Expressions of Interest - running Chapel Gallery, Ormskrk

Tender description

West Lancashire Borough Council is seeking expressions of interest from organisations to take over and run the Chapel Gallery on a commercial basis. However, the vision for the Gallery is that it retains an arts and cultural focus with exhibitions, performances, films and other cultural activities that draw people into the town and contribute to the economic and social activity of Ormskirk. The Chapel Gallery plays a pivotal role as Ormskirk's creative and cultural hub providing new and compelling reasons for people to visit the town centre. The Council would expect a new operator to introduce new activities that would contribute positively to the town centre with complementary uses that would increasing footfall and vibrancy within the town and the Gallery itself. The Chapel Gallery currently has bookings for a variety of users. These help to drive footfall into the café, shop and town centre more generally. As well as exhibitions, a regular arts club is held along with workshops, talks and summer holiday clubs. Further details can be provided to interested parties. Where practicable it is envisaged that the new operator will continue with these bookings. The Gallery hosts a number of events including the Lancashire Open in the summer and other exhibitions as well as supporting town centre events such as the annual Christmas Lights Switch on, Gingerbread Festival and Motorfest. The Council and stakeholders of the town would like to grow the number of activities and events in Ormskirk town centre. As well as continuing to host events such as the Lancashire Open in the Gallery, the council asks that the operator of the Gallery is proactive in supporting art and cultural events in the town centre as well as opening the Gallery and hosting activities within it which are complementary to the events itself. There are a number of activities for children hosted by the Gallery. The holiday clubs are especially popular. The existing café facility trades well although there is potential to develop this much further. The Chapel Gallery holds a Premises Licence which includes the sale and supply of alcohol. Expression of interest documents are available via 'The Chest' https://www.the-chest.org.uk , interested applicants should register on 'The Chest' and visit the 'Current opportunities' page and then click on the drop down menu for 'West Lancashire Borough Council' to access further details of the opportunity. Site visits to Chapel Gallery are available to interested applicants. Any interested applicant who wishes to request a site visit is requested to do via https://the-chest.org.uk messaging system. Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 9/9/19 2.00pm via https://the-chest.org.uk, clarifications in relation to this requirement must be submitted via the messaging system within 'The Chest' by 4/9/19 2.00pm. Keywords: cafe, community, gallery, art, retail, events