Frozen food distributor Central Foods has sponsored a local theatre and entertainment venue as part of its support for the community.
The company has taken out a Business Club Membership at Royal & Derngate – Northamptonshire’s premier, multi-award winning arts and entertainment venue in the historic cultural quarter of Northampton.
Featuring a 1,200 seat multi-purpose auditorium and a 450-seat Victorian playhouse that presents high-profile touring shows and artists, Royal & Derngate was named as Outstanding Regional Theatre of the Year 2020 in Country Life Magazine.
Managing director of Central Foods, Gordon Lauder, said: “We enjoy trips to the Royal & Derngate and recognise the very special place that theatres, arts complexes and entertainment venues have in our community, appreciating them even more since they have reopened following the Covid pandemic.
“Central Foods is delighted to have become a Business Club Member of one of our key local venues, supporting it so that it can continue offering interesting and varied entertainment for residents who live in Northamptonshire and beyond. We hugely value our local community, and this is the latest in a number of initiatives we have taken in recent years to support organisations in our area.”
Central Foods, based at Collingtree near Northampton, is one of the UK’s leading frozen food distributors. The company was founded more than 25 years ago and is a catering partner across the whole food service sector, supplying to hotels, restaurants, bars, universities, schools, pubs, care homes, garden centres, leisure outlets and more. It currently sells to over 180 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers.
As part of the Business Club Membership, Central Foods will see its logo on a plaque on the foyer wall at Royal & Derngate, plus other benefits.
Royal & Derngate is an independent registered charity, based in Guildhall Road, Northampton. It features the Grade II listed Royal Theatre which opened in 1884, plus The Derngate, which is an adaptable multi-purpose entertainment space founded 100 years later in the 1980s.
Chris Smith, Development Manager at the Royal & Derngate, said: “We are hugely grateful to all of our corporate supporters at Royal & Derngate. We aspire to create long-lasting, mutually valuable associations with all of our members, and are proud that many of our sponsors choose to renew their relationships with us year on year. Central Foods are joining us at a very special time, as 2023 marks the 40th anniversary celebration of the Derngate Theatre.
“Not only does the support from all our Business Club Members help with the day to day running and maintenance of our building spaces, it can also help make our theatres more accessible through captioned, sign language interpreted, audio described, and relaxed performances. It also means we’re able to create life changing opportunities for children and young people right here under our roof as well as providing essential cultural and creative education to schools and communities across Northamptonshire.
“We’d like to thank Central Foods for the company’s support and look forward to welcoming them to our venue.”
