CONCESSION FOR THE CAFÉ OPERATION IN MOUNT CONGREVE HOUSE & GARDENS

Tender description

Mount Congreve Trust are inviting expressions of interest for a strong development partner to operate the Café facility at Mount Congreve to enhance the overall visitor attraction at Mount Congreve and ensure its long-term commercial viability. Mount Congreve is located 7km west of Waterford City on the River Suir and is easily accessible from the M9 and N25. The 46km Waterford to Dungarvan Greenway passes along the boundary and there is visitor access. In addition, the Waterford and Suir Valley Railway travels contiguous to the Mount Congreve Estate. In 2019 Mount Congreve was awarded funding of €5m from the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF) Fáilte Ireland (FI) and Waterford City and county Council (WCCC) to upgrade the visitor facilities to cater for up to 150,000 visitors annually. This project is progressing at the moment and will open in Quarter 2 2022. The improvements will include • relocating the visitor reception and hospitality into the main house, • Provision of a fully fitted commercial kitchen, dining area and retail space • Provision of car parking for 200 Cars, waste treatment facility and playground • Upgrading aspects of the gardens including paths, greenhouse, garden features and signage and animation. The redevelopment of Mount Congreve is of sufficient scale to drive a significant increase in visitor numbers to the House & Gardens and substantially enhance Waterford as a tourism destination, and increase dwell time with the consequent economic benefits. Assets which will be available to consider in your development proposal are, fully fitted commercial kitchen and Café area for 90 people. The successful tenderer will be required to: • Develop the Café offer as agreed with the Mount Congreve Trust • Provide a high-quality food offer ideally with a strong emphasis on Waterford Artisan food. • Commit to working in partnership with the Mount Congreve Trust to meet the visitor expectations and promote the attraction. • Develop all the necessary contacts to advance th