Aston Villa have struck a new deal with a major sports and entertainment caterer after the pair partnered on the redevelopment of Villa Park's hospitality spaces last summer.
The Premier League club have signed a ten-year extension of its longstanding partnership with Levy UK + Ireland, the sports and entertainment arm of food services business Compass Group UK & Ireland.
In the span of a five-month timeline, Aston Villa and Levy transformed 14 pre-existing hospitality areas and created three new spaces at Villa Park. The redevelopment also expanded the stadium's premium seating options, with an additional 1,300 seats designated as either general admission plus or premium.
Central to the redesign was a food-led redevelopment strategy, which included the renovation of kitchen facilities, and the introduction of new menus. The partnership also includes Aston Villa's training ground – Bodymoor Heath – where nutrition and performance chefs feed players from the men's, women's and Academy teams.
Aston Villa and Levy transformed 14 pre-existing hospitality areas (image credit: Business Wire)
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"We are only as good as the company we keep, and we want best-in-class partnerships," said Chris Heck, president of Aston Villa. "Our collaboration with Levy is exactly that – a true partnership with the best in the hospitality space.
"We're incredibly proud of what we achieved together in such a short time frame last summer and are excited to see what we can accomplish over the years to come. Innovation and improvements will continue across Villa Park to cement our status as a world class venue."
Sustainability has also been a focus of Levy and Aston Villa's ongoing partnership. Levy's exclusive partnership with sustainable packaging business Notpla has seen seaweed-based, biodegradable food packaging used across Villa Park.
Jon Davies, chief executive of Levy UK + Ireland, said: "We are delighted to extend our partnership with Aston Villa and continue our journey towards a more sustainable future.
"This collaboration allows us to showcase our dedication to innovation in food, technology, and sustainable practices, all while delivering exceptional experiences for the Villa fanbase."
Levy, through its partnership with street food pioneers KERB, has curated a lineup of local independent vendors for Villa Park. The venue offers menus from names such as Digbeth-based Pietanics and Flying Cow, as well as Street Souvlaki and The Currywurst.