Tender Summary

Delivery and Management of a Christmas Ice Rink at Cheltenham Imperial Gardens

Buying Organisation

Cheltenham Borough Council

Contract Value

£840,000

Suitable for SMEs

Yes

Suitable for VCSEs

Yes

Tender Description

As part of the town's response and economic recovery to the Covid-19 pandemic, following Cabinet approval in September 2021, the Authority took on and led the delivery of Cheltenham's Christmas ice rink for the 21/22 Christmas season. The 500 m2 undercover rink, which was located in Imperial Gardens, ran for 45 days from 18th November 2021 to 2nd January 2022.
It welcomed a total of 43,563 skaters, making a significant contribution to Cheltenham's festive offering and providing a much needed boost to town centre footfall and trading after such a challenging period. Footfall exceeded even pre-pandemic levels, retailers reported record takings and the car parks were the busiest they have been for two years. These were all key outputs monitored and reported against to determine the overall success of the event.
It is anticipated that a 2023 ice rink will be operated in a similar fashion. The Authority will retain all revenue from ticket sales, sponsorship and ancillary streams and pay the Supplier for the Services. The Authority would work closely with the successful Tenderer and other partners to deliver a commercially successful event for all parties and an attractive and coherent Christmas in Cheltenham experience, alongside activities organised by third parties.
Cheltenham has a portfolio of Christmas events and the successful Tenderer will (where necessary) collaborate with other event operators within the town under the management of the Authority's appointed event manager but the ice rink is a defined event in its own right, and the successful Tenderer will be responsible for the event site as defined by the contract as a standalone event.
The Supplier shall provide a high-quality ice rink. As such, the Supplier shall ensure:
o 7 days a week operation, including bank holidays (excluding Christmas Day);
o orientation towards a number of audiences including young adults, families and community audiences and encourages repeat visitors;
o provision for accessible skate sessions to include wheelchairs and quiet sessions;
o attractive decoration and an 'instagrammable' experience; and
o an area for a food and beverage concession which will be subject to a separate tender

Tender categories (products & services required)

Recreational, cultural and sporting services (CPV 92000000)
Event services (CPV 79952000)
Provision of services to the community (CPV 75200000)
Cultural event organisation services (CPV 79952100)

Region

United Kingdom (UK)

Buyer Information