Exhibition, fair and congress organisation services

Tender description

Currently the authority directly manages eastgate indoor market. The Flea Market and Car Boot operates from Hempsted Meadow and is currently managed by an external operator. The farmers market operates adjacent to the Cross in the pedestrianised city centre at the intersection of the City’s 4 Gate Streets (Southgate, Eastgate, Northgate and Westgate streets). This market is also managed by an external operator. The authority is seeking to appoint a market operator or a number of market operators to run all of these markets and there is a degree of flexibility to allow bidders to indicate which market (or combination of markets) they wish to tender to manage. The authority seeks the appointment of suitably qualified and experienced market operator to actively manage the City Council’s Indoor Market. In addition, the market operator shall have the opportunity (but not the exclusive right) to operate ad hoc, occasional, specialist or themed markets elsewhere in the City Centre with the consent of the City Council. The market operator shall use their experience and expertise to ensure that these markets align to current trends and remain agile enough to change market offerings as need arises. The successful market operator will be expected to manage the operation of the whole Hempsted Meadow site including the operation of the markets located on the site, attracting new uses for the site in a way that enhances income for the City Council and the operator and brings wider economic and other benefits for the city. The market is located on Gloucester Cross and in parts of Eastgate Street, Westgate Street, Northgate Street and Southgate Street (see plan at appendix). Currently the market operates with between ten and fifteen stalls each Friday. The market operator will be expected to provide a farmers’ market on each Friday throughout the year (excepting where it falls on a Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day) as a minimum. The market shall comprise a minimum of 10 stalls and a maximum of 30 stalls. The authority is seeking to appoint a market operator or a number of market operators to run all of these markets and there is a degree of flexibility to allow bidders to indicate which market (or combination of markets) they wish to tender to manage.