Council awards contract for hospitality services at South Lake Leisure Centre

Leading local social enterprise incredABLE awarded contract to deliver hospitality services at South Lake Leisure Centre.

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has appointed leading local service provider and social enterprise incredABLE to operate the new café and a suite of hospitality services at the new state-of-the art South Lake Leisure Centre.

The new Café incredABLE will occupy a prominent position on the ground floor within the expansive, multi-access reception area and will be an integral part of the new multi-million-pound complex which is scheduled to open next month.

Occupying more than 230 square metres and boasting spectacular views over Craigavon’s South Lake, the new café will operate daily with a full all-day menu including refreshments, snacks and hot and cold food. However, under current public health guidance, only takeaway food and drink will be available for a temporary period.

The contract award, which was made following a competitive procurement tender process, will support the creation of up to 12 jobs.

Welcoming the contract award to incredABLE, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Cllr Kevin Savage, said:

“I’m delighted that we will be welcoming the hardworking incredABLE team to provide a world class hospitality offering and a safe and welcoming dining experience in this stunning leisure complex. Modern, spacious and bright, the new café will play an integral role within the new centre and will be a focal point for every visitor.”

Nigel Hampton, Chief Executive of incredABLE, said:

“We are thrilled to be awarded this extremely important contract which not only allows us to serve the people of Craigavon and the surrounding area but allows us expand upon our social enterprise offering which also includes Café incredABLE located at the Jethro Centre in Lurgan.

“Through our social enterprise cafés, incredABLE has been able to make a real difference to the lives of young people with autism and/or learning and intellectual difficulties, offering hands on hospitality training to support educational attainment.

“It is our people that make our cafés great and we’re thrilled to now provide staff with the opportunity to work within Northern Ireland’s newest, state-of-the-art leisure complex.

“The new café incredABLE represents our largest hospitality service provision to date and will see us expand our team to 63 staff across both locations to accommodate the increased café capacity and longer opening hours at South Lake Leisure Centre.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone soon.”

Based in Richhill, Co Armagh, incredABLE creates meaningful opportunities, training and skills development for people with a learning or intellectual disability, including those with autism.