Mill Hall Arts & Events Centre Operator
A Tender Notice
by ROCHFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL
- Source
- Find a Tender
- Type
- Contract (Services)
- Duration
- 15 year
- Value
- £5M
- Sector
- MISCELLANEOUS
- Published
- 10 Mar 2026
- Delivery
- 01 Sep 2026 to 31 Aug 2041
- Deadline
- 24 Apr 2026 11:00
Related Terms
Location
1 buyer
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.
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
| 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. |
| Commercial | This criterion will assess the completeness and credibility of each bidder's overall commercial offer, including the total contract price, all ongoing costs, and the structure of the proposed pricing model. Evaluation will consider value for money, long‑term affordability, and the financial viability of the solution. Assessors will examine how well the pricing model aligns with the bidder's business plan, including underlying assumptions, scalability, cost drivers, and any risks or dependencies that may impact cost over the contract term. The robustness, transparency, and sustainability of the pricing approach will be key factors in determining the strength of the commercial offer. |
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 021315-2026