A NEW, purpose-built hospitality hub, designed to be a centre of excellence where new products can be tested and developed by the food and drink sector, opened its doors yesterday.

Food wholesaler Bidfood’s new centre in Larbert, said to be the first of its kind in Scotland was launched by rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing.

The aim is to work in partnership with food and drink suppliers to test and develop new products as well as to support menu development and innovation for some of Bidfood’s 5000 customers across hotels, restaurants, cafes, care homes, healthcare and education in Scotland.

The launch is part of the foodservice provider’s wider strategy to drive product innovation and growth for its Scottish suppliers.

The hub comprises a bar, deli, a fully operational industrial kitchen and non-food catering suite.

Ewing said: “The wholesale sector represents a huge part of our food and drink economy in Scotland, and it’s fantastic to see Bidfood’s investment in this innovative facility and the exciting prospects it will bring for Scottish food and drink suppliers and customers throughout the country.”

Bidfood works in partnership with Scotland Food and Drink, VisitScotland and the Scottish Tourism Alliance to support the delivery of a strategy to double the value of the Scottish food and drink sector to £30 billion by 2030.