Old Skool Bus Events, a UK-based event company, has been named as a finalist in two categories for the prestigious Festival Supplier Awards 2026. The awards, which celebrate outdoor events and their suppliers, will take place on Thursday 29th January at the De Vere Connaught Rooms in central London.
The company has been shortlisted for the Best New Product/Service of the year and Best Support Service – Crew Catering categories for their work at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival. Kate Packham, the director of Old Skool Bus Events, has over 25 years of experience in event management, including roles at popular festivals such as Boomtown, Shambala, and Glastonbury.
Packham started the original business, called “The Old Skool Bus & Kitchen”, with two friends during lockdown in 2020. After separating from her partners, she relaunched the business as “Old Skool Bus Events – Kitchen & Bar”. The company operates in two main event sectors, providing event catering for private parties, weddings, and corporate events in Sussex, as well as catering for the UK festival industry.
Packham expressed her excitement over being shortlisted for the awards, saying, “We are absolutely blown away that in just 18 months of relaunching our ‘Old Skool Bus Events – Kitchen & Bar’, we would be shortlisted in TWO award categories in the UK Festival Supplier Awards!” She also highlighted their progress in the crew catering services, where they were the first to open and last to close at Glastonbury’s Worthy Farm, serving over 40,000 meals in 56 consecutive days.
In addition to their success in the festival industry, Old Skool Bus Events has also implemented sustainable and inclusive practices within their business. Packham, who qualified in Nutrition & Health Coaching in February 2025, has developed nourishing menus for crew and artists on site, and recruited a new team of chefs and staff in Spring 2025.
The Festival Supplier Awards, now in their eleventh year, are judged by a panel of industry experts and recognize companies for their innovation, expertise, and dedication within the outdoor event sector. Michelle Tayton, event director of the Festival Supplier Awards, praised the high caliber of entries received this year and the achievements of Old Skool Bus Events.
The award ceremony and dinner will take place on Thursday 29th January 2025 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. The event is judged by a panel of esteemed industry experts, including representatives from Live Nation, London Marathon Events, and IMG. Old Skool Bus Events is honored to be recognized for their hard work and ability to deliver exceptional services to their clients.
