The Irish Greyhound Board is to take back control of the food and beverage function at each of it’s tracks around the country.
Abargrove Limited has been established as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Board and will run all food and beverage operations across the network of stadia from early 2015.
Catering is currently managed by four different contractors. The decision to opt for a single operator comes after a competitive dialogue tender process involving existing and other companies on the way forward for food and beverage services.
“The Food and Beverage offering at all our venues is a critical component of the Night at the Dogs experience for our visiting patrons,” said Irish Greyhound Board Chief Executive Geraldine Larkin.
“It is a key element to the successful promotion of the business and the greyhound industry generally”
“The greater control of the operation will allow us much improved business development flexibility. In particular, it will facilitate the development of customised race night, tour, benefit and incentive packages as well as greater sponsorship and corporate support linked to hospitality.”
“It will allow the organisation to purpose-build hospitality packages throughout its entire stadium network, linked more closely to local market requirements, and will facilitate more effective targeting of audience growth areas for the racing product.”
“The Irish Greyhound Board wishes to acknowledge the great work and service provided by Dobbins, Kudos Creative Catering & Kate Browns during the term of their contracts,” added Chairman Phil Meaney.
“I would like to thank them on behalf of the IGB for their contribution to the industry.”
The new arrangement will increase the financial contribution to IGB under the food and beverage heading as well as stimulating the cash flow effect from that service.
Full and part time catering staff employed at the stadia will be transferred to the new operating company early in the new year.
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There is to be a full independent review of anti-doping and medication control in Greyhound Racing here following the appointment of Professor Tim Morris to lead it. He currently advises a number of international sporting bodies and the review is intended to advise on whether there any modifications are required to legislation, practice and policy within the sport here.
