HB Catering and Refrigeration, a specialist in commercial catering and refrigeration equipment installation and maintenance, has pivoted its offering in response to client demand in light of challenging trading conditions by rolling out a new equipment hire offering.
The business, based in South Wales, is responding to short-term demand from its clients grappling with the challenges posed by COVID-19 and subsequent lockdowns and social distancing measures. In addition, it has also noted longer-term trends around offering more temporary and flexible catering solutions.
The hospitality industry has endured a torrid 12-months thanks to multiple lockdowns, which have closed many businesses for long periods of time and limited their capacity when open. As such, many cash-strapped businesses are now looking to hire the equipment they need in the short term while they get back on their feet, and more certainty emerges about the sector’s future trading parameters.
In addition to this, long-term social distancing guidelines could force many businesses to realign their catering operations to offer customers service outside in gardens, marquees and other locations – all of which may require new equipment but only for the short term.
Meanwhile, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry was already seeing a trend for more seasonal pop-up catering solutions. Offering a hire service also caters to this market of seasonal entrepreneurs looking to try a new business opportunity but potentially unwilling or unable to invest in buying costly equipment outright.
The new department will be led by Kyle James, the compliance and installation manager of HB Catering and Refrigeration. The company anticipates creating two new jobs based on the service.
James said: “The past 12 months have created unprecedented challenges for the hospitality industry and like every business, we have had to remain nimble and alert to those changes as we look to help our clients through these tough times. These challenges have also created new types of demand that were not there before and we are reacting to those as well by launching this new offering.
“We have responded to the needs of our clients in launching this new service. At times like these when many businesses are strapped for cash and also looking to react to new conditions imposed on them around social distancing, a flexible solution to hire such as the one we are offering will be invaluable. We are already seeing many new inquiries and we look forward to helping our clients adapt and hopefully thrive again this year.”
Jacquie Jenkins, managing director of HB Catering and Refrigeration, added: “Although the hospitality sector has experienced a difficult 12 months of trading, preceded by an unease for some two years due to Brexit, I firmly believe that, while challenges remain, there are some exciting times ahead.
“The hospitality industry is adapting to change faster than any other industry in the present circumstances. Business models are evolving fast with more outdoor trading, pop up bars and takeaway facilities, which will require temporary solutions for equipment. Our new service gives clients the opportunity to ‘Give it a go’ and to see how it works without the financial outlay of buying equipment upfront.
“It is our mission here at HB Catering and Refrigeration to make sure our clients both old and new are supported throughout the reopening process and into the future. We are confident and excited to be part of that regenerationprocess of bringing customers’ plans and expectations to fruition with workable solutions either temporary or permanent.”
