Planning

HBC CN Leisure Management Services (ESPH749)

HASTINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

24 Sep 2025 at 13:35

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Hastings Borough Council is at the planning stage of a procurement process for a new Leisure Facilities Operator, focusing on services within the recreational, cultural, and sporting categories. The process is currently in the preliminary market engagement phase, where the council seeks insights from experienced leisure operators and service providers to shape the upcoming procurement opportunity. The procurement is slated to formally commence in December 2025, following the completion of this market engagement exercise, which closes on 9th October 2025. The proposed contract will have a start date of 1st April 2027 and will last up to fifteen years, covering facilities located in Hastings, East Sussex. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their questionnaires by the stated deadline to potentially influence the specifics of the formal tender process.

This opportunity represents a significant prospect for businesses specialising in leisure management services, especially those capable of innovative and sustainable service delivery. SMEs with expertise in managing public leisure facilities could particularly benefit, given the project's specific emphasis on engaging experienced operators for input and the suitability for smaller businesses indicated in the procurement's documentation. With the potential for long-term contractual engagements and the scope to suggest innovative arrangements through variant bids, participating in this procurement process offers a strategic pathway for businesses looking to expand their footprint in the public sector leisure industry.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

HBC CN Leisure Management Services (ESPH749)

Notice Description

Hastings Borough Council is commencing a procurement process for a new Leisure Facilities Operator. The Council has two leisure centres within its portfolio and the contract is expiring 31 March 2027. The centres are located in Hastings in East Sussex. It is proposed that the contract will be for a maximum term of fifteen years, until 31 March 2042. The contract start date is 1 April 2027. The Council are at an early stage in development of its proposals for the Leisure Management Contract and seeks input from the market as to what might be the most advantageous way of packaging and scoping this future procurement opportunity. Prior to undertaking the formal procurement process, which is currently targeted for commencement in December 2025, the Council is seeking to undertake a preliminary market engagement exercise to review in summary: i. Delivery of further external activities ii. Contract length iii. Views on procurement route iv. Potential risk allocation v. Potential investment schemes and funding options vi. Views on Agency Model and how this might be explored through the tender process vii. Views on potential variant bids The Council wishes to engage with experienced leisure facility operators and service providers to inform the upcoming procurement process. The Council wishes to understand the current issues and opportunities facing the market in the delivery of these services. The Council has issued a questionnaire for interested operators to complete and is available at the Council procurement portal here: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/esph/aspx/Home The deadline for submitting preliminary market engagement questionnaires is Friday 9th October 2025.

Planning Information

The Council are at an early stage in development of its proposals for the Leisure Management Contract and seeks input from the market as to what might be the most advantageous way of packaging and scoping this future procurement opportunity. Prior to undertaking the formal procurement process, which is currently targeted for commencement in December 2025, the Council is seeking to undertake a preliminary market engagement exercise to review in summary: i. Delivery of further external activities ii. Contract length iii. Views on procurement route iv. Potential risk allocation v. Potential investment schemes and funding options vi. Views on Agency Model and how this might be explored through the tender process vii. Views on potential variant bids The Council wishes to engage with experienced leisure facility operators and service providers to inform the upcoming procurement process. The Council wishes to understand the current issues and opportunities facing the market in the delivery of these services. The Council has issued a questionnaire for interested operators to complete and is available at the Council procurement portal here: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/esph/aspx/Home The deadline for submitting preliminary market engagement questionnaires is Friday 9th October 2025.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a12f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059305-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2042 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HASTINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@hastings.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
HASTINGS
Postcode
TN34 3UY
Post Town
Tonbridge
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ22 East Sussex CC
Delivery Location
TLJ22 East Sussex CC
Local Authority
Hastings
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Hastings and Rye

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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