THE management company behind York Barbican has acquired the event catering and hospitality firm which service York Racecourse.

SMG Europe, which operates York Barbican alongside venues such as Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle and Odyssey Arena in Belfast, has taken over Leeds-based CGC.

With a turnover of £20 million and staff numbers of 200 full-time, rising to more than 1,000 staff on peak days, CGC caters exclusively at eight racecourses across the north of England, including York.

Alongside this, CGC provides matchday and non-matchday catering for five northern football and rugby stadiums as well as public and event catering at ten heritage locations including the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate.

In addition to its venue catering, CGC offers a catering service at events ranging from Welcome To Yorkshire’s 2014 White Rose Awards to the annual Harrogate Flower Shows.

Wes Westley, president and chief executive of SMG, which turns over £45 million with combined European group revenues of £175 million, said: “Local knowledge is the foundation of our worldwide success and this acquisition really strengthens our established food and beverage service.

“CGC is undoubtedly the best in its field and will enable us to extend our offering, so we’re delighted to be working alongside the team.”

Darran Coulson, managing director of CGC Events, said: “We’re very excited to be joining the SMG family. Having established an excellent reputation in the north of the country, we’re now looking forward to blending our local knowledge with SMG’s global reach and expertise.”