PIN Lochshore Park Cafe

Description

North Ayrshire Council (“NAC”) are seeking a caterer to operate the café within the Lochshore Park Hub. The café has been operation since October 2022 delivered by NAC and we now seek a delivery partner to run this as a commercial operation offering a high quality café. If it is appropriate to seek competitive bids, it is anticipated a Tender will be advertised on Public Contracts Scotland around January 2025 with the procurement exercise being carried out via Public Contract Scotland-Tender. The Café currently operates daily from 9.30am – 3.30pm and is used by local people, dogs walkers and visitors. There is potential to increase the opening times to also cater for the requirements of these customers and the Garnock Valley Rugby Club. We would welcome proposals which set out operating hours to meet the growing demand. The anticipated start date is April 2025 until March 2027 with the option to extend by up to 24 months. To determine the level of interest, and gather information, NAC welcomes expressions of interest from suppliers prior to the Tender being advertised. Expressions of interest can be made by completing the questionnaire attached and returning to pamelaorton@north-ayrshire.gov.uk before close of business on Friday 29th November 2024. A document has been attached with background and further information containing further details around the Lochshore cafe and park facilities, inventory, delivery models, Community Wealth Building and additional informational that may be of relevance to those parties interested. Lot 1: As previously agreed by NAC’s Cabinet, once this site was established we would seek alternative delivery models for the café provision. We are now taking this step to explore alternative delivery models, and we are seeking notes of interest for this site as well as ideas on the delivery model. Our preferred model is a Partnership Agreement with North Ayrshire Council’s Employability & Skills Service. The Partnership Agreement would be subject to discussion/agreement with the preferred caterer and delivery partner and would set out the terms and conditions of the Partnership Agreement. North Ayrshire Council would retain control of the building, ensuring general maintenance and repairs were complete and the caterer would operate the café in accordance with legislation and the terms of the Agreement. An operating fee would be agreed and paid to North Ayrshire Council for the use of the kitchen, and café seating area and to contribute towards the running costs of the areas within scope of the agreement. As part of your response, we invite proposals from interested parties as to what this fee would be. The caterer would manage all aspects of the kitchen and café, within the agreed opening hours. There may be opportunities outside of the specified opening hours to cater for functions and events to maximise income generation. Any licences for alcohol would be required. NAC will provide the kitchen equipment, as detailed, and seating. Any additional equipment, or furniture would be supplied and maintained by the provider at their own cost. The Partnership Agreement (or other model) would be valid for 24 months with potential to extend for an additional 24 months. This would likely have a review of the operating fee after a period of 12 months to ensure this model continues to be viable. Failure to comply with the Partnership Agreement or legislation would result in termination of the Agreement. As stated, we are open to other models of delivery being proposed to enable further discussion and to ensure the long-term viability of the site. The facility is currently operated by North Ayrshire Council’s Facilities Management Service who would work with the caterer to ensure a smooth transition to a new service without interruption to the current opening times is achieved.