Lockhart Catering Equipment
Lockhart Catering Equipment Helps Aloft Excel With Vibrant Crockery
Sitting right next to London's Excel international exhibition and convention centre in the Custom House area of Newham, East London, the Aloft Hotel is part of the Marriott Bonvoy Group. Our client Lockhart Catering Equipment has been working with the hotel team for several years and supplies much of the front of house equipment. In addition they have been working together to upgrade the kitchen and implement a refreshed buffet area. Our job was simple, show what can be achieved when the Lockhart and hotel team work together to deliver a great, on brand look for the hotel!
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Opened in 2012, Aloft London Excel hotel sits on the doorstep of one of the UK’s busiest exhibition centres. With a steady stream of international guests attending conferences, trade shows, and large-scale events, the hotel was designed to reflect that high-energy atmosphere – while still offering a space to relax at the end of a long day.
From the moment guests walk through the doors, Aloft feels vibrant. The bold design, contemporary interiors, and modern facilities – including a gym, pool, brasserie-style restaurant Docksider, and bar Forge – all work together to create a sense of movement and colour. This dynamic ethos is achieved with Aloft’s keen attention to detail and visual identity, particularly across food and beverage offerings.
For Food and Beverage Manager, Naveen Bazzad, presentation plays a crucial role in maintaining Aloft’s energetic ambiance:
“This colourful concept was created by Marriott, which we’re adopting here at Aloft with our crockery and menu. From the chef’s side, all the dishes he’s creating are very colourful and it’s the same when you go to our bar, all our glassware, and the theme around our bar, is very energetic and colourful. In the modern world it’s all about the visuals and Aloft is full of colours – and that’s where Lockhart comes in.”
At Aloft, crockery is not an afterthought, it’s part of the guest experience. The hotel’s menus are designed with colour and contrast in mind, meaning the plates, bowls, and glassware must complement the food rather than compete with it.
Every piece of tableware, glassware and bar equipment – from statement plates to cocktail shakers – is sourced from Lockhart Catering Equipment. Having worked together for several years, the relationship between Aloft and Lockhart has grown into a close partnership built on reliability and communication.
Dan Nutkins, Business Development Manager at Lockhart, has developed a close partnership with Naveen and the team. He believes that ongoing dialogue is key:
“I think it’s important that we’re showing our customers current trends in the market. When Chef has certain needs or is looking to make menu changes, that’s when we can step in, offer advice, and see how we can help develop their menu through our crockery range.”
Through regular communication and customer showcases, Lockhart provides ongoing trend insights, ensuring Aloft’s presentation remains fresh and aligned with wider hospitality movements. It’s a collaborative approach that allows the hotel to evolve its offering without compromising its brand identity.
The partnership extends well beyond tableware. Aloft has also recently undertaken a heavy equipment project with Lockhart, and looking ahead, the team is in the process of upgrading its buffet display equipment; another opportunity to enhance the visual impact of serve while maintaining operational efficiency during high-volume events.
For a hotel operating in the fast-paced exhibition arena, reliability is essential, and there is little room for delay. Events are scheduled months in advance, service windows are tight, and guest expectations are high.
“For me, Lockhart is all about reliability and communication,” says Naveen. “Every time we reach out to them, there is a very quick response. Whatever has been promised has always been delivered on time. In the modern world, the hotelier needs things on time. Lockhart has always delivered what they’ve promised.”
That consistency is what underpins the partnership. Whether it’s replacing key items at short notice, supporting new menu launches, or advising on buffet display upgrades, the Lockhart team understands the pace at which Aloft operates.
For Dan, the long-term relationship is what makes the collaboration rewarding.
“It’s been really enjoyable working with Naveen and the Aloft team over the last couple of years. To see some of our products go in and knowing that we’ve helped elevate the experience at Aloft is amazing – both personally and for Lockhart Catering Equipment.”
With new menu innovations already in development, Naveen anticipates expanding the hotel’s crockery range further to effectively complement dishes inline with the colourful dining experience guests have come to expect. As these developments evolve, Aloft knows it has a supplier that understands its pace and priorities, and feels confident in Lockhart’s abilities to deliver.
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