In a move to support the Highlands events industry, award-winning hospitality company Cru Holdings has partnered with local events firm KBE Events to launch Highland Cater Hire Ltd (HCH), a new catering hire service.
Cru Holdings dipped its toes into the events space in 2021 where they managed and ran events across the Highlands for its clients. Scott Murray, Managing Director of Cru Holdings, said, “The feedback has been incredibly positive,” and led to the creation of HCH in partnership with KBE.
The collaboration brings together the management team behind popular venues such as Scotch & Rye, The Whitehouse, and Prime Steak & Seafood, and the experts in sound, lighting, and staging from KBE Events.
Kenneth Loades, Cru Holdings’ current Operations Director, will oversee the day-to-day operations of HCH, stepping down from his Head Office role to focus exclusively on this project. Both as a trained chef, and with years of supporting our venues, “Ken’s levels of experience and knowledge, as well as enthusiasm and passion, are second to none,” added Murray.
The decision to establish HCH stemmed from the closure of a local catering hire company, which left a gap in the market. Kenneth commented, “One of the trickiest parts of running events over the past couple of years has been a consistent supply of quality equipment. From tables and chairs, to crockery and glassware, and cooking/serving equipment, the amount of moving parts that need to come together to ensure an events success is incredible. By managing the supply chain, we can ensure our clients are not left disappointed, and fill a huge gap in the market at the same time.”
KBE Events, already highly regarded for providing sound, lighting and staging for weddings and corporate dinners say that the partnership “can only be a positive thing for everyone involved”. Kai Logan from KBE said “with Cru’s reputation for providing top notch service to their clients, and our passion for the events industry, it made sense to work together on this project. Not only will HCH be able to provide the furniture and kitchens for events, but we will be able to provide the venue dressing and technical support, giving our already extensive client list a true ‘one stop shop’ when planning and delivering their functions.”
Set to officially launch on May 1st, HCH is already taking bookings for the remainder of 2023. Ken remarked, “We have now taken delivery of all of the equipment we need to cater even the biggest events, and it is encouraging to see so many bookings in the diary before we have even had a logo designed, never mind officially launched”
Scott concluded, “With things very much up in the air for hospitality businesses, it’s encouraging at the level of interest we have gained in this project already. The fact that it helps us diversify our retail estate is a great added bonus for us as we continue to navigate the stormy seas of our industry through covid recovery, Brexit, DRS, energy costs, supply chain issues, staffing challenges to name a few.”
“The Highlands of Scotland is well known for its high level of hospitality, and it’s what keeps visitors retuning again and again.. Regardless of the current economic position, it is important that businesses continue to invest in this sector, to ensure the future demand is satisfied. I am proud that we are one of the businesses leading that charge”
Picture caption: Scott Murray
