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Expressions of interest for forming and entering into a Joint Venture to deliver a profitable Café and Catering Operation within the Town Hall

Lowestoft Town Council · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 1 Oct 2026, 10:31.

Opportunity overview

The renovation of Lowestoft Town Hall is due for completion early 2027 and will generate a really exciting opportunity for an innovative industry professional to provide catering within the building by means of a daily opening café / coffee shop and provision of catering via an event space which will include Weddings / Private Parties and Corporate Functions on an ad hoc basis. This newly renovated building is expected to make a significant impact upon the economic regeneration of the area and will also be the new home for The Registrar's Office and Lowestoft Town Council with an anticipated first year public footfall of circa 100,000. Specification - Initial Expressions of Interest should contain the following information and be submitted on no more than 4 sides of A4: a : Summary of existing business interests or experience. b : Evidence of delivering similar catering contracts with references from recent clients and or case studies demonstrating service quality and reliability. c: Evidence of commitment to provide quality exciting and innovative menu options with a commitment to showcasing local ingredients where possible. d : Ideas on how the Town Hall offer could be differentiated from the offer already. available on the High Street allowing the business to thrive alongside those already in situ. If invited to submit a formal application following expression of interest further, more detailed, information will be required in respect of the above as well as additional information which will include but not be limited to: 1 : A documented Health and Safety Policy plus current Food Hygiene rating from the Food Standards Agency. 2: Risk Assessments for food preparation, storage and service. 3: Evidence of a general commitment to sustainable practices e.g. in relation to reduction of food waste. 4: Ability to demonstrate financial stability and financial controls when operating a business. 5: Evidence of ability to recruit and train qualified chefs and catering staff. 3. Period A contract commencing no earlier than December 2026 with Joint Venture terms tbc. Notes Within your documentation, please provide a copy of your company insurance policy. Expressions of interest will be assessed in terms of business experience and stability, a commitment to quality provision of food and service, the ability to be flexible as the business grows and the ability to work in partnership with the Town Hall for the benefit of its visitors creating a first class truly memorable experience. It is prohibited for prospective contractors/ business partners to contact Lowestoft Town Councillors or staff to encourage or support their interest outside of the prescribed process outlined below.

Classification

  • CPV55300000 — Restaurant and food-serving services
  • CPV55400000 — Beverage-serving services
  • CPV55500000 — Canteen and catering services

Lots

  • Lot 1Value not stated

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
ocds-h6vhtk-06a592
Main Procurement Category
services
Above Threshold
No
Status
planning

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Has Renewal
Yes
Status
planning

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Contract period

Starts
31 Dec 2026, 00:00
Ends
1 Jan 2031, 23:59
Max Extent Date
1 Jan 2036, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
55300000
Description
Restaurant and food-serving services
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
55400000
Description
Beverage-serving services
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
55500000
Description
Canteen and catering services

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKH
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Planning and budget

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Description
The expressions of interest process will open on 27th May 2026 and run until noon on 12th June 2026. The decision process and key dates will then be as follows: • All expressions of interest will be opened and reviewed following the closing date noon on June 12th 2026. • We may contact you at this point if we have any queries about your interest or require any clarification. • We will respond to everyone who submitted a valid expression to notify you if a full and more detailed proposal to enter a Joint Venture is required by 30th June 2026 Advertising for expressions of interests, does not commit the Town Council to proceed with any expression received. Please return all expressions of interest via email to townhallmanager@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk addressed to the Town Hall Manager no later than noon 12th June 2026. Contact details Francis Guildea, Town Hall Manager Lowestoft Town Council, Hamilton House, Battery Green Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 1DE 0330 053 6019 townhallmanager@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk www.lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk
Due
12 Jun 2026, 23:59
Status
scheduled

Documents

Entry 1
Id
049456-2026
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Published
27 May 2026, 10:39
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
Lowestoft Town Council
Id
GB-PPON-PLRB-8148-CZHY

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PLRB-8148-CZHY

Address

Street Address
First Floor, Hamilton House, Battery Green Road
Locality
Lowestoft
Postal Code
NR32 1DE
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKH14

Contact

Name
Francis Guildea

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - sub-central government

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Lowestoft · UKH14 · NR32 1DE · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKH · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. 049456-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·