Sports caterer snapped up by American rival

A catering group that counts Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester Tigers Rugby Club among its clients has been snapped up by an American rival Centerplate.

The Lindley Group, which specialises at sporting events and tourist destinations, will become part of a business that is now expected to post revenues of £660m this year.

Neither party would disclose the price of the deal but claimed the enlarged business will serve 115 million guests each year.

Centerplate is one of the largest caterers in the world and has provided event hospitality to 30 US presidential inaugural balls, 13 Super Bowls and the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Des Hague, the chief executive of Centerplate, said: “With the addition of this vibrant and growing business, the new Centerplate will bring our passion for culinary and service excellence to best-in-class clients around the world. We are excited to expand globally and look forward to providing our best-in-class clients with unmatched hospitality experiences at prestigious and iconic venues across North America and the UK.”