EXCLUSIVE

A catering contract thought to be worth almost £40,000 a month to the Gills is coming to an end.

The five-year contract between Priestfield Stadium, in Gillingham, and Compass Catering will finish in May.

The company provides all catering to the restaurants and bars in the stadium and began the contract after the club finished in 14th place in League One at the end of the 2005/06 season.

A company spokesman said: "We can confirm that our five-year contract with Priestfield Stadium in Gillingham comes to its end in May 2011, at the end of the football season.

"It has been a pleasure working with the stadium and contributing to the customer experience. We wish them the best of luck with the future."

Chairman Paul Scally said: "Compass's contract expires at the end of May and we will not be offering it the opportunity of renewing."

Neither Mr Scally nor Compass would reveal why the contract was not being extended.

It is believed the contract is worth £39,000 per month to the Gills, but neither side would confirm the figure.

Mr Scally added: "I would be failing in my duty if I had not arranged facilities for June 1 but at this stage I am unable to confirm which way, or with whom, we will be progressing."

Compass Catering is one of the biggest hospitality and food service groups in the world employing 50,000 people and with an operating profit of more than £110 million, according to its website.