Kielder Salmon Hatchery Visitor Centre Refurbishment with Aquarium

Kielder Salmon Centre (KSC), in Kielder village, Northumberland, is a Salmon hatchery and visitor attraction located within Kielder Water & Forest Park (KWFP). It is the largest conservation Salmon hatchery in England and Wales and also features freshwater pearl mussel breeding beds. The Environment Agency wants to refurbish and modernise the existing visitor centre at Kielder Hatchery site, to showcase the aquatic wildlife of the area.

Kielder Hatchery is a free attraction that is open to the public daily from 10am to 4pm, April to September, and it is estimated that between 3,000 and 4,500 visitors visit each year. The experience currently comprises an indoor visitor centre space (approx. 9mx 4m) with audio-visual and graphic displays; and access to view the outdoor pearl mussel beds. The Visitor Centre is self guided so no extra staff are required.

It is also possible to book visits in advance for larger interested groups and schools , to organise a guided behind the scenes tours of the main hatchery tanks and buildings and occasional guided visits to broodstock collection and smolt trap operations, however this is independent to the self-guided visitor centre experience

Currently the signage looks tired, the touch TFT screens and the wall mounted TV no longer work and the video footage in the central display is in an old file format that cannot be updated

This main objective of this project is essential maintenance and an improved and refurbished visitor experience based on feedback of current visitors asking to see the fish.

The objective is to also enhance information accessibility and improve public and Visitor information on the site. Within the context of the Living Wild at Kielder project aspirations, the Centre team also aims to play a positive and active part in helping visitors and local people to enjoy, learn, share and immerse themselves in Kielder Water and Forest Park's wildlife and nature, while contributing to the long-term protection of the area's special species and habitats.

The supplier is invited to develop and deliver proposals based on their expertise; within the agreed budget of £80k this proposal should include a number of core items:

Refurbished visitor centre with no Health & Safety hazards

Improved visitor experience with a new aquarium fish tank displaying live fish / animals.

Other elements as proposed by suppliers as part of their bid

Innovative approach to design, taking into account the wide demographic of the centre users.

In order to apply, please register with our e-tendering portal at: https://defra.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html