West Lancashire Borough Council: Provision of catering service

West Lancashire Borough Council are seeking a partner to undertake the operation and management of the café at the Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk.

The café is a unique facility within a contemporary art and craft gallery and will offer a great opportunity for the right partner to develop a small high quality-catering outlet. The gallery opened in 2001 and the Council has operated the café directly since 2004 building up a regular clientele. The café was extended and completely refurbished in 2008 and is fully equipped with high quality equipment which will remain in the ownership of the Council.

The café has established a reputation for high quality food produced using fresh ingredients and the Council is keen for the quality and ambience to remain in keeping with its gallery surroundings. For this reason the Council wish to retain control of menu content and wishes to be involved in the setting of prices.

The Council would also like to continue providing workplace experience for people with learning difficulties.

Given this criteria it is envisaged that the agreement with the successful partner will initially be for 5 years but with an option to cancel after 2.

The Council will be seeking a premium for this opportunity in order to cover service and maintenance costs for the facility and equipment, plus a percentage of profit once performance thresholds are reached. The level of amounts and thresholds will be negotiated and agreed with the successful partner.

Current staff will be transferred to the successful partner under TUPE arrangements.
Deadline for expressions of interest 15th September

Emma Davies
Partnership and Services Development Officer
West Lancashire Borough Council
52 Derby Street, Ormskirk
Lancashire, L39 2DF

Email: emma.davies@westlancs.gov.uk
Or write to the above address
www.westlancs.gov.uk