Scope
Reference
HQU511082025
Description
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is keen to invite expressions of interest from experienced and innovative operators
to run two key cultural venues in Redhill, Surrey:
The Harlequin Theatre - a long-established and well-loved 494-seat performing arts venue.
Unit 5 at The Rise - a newly developed, highly visible and versatile performance space with approximately 200 seats, located in Redhill's premier leisure development.
These venues are available as standalone opportunities or as a dual offer, giving potential operators flexibility to align with their expertise and ambitions.
The outcome of this pre-market engagement is also to help inform the Council's proposed operator model for the Harlequin Theatre and potentially Unit 5, and to determine the appropriate route to market (inc. procurement strategy).
The Council has published a marketing pack alongside this Notice which provides an overview of the opportunity and is now seeking responses to a number of questions including confirmed expressions of interest.
We welcome expressions of interest from potential operators, from:
• Theatre management and other similar arts and entertainment organisations.
• Charitable or art trusts
• Commercial venue operators
• Consortiums or partnerships including Community Interest Companies (CIC).
The Council's expectation is that this opportunity will suit sector specialists with the capability of self-operating all required elements of the service (e.g. venue programming, ticketing, event promotion and management, hospitality, backstage and technical and facilities management).
The Council anticipate an estimated minimum of 10 years for the Harlequin Theatre and potentially minimum of 5 years for Unit 5.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 15 January 2026 to 14 January 2036
- Possible extension to 14 January 2041
- 15 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 92100000 - Motion picture and video services
- 92300000 - Entertainment services
Contract locations
- UKJ26 - East Surrey
Engagement
Engagement deadline
1 September 2025
Engagement process description
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is currently seeking expressions of interest from organisations with an interest in the running of potentially two key cultural venues in Redhill, Surrey.
Deadline for pre-market engagement responses is by 12:00 Noon on 1st September 2025.
Please use the following link to express your interest and provide your completed response:
https://www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/arts-expressions-of-interest
Interested parties who complete an expression of interest form will also be able to complete a request for a site visit during August 2025.
All communication, queries and responses must be via Harlequin@reigate-banstead.gov.uk. The Council will not respond to direct emails/phone calls/any other form of communication concerning this Harlequin Theatre and Unit 5 Market Engagement.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Contracting authority
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYPR-2456-VBGR
Town Hall, Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ26 - East Surrey
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government