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Swale Leisure Centres Contract

Swale Borough Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

18 Jul 2025 at 09:49

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

28 May 2025 at 14:15

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Swale Borough Council, based in Sittingbourne, Kent, is overseeing a procurement process for the management and operation of its leisure facilities. The process, titled "Swale Leisure Centres Contract", involves management of Swale's two leisure complexes and possibly includes the Faversham Swimming Pool, with a total contract value of approximately £23.75 million. This selective procurement follows a competitive flexible procedure and is currently in the tender stage. Key dates to note are the Expression of Interest and Procurement Specific Questionnaire deadline on 18 August 2024, with the contract set to commence on 1 April 2027 and conclude on 31 March 2037, with the option for a five-year extension subject to Swale Borough Council's decision. The procurement focuses on recreational, cultural, and sporting services and requires electronic submission through Swale's e-tendering portal.

This tender represents a valuable business opportunity for companies specialising in leisure and recreation management. Bidders with experience in delivering high-quality leisure services, particularly those who can demonstrate technical ability and financial stability, could find this contract highly advantageous. There's a focus on enhancing existing facilities, as well as possible involvement in their redevelopment, making it appealing for businesses that can provide innovative management solutions and effectively partner in development projects. Moreover, the project offers businesses a chance to engage in long-term planning and investment, contributing to community well-being and promoting sustainable practices. Businesses that qualify as SMEs or are inclusive of VCSEs are expressly welcomed to express interest, aligning with Swale's commitment to social value and economic development within the community.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Swale Leisure Centres Contract

Notice Description

Swale Borough Council is inviting Expressions of Interest to tender for Leisure Service Provision in Swale, Kent. The contract will involve Management & Operation of the Swale Leisure Facilities for the contract term. The contract shall commence on 01/04/2027 and terminate on either 31/03/2037. The council may extend the opportunity for a further 5 years. The tenderer/s who submit/s the Most Advantageous Tender will be awarded the contract. Expressions of Interest and the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) document must be submitted / uploaded on the Council's e-tendering portal. The closing date for submission of Expressions of Interest and the closing date for the PSQ is 18 August 2024 at 12:00 noon. Swale Borough Council currently owns two wet and dry leisure facilities, Sheppey Leisure Complex, Sheerness (incorporating Sheppey Healthy Living Centre and Sheerness Swimming Pool) and Swallows Leisure Centre, Sittingbourne. There is planned major investment into the dryside facilities at Sheppey Leisure Complex in Sheerness which commenced in February 2025 and due for completion in June 2026. There are two lots, Lot 1 includes both facilities plus the addition of Faversham Swimming pool (indoor and outdoor pools) Lot 2 only includes Swallows and Sheppey Leisure Complex. We are looking for bidders to provide a tender return for both Lots and complete all three financial returns.

Lot Information

Sheppey, Swallows and Faversham

Lot 1 includes Sheppey Leisure Complex, Sheerness (incorporating Sheppey Healthy Living Centre and Sheerness Swimming Pool), Swallows Leisure Centre, Sittingbourne and Faversham Swimming pool (indoor and outdoor pools).

Options: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to directly award additional or repeat, goods, works or services in accordance with Schedule 5, paragraph 8 of the Act.

Renewal: The council may extend the contract by up to 5 years.

Swallows and Sheppey

Lot 2 only includes Swallows and Sheppey Leisure Complex.

Options: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to directly award additional or repeat, goods, works or services in accordance with Schedule 5, paragraph 8 of the Act.

Renewal: The council may extend the contract by up to 5 years.

Planning Information

Swale Borough Council (SBC) conducted a soft market testing exercise to explore potential management options for its leisure facilities from April 2027. We invited organisations to participate in this process. Feedback was sought on a number of points: 1. Would you be interested in tendering for the new Leisure Operating Contract at SBC? 2. Would the inclusion of Faversham Pools enhance the overall value of the contract? 3. Would you be interested in a contract of 10 years + up to a potential 5-year extension? If not, please state the duration that you feel would be appropriate and of interest to the market. 4. What is your view on further investment in the facilities? a. a contract comprising improved facilities decided by SBC, with the potential to have some input when the facility mix decision is taken; or, b. a contract with the opportunity to be a development partner and be involved in determining the facility mix for the sites; or Views in respect of any investment opportunities are also sought. 5. Please confirm the minimum contract period you would consider. 6. What are your views and experience on achieving net Carbon Zero in facilities? 7. SBC seeks your view regarding any transfer of risk, particularly in the aftermath of Covid19 and its operational impact on such matters as maintenance, lifecycle, utilities, National Insurance (NI), Real Living Wage etc 8. What is your view on Utility Benchmarking – does it need to be included in the contract? 9. One of the key user groups at Swallows Leisure Centre is a swimming club which currently delivers some of the swimming lessons offered up to Grade 8. In a similar vein , Faversham Pools also has a swimming club which is a key user and which delivers some swimming lessons. What impact, if any, would these have on the contract structure including pricing model and programme? 10. Car parking charges are currently refunded at Swallows and Sheppey. What is your perspective on the potential removal of parking refunds for facility users? How might car parking charges impact user behaviour, facility attendance, or overall financial performance? 11. Are there examples of best practice that could help ensure parking policies support both accessibility and revenue objectives? 12. The Procurement Act 2023 requires Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to be built into the contract. The following are the suggested KPIs, what is your view on these and would you suggest any amendments or additions? a. KPI 1 – Participation targets b. KPI 2 – Annual Quest accreditation c. KPI 3 – Annual Health and Well-being Development Plan targets d. KPI 4 – Energy consumption statistics e. KPI 5 – GP referral statistics f. KPI 6 – Holiday Play Scheme attendance g. KPI 7 – Encourage balanced programme of use h. KPI 8 – Breakdown of number of members for all membership types including concessionary use by user type i. KPI 7 – Social Value Reporting The engagement was advertised on the ProContract Portal from 02/01/2025 - 14/01/2025.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0527ff
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041183-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

CPV Codes

92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£23,750,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£23,750,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Jul 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2037 Over 5 years
Recurrence
2035-07-14

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Swale Borough Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SITTINGBOURNE, KENT
Postcode
ME10 3HT
Postcode Area
Rochester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ43 Kent Thames Gateway
Delivery Location
TLJ4 Kent
Local Authority
Swale
Electoral Ward
Roman
Westminster Constituency
Sittingbourne and Sheppey

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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