STUART ROSE, chief executive of Marks & Spencer, is considering plans to take on Compass and Sodexho with a move into the £1 billion event- catering market.

Rose has asked a newly formed M&S team — led by director Richard Flint — to examine the market and report back to him early in the new year.

The move could result in M&S providing sandwiches, nibbles and hot food at sporting events, concerts and trade shows.

It was while visiting an air show that Rose decided to examine the possibility of moving into catering.

“There were people sitting on M&S blankets, eating M&S food — which lends itself well to that type of event.

I thought, should we look at catering? Should we do this on a more formal basis?” said Rose in an interview in today’s Sunday Times.

Rose also criticised the standard of food served at many sporting events:

“I had a box at Lord’s earlier this year — they told me I could not bring my own food and then served up rubbish.”

Rose announced the formation of a food-development unit last week, alongside upbeat interim results.

The unit, he said, would explore opportunities to broaden the reach of the food business.

M&S is already testing takeaway hot-food counters in two London stores.

“Customers regard our food as value for money. Food is still a really potent weapon in our recovery,” said Rose.

Last week Rose announced upbeat results with a 20% rise in pre-tax profits.

But in today’s Sunday Times interview he warns that the greatest danger facing M&S is complacency: “It’s not a slam dunk. It is tough out there.” oTerra Firma, the private-equity firm run by corporate financier Guy Hands, has appointed CSFB to advise on a £1 billion bid for SSP, the motorway-services and rail- concessions division being sold by Compass Group, the troubled contract caterer.

Terra Firma is one of dozens of likely bidders. The sale is being handled by Citigroup.

SSP, which also operates from airports and includes the Burger King and Upper Crust brands, is also likely to attract interest from trade buyers, including Autogrill of Italy and Sodexho.

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