Tunbridge Wells Café Concession at the Ice Rink

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is inviting tenders for the concession of a café at its annual ice rink in Calverley Grounds. The contract term will be an initial 1 year, with a possible 1 year extension subject to agreement.

The Ice Rink has been running in Calverley Grounds for 10 years. In previous year's, the Ice Rink attracted nearly 40,000 skaters, with increased footfall to the area from visitors watching the skaters or who just come along for a walk within the grounds. Anecdotally we have in excess of 80,000 visitors in the period.

In the 2016/17 season we attracted 39,214 skaters and last year, 2017/18, the figure was 39,827. The Ice Rink has additional attractions such as a resident Father Christmas and evening entertainment. For the 2020/21 season it is our intention to expand on this in order to increase visitor numbers and footfall to the grounds.The successful tenderer will be responsible for providing an appealing counter and surrounding area. And will also be responsible for keeping this area clean and tidy throughout the day and the end of day clean (in partnership with the bar concession).

Key Dates & Timeline for Procurement

Tender release: Thursday 1st July 2021

Expression of Interest Closes: 12:00pm Friday 23rd July 2021 Deadline for submission of completed tenders: 12:00pm Friday 30th July 2021

Evaluation: w/c Monday 2nd August 2021

Appointment of contractor: w/c Monday 9th August 2021

All expressions of interest, and subsequent communications and proposal submissions, must be made via the Kent Business Portal: www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk