A well-known name in Liverpool event venues, Carringtons Catering, is reporting the highest number of bookings in its 40-year history with events as far ahead as 2025. Tony McDonough reports

Catering firm Carringtons Catering is reporting a post-pandemic surge in bookings and is set for the busiest period in its 40-year history.

Carringtons, run by married couple Darren and Helen Wynn, says it is already booked to cater for up to 15 events a week for the next 12 months. Some weddings and private functions will require more than 70 members of staff to deliver them.

Event bookings are now rolling in up to 2025, three years from now. And the upturn in business is in sharp contrast to the past two years when the Wynns were left with no choice but to put operations on hold amid multiple COVID lockdowns.

Darren, a member of the Masterchefs of Great Britain who has worked in some of the top hotels in the UK, said: “Despite the easing of restrictions over the last two summers, we were very aware that the situation was still far from being normal, and we wanted to make sure that our return was long-lasting.

“We used that time to develop the business and our offering behind the scenes, making us more confident than ever in our operations, and incredibly ready for what was to come.”

During the pandemic, Carringtons remained in close contact with the region’s top event venues with whom they have worked many time. They included Meols Hall, Liverpool Town Hall, Walton Hall and Gardens, Liverpool Cathedral, St George’s Hall and St Luke’s – the Bombed-Out Church.

READ MORE: Mersey tourism will take three years to recover

READ MORE: New drive to tackle hospitality skills shortage

And that effort has now paid off. Darren added: “Since announcing that our diary is now fully open, we have been inundated with bookings – both from wedding couples and those looking to host private events. 

“We’ve really seen a spike in corporates needing our services, who want to make up for lost time and get back to face to face business. We are back to doing what we love with the venues we are proud to work with – we have never been this busy.”

Carringtons is one of the North West’s longest standing independent caterers, providing bespoke catering, event, and hospitality services. Helen added: “It’s great to know that people are still planning for the future and that they have not been deterred by the events of the last few years.

“Many have been waiting years to have their dream days or special celebrations, so we feel very proud to have been chosen to make these happen. We have so many exciting things coming up in 2022 and beyond, and it’s great to be back.”