Entertainment services

Tender description

Blackpool Council wishes to invite proposals for the development of the Golden Mile Centre, the Promenade, Blackpool. Participants with an extensive track-record of operating world class (by which the Council means an attraction or brand widely recognised both inside and outside the UK) branded family orientated visitor attractions known for their high quality and widespread appeal are required to submit proposals to Blackpool Council for the proposed future use of the Golden Mile Centre. Proposals must include potential redevelopment of the building, along with the ongoing proposals for operation of the developed facility. Blackpool Council wishes to appoint a partner/operator through a competitive dialogue procedure pursuant to Regulation 30 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (‘PCR 2015’). The partner/operator must be able to clearly demonstrate a track record of its the ability to meet the Council's requirements and the successful bidder will be the one who offers the most economically advantageous tender following the shortlisting and dialogue stage. It is anticipated that the operator contract term will be a minimum of 30 years but the Council is inviting bidders to state the optimum term in their business proposal to maximise visitor numbers and income generation for the Golden Mile Centre. The final term length will be determined through the dialogue process but will be sufficient to allow the successful tenderer to recoup investments made. The Golden Mile Centre is a key element of the next phase of intense improvement in the overall Blackpool tourism offer. Blackpool Council is seeking to enter into a contract with a leading entertainment/leisure service provider in order to develop and operate a new world class (by which the Council means an attraction or brand widely recognised both inside and outside the UK) visitor attraction to optimise tourism use of the Golden Mile Centre. Shortlisted bidders should have operated at least one attraction with annual visitor numbers in excess of 200 000. Proposals should be focused around branded family orientated visitor attractions known for their high quality and widespread appeal. The Council is willing to consider a range of delivery options including: • operator to deliver redevelopment and operation of the Golden Mile Centre; • operator to work jointly with the Council to deliver redevelopment and then operation of the Golden Mile Centre. The Council is currently unable to give a specific contract value, however, this will reflect the development and operating costs of the project as determined through the dialogue process. Please note that the Council will not consider housing, office accommodation and/or retail-focused development proposals for the Golden Mile Centre.