NEC adds to food offer with premium pizza brand

The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) has boosted its selection of on-site food and drink with the addition of pizza brand Barrel & Stone.

The new store will be operated by in-house caterers Amadeus as a franchise operation.

Launched to visitors to the NEC in March, Barrel & Stone will offer handcrafted, freshly prepared stone baked pizza, as well as craft beer, gelato and artisan coffee.

It is the first time Barrel & Stone have launched a standalone retail unit, with the brand usually seen within pubs and hotels around the UK within its network of Barrel & Stone ‘pizza premises’.

Russell Hardiman, managing director of Barrel & Stone, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Amadeus and to have launched our first standalone retail unit at the NEC. People visiting the venue can enjoy a quality, authentic Italian offering, either by sitting and relaxing in the restaurant or using the grab and go takeaway offering.”

Kane Bridgman, general manager for Amadeus at the NEC, said: “We are constantly looking to refresh our F&B offering for visitors to the NEC based on the latest trends in the food industry at large. With a venue like the NEC – which sees over 500 events every year – visitors want something quick, easy and delicious to sustain them throughout the day.

“With all of our brands and retail units now we are looking to bring the convenience and theatre of street food into the venue and our events. Barrel & Stone really appealed to us as a concept as it boasts premium pizzas with a street food feel.

“The introduction of Barrel & Stone is just the beginning of our ambitious development plans to bring a wider range of authentic street food to the NEC in the coming months.”

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close