Scope
Description
The Council is looking to appoint one organisation to be the Operator for the Kirkleatham Walled Garden facility including catering academy, historic Georgian horticultural gardens which are to be open to the public, an events facility including a large marquee and a café/restaurant.
This is a concession contract with an initial duration of 5 years plus an optional 5 year extension available.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2031
- Possible extension to 30 September 2036
- 10 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 55000000 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services
Contract locations
- UKC12 - South Teesside
Engagement
Engagement deadline
13 March 2026
Engagement process description
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council are inviting suitably qualified and experienced operators to take part in a Market Engagement exercise, ahead of an anticipate Procurement exercise to appoint an operator for the Kirkleatham Walled Garden catering, training and events facility.
The engagement will provide information on the Council's proposed service specification, strategic objectives, and anticipated procurement process. It will also give suppliers the opportunity to provide feedback on delivery models, risk allocation, commercial arrangements, and innovation opportunities.
Tender documentation is expected to be issued in April 2026.
One-to-one provider engagement sessions are available on 10th and 13th March 2026, these sessions are 60-minute appointments to be held virtually via Microsoft Teams.
Where appropriate, anonymised or summary feedback from the engagement exercise may be shared with all interested parties to support transparency and equal treatment.
The Council will ensure that information obtained during engagement is managed fairly and that no participant receives an unfair competitive advantage.
Providers wishing to register attendance must do so in writing to procurement@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk no later than 17:00 on Friday 6 March 2026. Please provide your organisation's name and name of those wishing to attend, along with email addresses.
If you are unable to attend on the dates provided but would like to discuss the forthcoming opportunity with the Council, please email and we will endeavour to arrange a call to discuss.
Participation in this preliminary market engagement exercise is voluntary. Participation does not guarantee inclusion in any subsequent procurement process. Non-participation will not disadvantage any potential bidder. All bidders in the future procurement will have equal access to relevant information.
Information submitted as part of this engagement will be used solely for the purpose of informing the procurement process and will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Procedure
Special regime
Concession
Contracting authority
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHZX-3726-LWBD
Redcar and Cleveland House, Kirkleatham Street
Redcar
TS10 1RT
United Kingdom
Region: UKC12 - South Teesside
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government