YORK’S £90 million shopping park has turned to local suppliers following a national search for security services.

The Vangarde shopping centre has appointed York-based Eboracum Group to provide security and cleaning services after putting the contract out to tender nationally.

Castlegate-based Eboracum came out on top in the competitive selection process after impressing the Vangarde team with its track record of providing security, business support and traffic management services to events such as Illuminating York, the Jorvik Viking Festival, and the Great Yorkshire Fringe.

Carl Nickson, director of Eboracum, said: “It is very pleasing to win a local contract for a vibrant retail destination which people hold in high regard.

“Vangarde Shopping Park is renowned for its high-quality shopping offer and we are delighted to provide our services to further ensure the customers’ shopping experience is safe and enjoyable.

“After being part of a rigorous tender process, it is great to be able to support another local business and see two York businesses join together for the benefit of the community.”

Having started on April 1, the contract sees the delivery of a range of services at the shopping park including health and safety checks, cleaning, security and maintaining a safe and secure experience for visitors to the site.

Deborah O’Donnell, centre manager for Vangarde Shopping Park, said: “We are always looking to ensure that the Vangarde experience is the best that it can be for all customers. We feel that Eboracum is best placed to ensure that experience remains at the quality that ourselves, and our customers, expect.

“We are also pleased to support a local business which has a great reputation for the services it provides in York – which in turn will support local jobs for our community.”

Eboracum bosse say the firm prides itself in employing local people who are familiar with the local area, as well as supporting local businesses.

The contract covers the entire Vangarde site which includes John Lewis, Next and Marks and Spencer as its three main retailers, with a range of food outlets on site including Prezzo, Giraffe, Frankie and Bennies, Nandos and Wok and Go.