News: Massarella goes for growth with Barclays Corporate

Massarella Catering Group has announced a further partnership with Barclays Corporate in its continuing strategic growth plans.

Based in Laughton, Rotherham, Massarella Catering Group provide catering services within shopping centres, department stores, garden centres and retail and leisure outlets. The company has recently completed additional sales finance facilities and are now solely banked by Barclays Corporate.

Mark Massarella, managing director at Massarella Catering Group, said: "Barclays Corporate has been very supportive of our requirements and plays an integral part in our plans for future growth.

"With the new banking relationship in place, we are now able to focus on further growth plans. The newly arranged sales finance will be a massive boost for taking advantage of the opportunities the current climate presents."

The company, who recently suffered a temporary set back with the demise of T J Hughes, has seen an increase in business elsewhere and has over 150 sites serving 22 million people each year.

The company began with Giovanni Massarella and his three brothers who arrived in England in 1860 and were so taken by South Yorkshire they decided to abandon their journey to America and settle there instead. The enterprise became one of the largest ice cream manufacturers in Europe.

The group now employs 2,000 people throughout the UK in brands such as Cafe Nova and Cafe Zest as well as Massarella's Restaurants and Coffee Shops. Outlets can be found in House of Fraser and TK Maxx stores.

Alastair Watson, Barclays Corporate Relationship Director said: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to support this forward thinking and ambitious South Yorkshire based business bring their aspirations to fruition. Barclays is committed to supporting local businesses and we wish the management team every success for the future."

Massarella Catering Group website

Images: massarella.co.uk