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Ashford Arts Centre Operator

Active

ASH/25/358International

Response Deadline01/08/2027, 10:00:00 AM UTC

Contract Overview

Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.

AI Contract Overview

Ashford Borough Council is seeking a skilled long-term partner to manage and operate the Ashford Arts Centre (AAC) through a concession arrangement. The AAC is a new hybrid commercial and community venue being developed from the former Ashford Odeon cinema building in Ashford town centre. The operator will be responsible for delivering a diverse programme including theatre, live performances, comedy, family shows, and community use, as well as managing a hospitality and events offering. The project is currently at RIBA Stage 3, meaning the final scope is subject to confirmation as the design evolves. The contract is estimated to run for 15 years from April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2042. While the estimated cumulative operator income over a 25-year term is listed at 12,600,000 GBP excluding VAT, this figure is provided for scale and is not a guarantee of income; bidders must develop their own financial assumptions. The procurement is particularly suited for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs). The award will be based on the Most Advantageous Tender, evaluated on quality (60%), commercial offer (25%), business case (10%), and legal factors (5%). The procurement process follows a competitive flexible procedure involving a Pre-Selection Questionnaire and an Initial Tender, with potential subsequent negotiation and final tender stages. All responses must be submitted via the Kent Business Portal by the deadline of January 8, 2027, at 10:00 am.

General Info

Ashford Borough Council seeks a long-term operator for the Ashford Arts Centre.

Agency

Ashford Borough Council

NAICS

711310 - Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities

Place of Performance

GBR

Set-Aside

NONE

Documents

Ashford Arts Centre Operator Tender Notice

rfp

High

AI Contract Breakdown

Uniform Contract Format

Timeline

PhaseSolicitation

PostedOct 28

Solicitation

Response DeadlineJan 8

Submission deadline

Response Deadline

01/08/2027, 10:00:00 AM UTCin 2 months

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Organization & Contact Information

AgencyAshford Borough Council

Contacts1 person available

OfficeN/A

Organization / AgencyAshford Borough Council

Office AddressN/A

Contacts

Stephanie Leonard

contact@example.gov

Full Description

The Council seeks a suitably skilled, long-term partner to manage and operate Ashford Arts Centre (AAC) via a concession arrangement. AAC is a new community and commercial arts centre being delivered by the Council through the redevelopment of the former Ashford Odeon cinema building, in Ashford town centre. The design for AAC is currently at RIBA Stage 3, and details in respect of the scope of the AAC in the suite of procurement documents should be treated as subject to confirmation as the design develops. AAC's programme is intended to include theatre, live performance, comedy, family shows and community use, alongside a hospitality and events offer, ensuring there is something to suit a broad range of audiences within a scale appropriate to Ashford. The estimated value stated in this notice is based on detailed financial modelling completed by Blue Horizon Ventures on behalf of the Council. The model draws on the RIBA Stage 3 design for AAC, benchmark data from comparable venues, and projected commercial and community activity across the venue’s spaces, reflecting its intended role as a hybrid commercial and community performance venue. The figure represents cumulative operator income over the 25 year contract term, excluding VAT and public subsidy. It is shared to give Tenderers an indication of scale so that they can plan their interest and resources with confidence. It is not a forecast or a guarantee of future income, and it is not intended to be used as the basis for Tenderers’ own financial modelling. Tenderers are required to develop their own assumptions, drawing on their operating experience and the information in the tender pack. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/tenders/UK-UK-Ashford:-Arts-facility-operation-services./P5BBRU393F To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/respond/P5BBRU393F