Appointment of an operator to run the historic Carrickfergus & The Gobbins City Deal Tourism Projects in MEA

***PRELIMINARY MARKET ENGAGEMENT EXERCISE***

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council has secured Belfast Region City Deal funding approval for the Historic Carrickfergus and The Gobbins Projects, which are two inter-related visitor attraction projects in Mid and East Antrim Borough, Northern Ireland.

The Council is interested in exploring the opportunity to appoint a suitably experienced operator to manage and operate its two interrelated heritage visitor attraction Projects as one operator contract.

Prior to commencing a procurement of an operator for the two inter-related visitor attraction projects, the Council wishes to discuss with experienced operators the Council's thinking in relation to its approach to the operator procurement, including scope of operator services, risk allocation, commercial terms and procurement process.

By undertaking this initial PME, the Council is seeking to attract strong market interest in any subsequent procurement, resulting in the appointment of an operator with the experience and capability to successfully deliver the Council's aim and ambitions for the two inter-related visitor attraction projects.