The Barbican re-launching restaurants and catering services

The Barbican Centre has announced new catering contracts with Searcy’s and high street brand Benugo. 

Commencing summer 2015, the contracts will re-launch three of the arts center's main dining spaces.

Searcy’s will be extending its 25 year relationship with the centre to open two new Barbican eateries in partnership with ‘one of London’s most celebrated chefs’.

The 150 cover Barbican Lounge on the first floor will be transformed in to a premium fast casual dining concept, while the second floor Gin Joint brasserie and bar, re-launched by Searcy’s in 2013, will become a contemporary modern bistro.

Benugo will re-launch the 200 cover ground floor Foodhall as the Barbican kitchen, a lakeside space serving organic pizza from a wood fired oven.

The company will also operate the cinema cafes and foyer coffee points around the centre.

Ben Warner, found of Benugo, said: “We will be completely overhauling the existing operations and creating a seasonal food destination within the Barbican focused around a hand built wood fired oven.

“The Barbican is an organisation we have long admired and whose values and approach to their cultural programme closely resonates with our approach to food.”

Chris Maddison, Searcys’ managing director, said the company was 'delighted' to extend their partnership with the center.

“The Barbican set a stern challenge to all the catering companies taking part in the tender and we are very proud to have their trust placed in us. We are confident that when we open our two new restaurants they will firmly establish the Barbican on London’s culinary map," he said.

The Barbican is Europe’s largest combined conference and arts venue, with 1.8m visitors passing through the centre every year.