Rovers have announced that Sodexo have secured the catering contract at Ewood Park.

A long-term partnership will start on July 1 and see Sodexo providing catering for supporters and hospitality for the club’s corporate suites, lounges and executive boxes on matchdays, as well as the hospitality for private conferences and events held at the club.

Rovers say they and Sodexo will jointly invest in both the hospitality and concourse retail facilities at Ewood Park initially with new digital signs in public areas, with a focus on new electronic point of sales systems and improved audio-visual facilities in the lounges.

Sodexo deliver similar catering services at other leading sporting venues, such as Brighton and Hove Albion, Everton, Newcastle United, Hampden Park, Emerald Headingley Stadium and Ascot Racecourse – and have also just sealed a deal with Championship side Swansea City.

They replace long-term caterers Northcote whose deal with the club comes to and at the end of this month.

A club spokesman said: “Following a comprehensive review of the catering market, Blackburn Rovers are pleased to announce that Sodexo, a leading global services company, has secured the catering contract at Ewood Park.

“A new food offer with a strong focus on working with local artisan producers and suppliers along with a new hospitality offer are currently being finalised and will be in place prior to the start of the 2019/20 season.

“This new partnership will see Sodexo bring its vast experience and expertise in delivering quality catering and hospitality services in what we hope will be a long lasting and close working relationship with the club.”

”Blackburn Rovers would like to take this opportunity to thank Northcote, who we enjoyed a very strong partnership with over the past 18 years, for the excellent service they have provided to the club and we wish them every success for the future.”