Newcastle Theatre Royal, in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, is one of only nine Grade 1 Listed theatres in England and often regarded as the finest theatre building in the country.

Each year the Theatre Royal hosts over 300 shows which are enjoyed by over 300,000 visitors, due to the theatre accommodating the biggest names in dance, drama, music and comedy. This includes the Theatre Royal playing host to the Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, Opera North and Rambert Dance Company.

In early 2024 Newcastle Theatre Royal commenced a feasibility project to review all front of house spaces within the Theatre and commercial operation demise with a view to homogenise these spaces and operations to meet both charitable strategic objectives and to create commercially viable hospitality concepts for internal audiences, the community and wider population.

Montfort Catering Consultants were appointed by Newcastle Theatre Royal in early 2024 to develop and deliver new hospitality concepts along with developing a detailed business model and plan for the new operations as well as identifying wider food and beverage opportunities across the Theatre.

A significant project, particularly in a short timeframe, to determine the concepts, the phasing included two initial key stages – Research & Development and development of the Hospitality Concept Proposal.

Crucially, it was essential that the hospitality proposals and recommendations integrated with the strategic front of house feasibility project and as such Montfort Catering Consultants have formed a key part of the project team, working alongside the architect, quantity surveyor, heritage & theatre consultant as well as the Theatre’s senior leadership team and board.

The recommendations and proposals are now in the process of being developed and implemented over a phased programme.

Summary catering consultant support and advice has included:

• Site familiarisation and stakeholder engagement.
• Detailed market research.
• Management options appraisal and financial modelling.
• Concept style options, considerations and rationale.
• Business modelling, financial forecasts and sensitivities.
• Project team workshop.