Banqueting contract set to earn GFC £2m+

Last updated : 27 September 2005 By Simon Head

Priestfield: Will be managed by Compass Leisure
Paul Scally has signed a five-year deal with Compass Leisure which effectively hands over responsibility for the running of the business, with the set aim of producing increased profit during that time.

According to a report in the local press, Paul Scally has stated that the move will create more jobs and there will be no staff redundancies.

Compass, an established name in the catering industry, will promote Priestfield's acclaimed facilities to a national marketplace, rather than just a local one - and their renationally in Gills will earn a guaranteed £2million over the course of the five year deal, as well as banking a share of the turnover.

The deal is one that Gills chairman Paul Scally felt was necessary, and one that would increase the club's income, as he explained to the local press.

"We intend to increase them to about 25 full-time over the course of the next year," he told the KM.

"We have agreed and signed contracts with Compass. The operation was becoming almost too much for us, it was growing that quickly.

"We decided to go with Compass because of their national sales operation. They are very good at what they do and we’re very pleased with that. It guarantees income and takes away a lot of the risk.

"I think we will probably double our income streams over the next five years and could probably double our profit."