Assembly Rooms Festival Operator

Tender description

The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to inform the market of the intention of the City of Edinburgh Council (the “Council”) to tender a Concession Contract for an experienced Events Producer or Organisation, to develop and manage a program of performances on the full first floor of The Assembly Rooms during a 5-week summer period in August of each year starting in 2026. The Council’s aim is to appoint an experienced Event Producer or Organisation to develop and manage a diverse program of performances, provide all box office and marketing requirements, provide all production staff to support programme and operate the shows and build seating infrastructure within the venue to maximise pace and potential. Please note that the Assembly Rooms will provide all bars in the venue and retain all income generated from Bar sales. Assembly Rooms will also provide all Front of House and Security staff in line with Event Producer's requirements and all costs of staff to be met by the Event Producer. The estimated contract value is based on the rental fee paid to the Council, it does not include any anticipated staff cost. The street area outside the Assembly Rooms has been used as an additional performance and bar area during the Festival by previous hirers, the agreement to utilise this a separate discussion with the City of Edinburgh Council and as such is not part of this hire. It is expected that the new Contract shall operate from August 2026 for a period of five years with the option (at the Council’s discretion) to extend for a further two 12-month periods. Lot 1: Concession Contract for an experienced Events Producer or Organisation who will develop and manage a program of performances on the full first floor of The Assembly Rooms during a 5-week summer period in August of each year starting in 2026.