of subsidiary but significant projects like the Conservatory refurbishment. The project has recently opened to much acclaim. 

Pizthanger Manor House & Gallery

Our longest standing project (first assessment 2006) has been at Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing, a Grade I listed Sir John Soane house and the surrounding Walpole Park. Over various phases we conceived a café/brasserie concept that, along with the wider project, received HLF support. We investigated business potential and management options which ultimately supported the phased implementation of two component parts of the overall £14m project. 

As part of the Design Team we worked with Jestico & Whiles Architects designing a new standalone café in the walled garden of the House. The result is a beautiful light weight pavilion building sympathetic to its surrounding but nevertheless of scale and critical mass able to support a destination café and events for up to 100. In the final phase we lead the operator management exercise.

Museum Of London

We were appointed by the Museum of London and City of London Corporation to support their major capital project and venue re-location to West Smithfield. One of the largest projects in the sector, Kendrick Hobbs’ role is to support the Client body and Design Team develop and detail proposals for an ambitious and engaging food and beverage offer. 

The new site in Smithfield Market will see a number of permanent and event catering opportunities. We have completed a detailed RIBA Stage 3 phase and report and are now (Spring 2020) midway through Stage 4. There are a number of challenges within the historic parts of the site, the General Market Clerk’s House for example. We are working collaboratively with a large and multi-skilled Design Team to maximise food and drink opportunities. 

Bristol Beacon

We have had a long relationship with Bristol Music Trust; initially conceiving a new catering strategy and subsequently with various phases of implementation. Analysis of the business revealed a profitable in-house performance bars operation which we went on to improve and reinforce. This was delivered with the appointment of a new bars manager and an exercise to improve the aesthetics of the bars. In parallel to this we re-tendered the principal foodservice spaces which we undertook enthusiastically and secured a proactive local business to mange new concepts.

We are working on the C£50M Transformation Project in two phases: design development support (over Stages 2 and 3) with Levitt Bernstein Architects, who we know well from Devonshire Park in Eastbourne; and secondly a comprehensive food operator search and selection process. This aims to secure an ambitious operator for several audience and destination foodservice outlets.

‘Photo credit and interiors consultant VAAL Studio’
Turner Contemporary, Margate

KH supported Turner Contemporary and Kent County Council with the original conception and development of the Gallery, which opened on the seafront in Margate in 2011. 

Initially we carried out a catering feasibility study and reviewed competition in the Town and the region. We looked at local competition in Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Whitstable, Canterbury as well as trends in the sector, options for the type of facility and its’ management.We collaborated with business planning and having agreed a café concept in association with the architects we designed the café, counter and kitchen areas.

 

Our final role was the catering outsourcing which we successfully concluded. As with many of our projects we supported the Client Team from conceptual stages, through until post opening. The café focuses to a great extent on celebrating the produce of Kent.

Currently (2020/2021) we are working with Avanti Architects on two phased maintenance and improvement projects; the first of these now complete was a complete refit of the original kitchen achieved. Phase 2 will see a new events’ focused finishing kitchen installed to reinforce this income stream.

ZSL, London & Whipsnade Zoos

Our work with ZSL, firstly at Whipsnade and latterly in London, illustrates the value we add to major attractions. Undertaking strategic reviews at both sites; an ambitious direction was set – in both cases, then delivered. The quality levels of operational delivery and consistency have improved. Facilities have been radically enhanced with significant investments made. 

Our knowledge of, and relationships within, the market allowed for effective, robust and transparent operator management selection processes. These have delivered solid financial returns to ZSL but equally importantly, a number of operational initiatives, new propositions and customer orientated enhancements.   

ZSL is a conservation charity and our work has directly resulted in positive impacts to this; for example the retention of some animal species in appropriate high quality surroundings at London Zoo.

Cutty Sark

Kendrick Hobbs supported the Cutty Sark Trust with the re-launch of one of the nation’s favourite heritage assets. Initially we completed a detailed strategy for day and event foodservice. Based on market and comparator research this set the Ship’s course for visitor and event catering. As part of the Design Team we designed the café and an extensive kitchen facility to maximise opportunities.

The project has been a terrific success with the Ship preserved and protected for generations to come. The new glazed visitor centre surrounding the Ship’s hull has allowed a new dry dock to be formed. This amazing space sited literally under the Ship’s hull houses the café and is able to host events of all types with a seated capacity of several hundred; a major events space comparable with other iconic venues in London.

Dover Castle (English Heritage)

Kendrick Hobbs and Avanti Architects collaborated on a comprehensive refurbishment of two cafes at this major national attraction. Working tightly with English Heritage’s ambitious in-house management team, we formulated an evidenced based approach to what was required in the different locations. We looked at visitor flows, service styles, menu ranges etc. and arrived at detailed proposals for the Keep and Naafi café and restaurant.

The project was completed just as CV-19 hit and was ready when the site re-opened, offering visitors far enhanced facilities. The two operations provide engaging food and drink in contemporary settings within the context of this important historic site.

 

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