Steve Walsh, Chief Executive of High Life Highland (HLH) has brought in the New Year by announcing plans to expand the organisation’s catering delivery in the Inverness area in a move he says will assist the Charity to financially re-invest, protect and safeguard the provision of services to individuals and families across all sectors and backgrounds of Highland communities.
Speaking about the move, Mr Walsh explained, “The Charity’s commercial arm has been operating the catering provision at Inverness Leisure, Canal Park, the Museum and Art Gallery as well as at the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore.
“We recently put the Hilton Community Centre coffee shop operation out to tender but having listened to the requirements of the local community we are now of the view we can deliver the service internally. By doing so, HLH will be protecting and securing the much-requested coffee shop service to this area of the City as well as ensuring the ongoing employment of the staff currently working on site.
The Chief Executive went on, “Having considered all catering provisions delivered by HLH – a further decision has been taken to bring the catering at Inverness Botanic Gardens and Nursery in-house as well. To date, this service has been contracted to the well-known Highland commercial operator Cobbs.
“HLH has advised the incumbent provider of its intention and will look to work with the Cobbs team to ensure a smooth transition for our customers over the next six months. Part of which will also be the protection of the staff currently working at the coffee shop unit who will be offered the opportunity to transfer to work for HLH.
“HLH is extremely appreciative for the way in which Cobbs management and staff have worked with HLH’s own staff to build the venue, making it a popular visitor attraction in the City alongside the other sites in the Bught area that are also operated by HLH.
Concluding, the Charity Chief Executive said, “HLH believes that bringing all catering provision in-house will offer a much wider opportunity to develop the catering provision to our many customers. At the same time the new provisions will generate new income streams that will remain within the Charity to assist in financially protecting HLH’s core service provision across the Highlands.”
