Tag: st james park

St James’ Park Scores Awards Hat Trick

By on 24th December 2015in Local Biz

Staff at one of the sporting world’s most popular stadia have won a further prestigious award – making a hat trick of wins for 2015…

The Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events team, which manages conferencing and events at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park stadium, scooped the Better Tomorrow Plan award at the annual Star Awards, organised by Sodexo.

The Star Awards ceremony is the highlight of the Sodexo calendar, and recognises the most outstanding of its 34,000 employees across 23 categories.

The award recognises the team’s commitment to building on the stadium’s success as a conference and event venue, and was presented to general manager Frankie Angus and his team by comedian and television personality Patrick Kielty at London’s Westminster Park Plaza Hotel.

Neil Murray, regional chairman, Sodexo UK and Ireland, said: “The Star Awards is the pinnacle of our year because it gives us, as an organisation, the opportunity to truly recognise and thank our people for their hard work and dedication.

“Every day should be about making our employees feel valued and involved in the organisation’s progress. As a services company we truly rely on our people to deliver quality services to our customers and clients.”

The Star award win follows the Sodexo team’s gold award in the Access for All category at the prestigious North East Tourism Awards 2015.

The awards were set up to highlight the regional visitor economy, which is worth an estimated £3.9bn and employs more than 55,000 people in the North East, and the stadium was recognised for the quality and range of facilities it provides for elderly and disabled visitors.

And, earlier this year, Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events at St James’ Park won the Operations Team of the Year category at The Stadium Events and Hospitality Awards 2015.

The awards celebrate the hard work and dedication that make stadia events and hospitality run seamlessly, and the Newcastle team’s award was one of several won on the night by Sodexo Prestige.

For further information about Sodexo Sport and Leisure and its conference and banqueting facilities at Newcastle United, call 0191 201 8525 or e-mail candb@nufc.co.uk.

Santa To Visit Autistic Children At St. James’ Park

By on 23rd October 2015in Lifestyle, What's New?, What's On?

A North East mum, worried her autistic son was missing out on the fun of Christmas, has come to the rescue – by arranging a festive lunch with Santa…

Not only will it be held at one of the sporting world’s most well-known venues, but all families living with autism are welcome, and Santa Claus himself will be making a special visit to meet them.

Samantha Doyle, from Chester-le-Street, set about planning the event (to be held on Monday 21st December at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park stadium) after realising six-year-old Freddie was missing out on a lot of the events and activities other children take for granted.

“Due to Freddie’s autism, his reactions to things can be extreme and unpredictable and, over the years, I’d gradually stopped taking him to the sort of events most children go to,” said Samantha.

“He couldn’t stand in a queue in a department store to meet Santa Claus, for example, and even going out to a restaurant for lunch can be difficult,” she added.

“And, because you can’t see autism, people don’t realise he has the condition. They just think he’s being naughty and badly behaved.

“Then I realised that my concerns about what other people might think were stopping Freddie having the sort of fun all children should have, especially at Christmas, and so I decided to organise this special event.”

And when it came to choosing a venue, Samantha, area sales manager for leading UK catering company, Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events, at St James’ Park, had a head start.

“The stadium’s the perfect venue,” she said. “Not only has it got the space and the catering facilities, but it’s a venue that attracts kids and families.”

On the day, the children will not only meet Santa Claus but also enjoy a festive three course lunch with their families and a special mini tour of the stadium.

Samantha’s idea has not only received the backing of the North East Autism Society but staff have also agreed to assist with the planning and will be there on the day.

The society’s family development manager Kerrie Highcock said, “I think it’s a great idea. A lot of families can feel socially isolated and the children do miss out on a lot so I think this is amazing – it’s going to be fantastic.”

Tickets cost £18.95 for a three course meal for adults and £10.95 for those aged 12 and under, with two course options also available. Bookings are now being taken and tables can be reserved by calling 0191 201 8525 or e-mailing candb@nufc.co.uk.

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