Glasgow-based Quality Equipment Distributors (QED) is a leading UK designer and supplier of modular bar, coffee shop and food service equipment, with a large selection of contemporary and classic module styles for catering and retail environments.
The company was recently appointed to supply a self-service catering facility at the newly-opened Ure Café at Glasgow City Chambers, which is named after former Lord Provost of Glasgow, John Ure.
Situated in the city centre, City Chambers is one of Glasgow’s most prestigious buildings. A grand and imposing edifice overlooking George Square, it is an impressive symbol of Glasgow’s political strength and historical wealth. Completed in 1888, it has been the headquarters of successive councils serving the City of Glasgow for over a century.
Ure Café was commissioned by Encore Hospitality Services, part of the Cordia Group, in partnership with Glasgow City Council. The brief handed to QED was to transform a dated-looking carvery into a modern catering environment that was, at the same time, in harmony with the existing character of the premises. This included the design of bespoke counters clad in the same classic picture-frame woodpanelling as the rest of the room.
The complete servery system includes Bain Marie and heated counters, refrigerated counters, an ambiant counter, a panini grill, a coffee station with a bean-to-cup coffee machine, a condiment station and a cash register. There is also a back-bar system with mirrored shelving and under-counter refrigerated storage.
Ure Café now serves as a popular catering facility for all council employees, elected councillors and other officials that work in the building. According to Jenny McIntyre, food and beverage services manager at Encore Hospitality Services, the new cafe has been a great success and well received by its clientele. She also praised the professionalism and expertise of QED’s managing director Robert Campbell and his team, who installed and commissioned the facilities on time and on budget.
