A £6million contract has been awarded to an Essex catering company for two Bury St Edmunds venues.

West Suffolk Council, which operates event venues The Apex and The Athenaeum, has awarded a contract to catering company Seasoned.

For the next five years, the Chelmsford caterer will operate the cafe, the three bars in the 500-seater auditorium, foyer and lounge at The Apex, as well as events at The Athenaeum.

Seasoned's managing partner of venues Graham Turner said: "The Apex is an opportunity for Bury St Edmunds to showcase itself to a wider regional and national audience.

"We are looking forward to collaborating with West Suffolk Council to inject new impetus in the catering services and enhance the food and drink offer, showcasing Suffolk's talented producers and suppliers."

Mr Turner added: "We want visitors to The Apex, and guests at The Athenaeum, to be excited by the quality of our new cafe, bar and event experiences and for them to enjoy both venues as places to meet, work, learn, present, socialise and relax, whilst enjoying the inspiring range of memorable cultural experiences."