We work in partnership with organisations looking for specialist advice to develop new cafes, restaurants, bars and event catering as well as supporting those wishing to improve the performance and customer experience of their existing food and drink operations.
As specialist catering consultants, Montfort are able to advise and support you through the process with proven expertise and knowledge along with robust market data, giving your new or redeveloped catering a leading advantage in the local and wider marketplace.
Montfort’s advice and support focuses on improving the performance and customer experience of existing food and beverage outlets, ensuring that catering is customer centric, culturally sympathetic and commercially sustainable.
Whether it’s a high level soft market test, full catering tender, joint venture or support with defining and setting up an in-house catering operation, our cross sector expertise and knowledge can help you.
At Montfort we ensure that the catering is culturally sympathetic and relevant to the wider aspirations and activities of the organisation as well as being appropriate to the venue design and style.
As specialist catering consultants we are able to provide greater assurance to the long-term success of your catering operation through the provision of expert knowledge and advice.
Our empathetic customer centric approach supports creating a sense of place for the food and drink operations that we are asked to improve and develop.
“I have worked with Paul Smith of Montfort Consultants for over a decade on projects ranging from the Theatre Royal Glasgow, The Beacons Arts Centre in Greenock and Scottish Opera Production Studios. Paul and the team at Montfort deliver strong and clear F+B advice, have been unafraid to challenge my own preconceptions, and have successfully tackled issues both large and small. I would absolutely, unequivocally, commend Paul and Montfort Consultants to all organisations seeking to review or renew their F+B operations!”
Alex Reedijk OBE FRC, General Director at Scottish Opera, Chair at The Beacon Arts Centre, Acting Chair at Citizens Theatre, Honorary New Zealand Consul for Scotland.
“Paul’s input into our Vision for the refurbishment project at the Customs House, South Shields was extremely helpful, as it highlighted the existing demographic and market conditions for the area alongside the opportunities that existed to increase footfall through an enhanced events and food and beverage offer.”
Peter Cunningham, Investment Delivery Manager – Planning. In relation to The Customs House Development Project
“The Café at Limelight is the beating heart of the centre and it was crucial that we identified the right partner for this project. We were looking for a consultant who could bring a wealth of expertise and sector specific knowledge. Paul brought these skills and much more. He was on hand from writing the brief to signing contracts and ensured that the process was efficient and well managed, despite some tight deadlines.”
David Teasdale, Limelight Centre Manager, Trafford Housing Trust
“University of Greenwich sought the services of Monfort Consultants in competitive tendering of an extensive university wide catering service. Paul rapidly scoped our requirements and offered expert advice on current industry trends and likely outcomes on various models. The brief included preparation of tender documents, identifying potential bidders, evaluation of bids and KPIs’. Paul’s professional input was invaluable and resulted in a successful tender exercise.”
Barry Palmer, Head of Catering & Conference Services, University of Greenwich
“Paul’s extensive knowledge of the specific requirements of arts, cultural and heritage venues across the UK, coupled with his professional hospitality and catering industry expertise was first-rate. His advice and support in helping Contact design an appropriate catering offer, the financial modelling to go with it plus his support and guidance over procuring external catering suppliers was invaluable.”
Howard Rifkin, Joint Capital Team Manager, Contact Theatre & Arts Consultant
“Paul was able to quickly and effectively analyse our catering outlets and provide a critique and recommendations on menu, service and business modelling. His knowledge of the industry and expertise helped us to develop our catering requirements. I enjoyed working with Paul, who was professional in his approach to an area that was politically sensitive.”
Stephanie Rogers, Programme Manager, Countryside Service, Hampshire County Council.
“Bishopsgate Institute wished to explore options and financial models to re-open its adjacent cafe space in order to generate income and increase footfall to the Institute. We commissioned Montfort Consultants in 2023 to undertake an options appraisal, and to test the proposition with real world potential operators. At every stage, Paul’s communication was clear and timely, included all the information we needed to make a decision without blinding us with science, and as a result of his work, we were able to select the best option for us, feeling fully informed of the advantages and potential challenges of our model. Once we reached contract stage, Paul’s help was invaluable ensuring we closed the deal with our red lines fully addressed. We highly recommend Paul to help venues work through their options, understand the market and what operators expect, and to ensure the final deal works for you”.
Francesca Canty, Chief Executive & Artistic Director at Bishopsgate Institute
Get in touch to see how we could help you.
Montfort Consultants Ltd
86-90 Paul Street
3rd Floor
London
EC2A 4NE
Tel: 020 3667 7286
Email: info@montfortconsultants.com
