Low Value Commercial Activities in the borough's parks and open spaces

In August 2016, the Council initiated an early market engagement exercise to gauge the level of specialist operator interest in the management and operation of high quality concession activities in the borough's parks and open spaces. Please refer to the Business Opportunity Prospectus (Appendix 1) for full details of this exercise. The prospectus also includes details of all the formal green spaces in the borough, and the services and facilities already on offer.

The Council received a positive response to this soft market test. Therefore, to develop the Council's ambitions for its parks and open spaces, we are now embarking on a formal competitive procurement exercise.

The first stage of this programme is to seek formal proposals from potential operators. Then, subject to an evaluation and selection process, operators of appropriate activities (i.e. those which support the Council's vision and priorities, as well as stimulate the local economy and enhance the borough's green spaces), will be offered licence agreements to provide concession activities in the borough's parks and open spaces.