Catering services

Tender description

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is currently in the process of delivering a GBP 200 million capital investment that will significantly transform the Preston City Campus. A landmark building, the GBP 57 million student centre building, provides a new heart for the University and a gateway from the City into the Campus, with enhanced public realm and a transformational new square. The building will provide a welcome point for students, staff and visitors and delivers frontline student support services, and provides high quality student experience through the Student Social Learning spaces. The centre is located in central Preston and is due to open in April 2021. The new building will be used predominantly as a student hub for self study and support services, but will also contain workshops and lecture rooms. The University would like to source a catering partner to supply and operate the Café and food to go as their own business. The intention is a modern, contemporary, high quality refreshment service providing the option to buy and dwell or purchase and go. The aim is to maximise interest and custom from students, staff and visitors, alongside attracting potential custom from the wider business population of Preston. This procurement is hoping to attract local SMEs that have current business interests in Preston and see a low risk but high profile opportunity to expand and develop the business partnership with UCLan. As there is no kitchen on site and limited storage, products will have to be prepared and produced off site with limited finishing within the facility. The facility will have two aspects to it, a served barista cafe providing hot and cold high quality snacks and a bank of shop fitted food merchandisers offering a more convenient automated self help service and checkout. It is envisaged that the self help will include but not be limited to filled bread products, a salad fill your own bar, hot pots and boxes of wings and things, noodles, pasta pots, etc. It is envisaged that the catering partner may be able to provide design suggestions if timing allows within the building process. The contract will be for an initial 24 months, from March 2021 with services commencing April 2021. There is no requirement for financial investment or long term commitment. The partnership will be on a ‘licence to occupy’ arrangement. Panache consultancy are assisting the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) with this tender exercise. Further information can be obtained by contacting Panache Consultancy at gailheath@panacheconsultancy.co.uk