Efficient bars: Central to the catering scheme in Old Trafford’s new quadrant stands

Recent record-breaking attendances at Manchester United’s Old Trafford are the result of two newly-built quadrant stands. The North East and North West Stands flank the existing North Stand and provide high-earning executive dining and bar facilities with additional seating for 7,000 spectators.

A complex £950,000 catering scheme built on seven levels - broadly mirrored in each quadrant - was designed by Tricon Foodservice Consultants and supplied, project managed and installed by Chester-based C&C Catering Equipment. Five kitchens service six substantial restaurants, matchday executive suites (each providing full hospitality for up to 16 guests) and nine bars, with eight concession outlets on level four.

Themed restaurants, lounges and bars celebrate Manchester United’s rich football history, from League and European triumphs to the achievements of individual players.

The broad catering offer encompasses fine dining, à la carte and set three course menus, through to snacks and light refreshments. Bars are central to the scheme.

Each restaurant has a dedicated bar, while two high volume Sports Bars provide pre and post match snacks, drinks and refreshment along with two smarter, more relaxed lounge bars - The Academy and The Kit Room. Underbar specialists IMC supplied over 50 linear metres of stainless steel bar equipment and 40 metres of refrigeration, enough to 5,000 bottles, and beer stations holding up to 18,000 plastic beer glasses.

In any modern stadia, maximising bar sales in the brief and intense operational periods before and immediately after matches - and in the 15 minute interval - is critical.

At Old Trafford, serving and keeping customers happy is achieved with a minimal bar staff through the provision of enough well-planned bars equipped with efficient individual IMC workstations. They are designed to enable staff to provide a fast, efficient and friendly service, under considerable pressure.

IMC’s modular stainless steel Bartender system is widely used in high volume installations and was chosen for its flexibility, hygienic, easy-to-clean features, competitive pricing and sleek appearance. Bar staff have their own workstations built around them, including shelf drainers, drawer units, blender stations, ice chests, bottle bins basket racks, fridges and waste units. Everything the bartender needs to serve and mix drinks is a few paces from the serving area so that they can remain facing customers while dispensing drinks quickly - even with minimal training.

The entire bar scheme, designed and equipped to cope with the intense demand and activity in the three to four hours around matches, has now proved its ability to cope over an entire season.

With the extra attendance and projected catering spend, the new quadrants are expected to pay for themselves within three years.