The Plough

The Plough is a community owned, serial award-winning Pub. Connect were introduced to the tenants of the Plough by recommendation of one of our existing clients. The pub was at a point where it had just been hit with huge financial increases on utilities. Savings had to be made in the business….. Conducting a full kitchen supplier audit, we ran comparisons for all categories of their food buying and generated fantastic, first year savings of over £10,000. We have since helped with additional changes, found suppliers with more suitable delivery times and offered savings of up to 17% on like for like products.

Donnington Grove



Simon is the Head Chef at Donnington Grove; a beautiful Hotel and Golf complex, set in 500 acres of countryside and overlooked by Donnington Castle. Our initial conversations with Simon centred around him an unmanageable situation of too many suppliers. Simon had also inherited a working relationship with another purchasing company that were not performing or delivering on any of their promises. Working closely with Simon, we conducted a full supplier audit, making recommendations that the hotel change and consolidate suppliers. This not only made the hotel massive financial savings, but also gave Simon a more productive supplier portfolio to move forward with.

The Bull and Butcher

We sat down with James, Head Chef and proprietor of The Bull and Butcher. A 16th Century pub nestled in an area of outstanding natural beauty and featured in over 50 tv and films. James was struggling with failed supplier deliveries and constant out of stocks. He asked us to help partner him with more reliable suppliers, who could also save money and improve product quality. Hear what James has to say about Connect………

ClipnClimb

ClipnClimb Reading needed Connects help to save money but also (and just as important) a new supplier who could offer more frequent deliveries. Set in an old grain store the centre opened in 2022 and has 24 climbing lines. When we first met Lynette, the General Manager, her delivery hadn’t turned up from her supplier and their café was struggling with stock. We found the centre a more suitable supplier who could offer timely deliveries five days a week and supply all the branded lines they required with the added benefit of a weekly saving. Lynette outlines some of the benefits of working with Connect….. 

Leander Club

Founded in 1818, Leander Club overlooks the River Thames and the English market town of Henley. Jamie (Head Chef) has the joint responsibly of feeding our future Olympic Rowers, whilst also creating an exciting and dynamic menu for the clubs members. Our brief was clear, reduce costs but ALL branded products should remain the same, or be improved. Both objectives were achieved, whilst also introducing suppliers of products with more local origins, something Jamie was keen for us to make possible. We continue to support with additional pricing need, especially for their famous annual Regatta event.

The Folly



With a unique riverside location in the heart of Oxford The Folly offers private dinning and river cruises. When we first started our partnership with Dan (Executive Chef) at The Folly, the restaurant was having frequent delivery issues due to its limited delivery access and tight driveway. Connect were able to advise on changing over to new cost effective suppliers who could also make daily deliveries using smaller vehicles and with lower minimum orders. We continue to work closely with the restaurant, most recently helping them to source environmentally friendly packaging.

Forest Care

Cedar Lodge

Forest care are group of 5 independently owned care homes. Working closely with the commercial manager, Connects mandate was to assist the group in achieving its financial goals, but also consolidate and standardise the supplier portfolio. With the implementation of our custom software platform, all the homes now use the same suppliers, ordering the same products at the same prices with access to frequent deliveries and above all - the ability to monitor ongoing costs. We continue to work with both the chefs across the homes and the general managers to ensure costs are kept low and they have the best quality of produce for their residents.

Forest Care

Elm Lodge

Forest care are group of 5 independently owned care homes. Working closely with the commercial manager, Connects mandate was to assist the group in achieving its financial goals, but also consolidate and standardise the supplier portfolio. With the implementation of our custom software platform, all the homes now use the same suppliers, ordering the same products at the same prices with access to frequent deliveries and above all - the ability to monitor ongoing costs. We continue to work with both the chefs across the homes and the general managers to ensure costs are kept low and they have the best quality of produce for their residents.