Overview

The ACC Liverpool, part of the Liverpool Experience Campus (LEX), originally opened in 2008 to mark the city’s status as a European Capital of Culture. Today, it stands as one of the UK’s leading event destinations, combining a major arena and exhibition centre under one campus.

In 2026, a new operating model was introduced. Levy UK & Ireland, which is the sports and entertainment hospitality division of Compass Group, secured the catering contract for the Exhibition Centre. To support this, Regency Purchasing Group was appointed as the dedicated procurement partner for the arena, activating a new purchasing contract to underpin the operation.

The team of experts at Regency Purchasing Group were set the challenge of establishing the supply chain, onboarding suppliers and ensuring operational readiness within just six weeks. A dedicated mobilisation team, including senior operational leaders and culinary heads, worked closely with Regency to deliver against this demanding timeline.

The Challenge and Objectives

The project required more than just setting up a supply chain; it demanded the creation of a robust and commercially viable procurement model capable of supporting a high-volume, high-profile events venue from day one. At the same time, the business needed to deliver an exceptional food and beverage experience that would meet both customer expectations and financial targets.

Success was defined not only by a smooth launch, but by the ability to demonstrate the potential long-term value of the partnership. The Regency purchasing team not only identified time and cost savings, but they focused on overall cost control, service quality and flexibility, while the Regency culinary team supported with menu development, culinary innovations and future growth opportunities.

Solution and Implementation

To meet these requirements, Regency Purchasing Group developed a tailored supply chain strategy designed to mirror, where appropriate, the supplier framework used by Levy, while still catering to the specific needs of the arena operation. This approach ensured consistency across the campus without compromising operational independence.

The process involved identifying suitable suppliers, gathering and benchmarking pricing and negotiating competitive commercial terms. Once agreed, suppliers were onboarded efficiently, with accounts opened and terms established within the tight mobilisation window. The result was a comprehensive and flexible supply chain covering all key categories, from food and beverage to cleaning, consumables and specialist services.

As the operation transitioned from mobilisation into stabilisation, the focus shifted towards optimisation. In line with ACC Liverpool’s sustainability ambitions, efforts are now being made to further rationalise the supplier base, reducing complexity while maintaining quality and value. Regency continues to manage all supply chain communications, ensuring consistency and responsiveness as the business evolves.

Value Delivered

The impact of Regency’s involvement has been felt across both operational and commercial areas. Careful benchmarking of supplier pricing has ensured strong cost control from the outset, while ongoing performance management guarantees that agreed service levels are consistently met.

Equally important has been the ability to support the wider strategic goals of the business. By creating a scalable and adaptable supply chain, the Regency team has enabled ACC Liverpool to focus on delivering high-quality customer experiences across its busy events programme. This has been further strengthened through collaborative technology initiatives, such as the development of allergy and menu management solution - Catercloud, and the planning of a chef development programme with Regency's Development Chef, Andy Chan, which will support new menu launches later in 2026.

Partnership Approach

While the Exhibition Centre and Arena operate under separate contracts, this has allowed Regency Purchasing Group to take full ownership of procurement for the arena. The partnership between Levy UK & Ireland and Regency Purchasing Group, both Compass-owned businesses, has delivered a seamless and robust management structure which has enabled a clear and focused approach to account management.

Regency has acted as the central point of coordination throughout both mobilisation and stabilisation, providing hands-on support across multiple functions. This level of ownership has been key to navigating the complexities of the project and ensuring that all objectives were met within the required timeframe.

Outcome

Regency Purchasing Group successfully delivered a fully operational procurement solution in time for the specified launch date. ACC Liverpool is now well positioned to deliver strong commercial performance while maintaining a high standard of customer experience.

With solid foundations in place and ongoing optimisation underway, the partnership is set up for long-term success, with clear potential for further growth to support the businesses ambitious growth targets.