On Tuesday 25th September 2018 Center Parcs held its eighth annual Supplier Awards at Center Parcs Elveden Forest, recognising and celebrating the best of more than 1,800 suppliers.
The event was the biggest yet, with 500 nominations submitted across the 13 categories, which is a 22% increase on last year’s awards. Categories included the best local suppliers for each of the five Center Parcs UK villages and awards for suppliers across key areas of the business, from Food & Beverage and Retail, to Leisure, Housekeeping and Technical Services.
Attendees of the event enjoyed a tour of Center Elveden Forest in the sunshine and a three-course meal before the awards were given. A charity raffle in the afternoon raised £2,360 for Together for Short Lives, who have been Center Parcs’ corporate charity partner since June 2016.
This year also saw a new category of Best Newcomer, for a supplier which has worked with the business for up to 12 months and already made a positive impact in the short space of time.
The top award of the ceremony went to Thomas Ridley Foodservice, who won the overall title of Supplier of the Year. The company, headquartered in Bury St Edmunds, has been a Center Parcs supplier for 30 years and received a range positive comments in their nominations, including;
“This supplier always goes above and beyond the call of duty”
“Thomas Ridley have helped Food and Beverage with product issues and shortages throughout the year”
“Very proactive and nothing is too much trouble. They deal with queries and requests almost immediately and make us feel like an important customer to them”
Martyn Smith, Head of Procurement at Center Parcs said;
“Thomas Ridley are an outstanding long-term partner of Center Parcs. They deliver a professional service that far exceeds any I have experienced elsewhere in the industry. I know if I have a problem they will find a solution to meet our needs and they always step up to the mark. Thomas Ridley fully appreciates the needs of our business and our guests’ requirements, and know their work helps our guests have a fantastic short break experience.”