Durham Cricket has appointed Thomas Franks as their new catering partner. Thomas Franks’ sport and leisure division will oversee food, beverage and hospitality services at the Clubs Banks Homes Riverside stadium, one of the premier sporting and event venues in the North East of England.
The contract, previously managed in-house by Durham Cricket Events Ltd, launched on 1st January 2026.
Thomas Franks is the UK’s leading family-owned catering partner with a global reputation for serving exceptional food made from locally sourced produce. The company, founded in 2001, works with ambitious brands across a wide range of sectors, including education, finance, law, technology and fashion. Their sport and leisure division launched in 2023 and operates contracts at Somerset County Cricket Club and Dunfermline AFC.
Banks Homes Riverside stadium in Chester-Le-Street is a 15,000 capacity venue which plays home to Durham Cricket’s fixtures in the Rothesay County Championship, Metro Bank One Day Cup and Vitality Blast T20 competition and hosts international fixtures for England men and women. The stadium also hosts a wide range of large events and has a busy hospitality business.
Ian Dawson, Finance Director at Durham Cricket, said: “We were impressed by Thomas Franks’ personal approach, the robustness of their financial projections and their creativity.
“There was a strong alignment in values between our organisations, particularly in our shared commitment to supporting small local enterprises within the supply chain. I am confident this partnership will enhance the experience for everyone who visits Banks Homes Riverside.”
Glen Banks, Director of Thomas Franks Sport and Leisure, said: “We are delighted that Durham has chosen to partner with Thomas Franks.
“The club has produced some of the most inspirational cricketers our country has ever seen, and we are excited to bring the same flair and excitement to the catering offer across the stadium.
“From the outset, it was clear that Thomas Franks and the Club share values of excellence, community and fun, and we will use these as a springboard to create unique and memorable experiences at Banks Homes Riverside in the years ahead.”