Mill Hall Arts & Events Centre Operator
A Prior Information Notice
by ROCHFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL
- Source
- Find a Tender
- Type
- Contract (Services)
- Duration
- 15 year
- Value
- £5M
- Sector
- MISCELLANEOUS
- Published
- 03 Mar 2026
- Delivery
- 01 Sep 2026 to 31 Aug 2041
- Deadline
- 24 Apr 2026 22:59
Related Terms
Location
1 buyer
- Rochford District Council Rochford
Description
Rochford District Council intends to procure a suitably experienced and innovative Operator to manage, maintain, and deliver a high‑quality, commercially sustainable arts and events programme at The Mill Arts & Events Centre, Rayleigh, Essex. The contract will be a 15‑year concessions-led Leasehold and Management Agreement, with an option to mutually agree to extend for a further 5 years (15 + 5). The appointed Operator will assume responsibility for programming, day‑to‑day operations, maintenance, customer experience, community access, and financial sustainability of the venue. Full details of the service requirements will be provided within the forthcoming Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation. A site visit day will be held to allow prospective bidders to familiarise themselves with the venue's facilities, layout, and operational environment. Site Visit Details Date: Monday 16 March 2026 Time: 13:00 - 16:00 (1pm - 4pm) Location: The Mill Arts & Events Centre, Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh, SS6 7ED Attendance is strongly encouraged for any supplier intending to submit a compliant bid. Details on how to register for the site visit will be included in the ITT.
Renewal Options
The contract will be awarded for an initial term as specified within the notice, with the option for the Buyer to mutually agree to extend the agreement for one further period of up to five years. This optional extension may be exercised where it is necessary to ensure continuity of service, maintain value for money, support ongoing operational requirements, or allow adequate time for a subsequent re‑procurement. The extension provision is included to provide flexibility should circumstances arise in which extending the contract is in the best interests of the organisation and its stakeholders.
Award Criteria
| Commercial | This criterion will assess the overall commercial offer submitted by bidders, including total contract price and any ongoing costs. Evaluation will focus on value for money, affordability, and the robustness of the pricing model. |
| Technical | This criterion will assess the bidder's ability to deliver a high‑quality, reliable and compliant service that meets all requirements set out in the specification. Evaluation will consider the robustness of the bidder's proposed methodology, their understanding of the scope, and the effectiveness of their delivery model. Bidders must clearly demonstrate how they will ensure service continuity, manage risks, monitor performance, and achieve the required outcomes throughout the contract duration. The assessment will also examine the bidder's resourcing proposals, including the skills, experience and capacity of key personnel, as well as the governance arrangements in place to oversee delivery. Bidders should outline their approach to continuous improvement, innovation, stakeholder engagement, and responsiveness to evolving needs over the life of the contract. Where applicable, this criterion will also evaluate the bidder's commitment to social value, environmental sustainability, and alignment with relevant organisational policies. Evidence‑based responses are expected, supported by examples of previous delivery, quality assurance processes, and measurable indicators demonstrating the bidder's capability to deliver the contract to a high standard. |
CPV Codes
- 92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
Indicators
- Renewals are available.
Other Information
** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. **
Reference
- ocds-h6vhtk-05dc68
- FTS 018891-2026