Theatre by the Lake

The theatre, hailed by The Independent as “the most beautifully located and friendly theatre in Britain”, opened in 1999. They have two stages and present up to nine of their own productions of classic, modern and new plays throughout the year. The theatre also hosts a variety of festivals and visiting companies.

Set on the majestic shores of Derwentwater in the heart of the Lake District, the theatre recently commissioned and built a brand new café, The Café by the Lake. Having opened in 2016, the new café is open all year round to theatregoers, locals and tourists.

We have provided advice and support to the Theatre by the Lake since 2013. This has included developing business plans and concept development proposals for the new café as well as the redeveloped cafes and bars. We also undertook a detailed review of governance options for the significantly increased food and beverage provision, resulting in a recommendation to move to an outsourced model for the future. This approach has provided specialist operational expertise ensuring that as well providing excellent food and drink, the income from the new café and redeveloped food and beverage operations provides a strong and sustainable financial return that is crucial to the future of the highly successful charity Theatre by the Lake.

Currently we are providing on-going strategic and operational food and beverage consultancy advice to the theatre, which has included developing a revised food and beverage strategy as well as on-going management meetings with the theatre’s senior management team and caterer.

Advice & support included:

• Concept & operational planning development
• Business & financial planning
• Recruitment support for senior management food & beverage positions
• Full catering tender support & management to appoint external catering partner to operate the café
• On-going mentoring for theatre senior management