A decade of serving the commercial catering sector
7th June 2023
Author EditorPosted on Categories Features
Indigo Catering Equipment Limited has gone from strength to strength in its first 10 years, as we find out in this interview with its founder, Christian Barnes.
After a successful career in financial futures trading, Christian Barnes made a career switch that would eventually see him launch his own business.
He moved into the commercial catering equipment and design sector in 1998 and 15 years later was at the helm of a start-up.
The business now has an annual turnover of more than £3m and provides professional services for both established businesses/premises as well as new start-ups.
From turnkey solutions to front and back of house, Indigo offers a one-stop solution for all commercial kitchen needs.
As well as being the go-to kitchen design house and consultancy, Indigo delivers innovative ideas, smooth installation and co-ordinated project management.
Its clients are as diverse as its game-changing solutions – from schools and universities to sporting venues, not to mention traditional catering establishments such as hotels, restaurants and gourmet food pubs.
It is an exciting business that serves an exciting sector, and is led by a team that is passionate about delivering only the very best. On time and within budget.
We asked Christian some questions to learn more about the brand and discover the secrets to its success.
How did you come to start the business?
“I started it with two credit cards and an office loaned to me by a family member.
“I was fortunate in that a lot of my clients came with me, including two large local authorities.”
Where did the name of the business come from?
“There was a very short brainstorming session with my wife’s uncle in his office.
“There used to be a firm called Indigo that made exhibition stands. My uncle suggested it and I just said ‘Yes’.“
Who was your first big client?
“A local county council. I started the business shortly before the then coalition government launched universal free school meals for children in year groups 1 and 2.
“A lot of work needed to be carried out to deliver this initiative. One hundred schools needed their kitchens upgraded, within the timeframe allocated, and we have never looked back since.”
What are your goals for the future?
“Our aim is to get the annual turnover to £5m.
“To help achieve this, the younger members of the team are now taking the business forward with new ideas with design and project management, as well as looking at energy efficient equipment.
What are the services you most enjoy delivering?
“Obviously, every project is important to us and we enjoy delivering them all. However, if I had to pick out one or two, then I would say turnkey solutions and new openings.
“We are currently working on a project for a rugby club. As well as doing the back-of-house kitchen, we are doing the front-of-house. This means, we are delivering an entire concept – from the colours of tiles and paint to furnishings and fittings.
“We really enjoy working with people who have new ideas. Those opening new restaurants tend to favour us because of our extensive experience. We also rarely say no to a challenge.”
About Indigo Catering Equipment Limited
In addition to all the services previously mentioned, Indigo also offers kitchen cleaning and furniture solutions as well as help to finance a commercial kitchen.
Clients include care homes and hospitals, along with retail, commercial and leisure concerns.
It doesn’t stop there. The business carries out kitchen work in Heritage, including Listed, buildings and private homes.
Examples of recent work include the complete refurbishment of a kitchen at a prestigious hotel and a turnkey project for a major restaurant chain in Covent Garden, London.
The results were a superb, functional commercial kitchen that was fully compliant and easy to maintain and catered for the new menu and dining room experience.
In Covent Garden, Indigo worked with a restaurant chain, a contractor and an architect to ensure the delivery of a theatre-style kitchen plus a production kitchen on another floor – for the chain’s first restaurant in Europe.
Indigo supplied all the equipment and ensured each item matched that used in the group’s Asian restaurants.
Commercial kitchens
Good commercial kitchens and associated services are essential for the safe and successful running of any food business or premises that prepares food.
As well as taking care of the aesthetics, Indigo ensures a kitchen ‘works’, making it easier to prepare food in and keep clean. A great kitchen designed to be compliant and functional saves a business money and ensures effortless hygiene.