Award-winning Highlands hospitality company Cru Holdings has teamed up with events business KBE to launch a new catering hire service aimed at supporting the region’s events industry.
With extensive experience running popular city-centre venues including Scotch & Rye, The Whitehouse, and Prime Steak & Seafood, Cru Holdings dipped its toes into the events space in 2021, managing and running events across the Highlands for its clients.
“The feedback has been incredibly positive” said Cru Holdings MD, Scott Murray, “which has prompted us to launch our own dedicated division, Highland Cater Hire Ltd (HCH) in partnership with KBE.”
HCH’s day-to-day operations will be overseen by Cru Holdings current operations director, Kenneth Loades, who will be step down from his Head Office position to allow him to focus solely on this new project.
Mr Murray said: “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, and are a perfect fit to drive this venture where we know it can go.”
Previously working with a local cater hire company, Cru’s move was triggered after retirement meant those partners closed their doors and left a gap in the market.
Kenneth said: “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 are already highly regarded for providing sound, lighting and staging for weddings, corporate dinners and more.
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. This can only be a positive thing for everyone involved.”
Ken added: “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 returning 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.”
