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Mersey Ferries Catering Concession Contract Lot 1B - Seacombe Ferry Terminal Cafe

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

Award

09 Mar 2026 at 13:02

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

09 Mar 2026 at 12:42

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

03 Dec 2025 at 10:49

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

27 Nov 2025 at 09:27

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

27 Nov 2025 at 09:23

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

22 Oct 2025 at 21:21

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has awarded a concession contract for catering services at two key locations related to the Mersey Ferries. The contract, titled "Mersey Ferries Catering Concession Contract Lot 1A - Onboard Cafe & Bar" and "Lot 1B - Seacombe Ferry Terminal Café," focuses on providing high-quality food and beverage services for ferry passengers at the Seacombe Terminal Café and onboard the Snowdrop and Royal Daffodil vessels. The procurements were conducted using an open competitive flexible procedure, and the contract started on 1st April 2026, with potential extensions up to 2031. The Mersey Ferries operations are pivotal to the cultural and tourism landscape of Liverpool and aim to offer diverse and engaging catering experiences to approximately 480,000 passengers annually.

These tenders present significant opportunities for businesses in the catering industry to expand their operations and engage with a diverse customer base. SMEs in particular, with a focus on hospitality and creative culinary offerings, are well-positioned to benefit from the visibility and footfall associated with serving such a dynamic and historically rich venue as the Mersey Ferries. Moreover, the contract terms encourage innovation and sustainability, which are attractive to businesses looking to highlight their unique offerings and commitment to quality service. With dedicated opportunities for onboard catering, shoreside operations, and event management, businesses can tap into expanding customer experiences and contribute to Liverpool's vibrant visitor economy.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Mersey Ferries Catering Concession Contract Lot 1B - Seacombe Ferry Terminal Cafe

Notice Description

1B This Lot is a concession contract. Management of the busy newly refurbished Seacombe Terminal cafe serving ferry customers, commuters, the local community and 100,000 annual visitors to the Eureka Science & Discovery Museum. Operators must create a welcoming and efficient cafe with strong customer service, varied menu range, family-friendly offers and a consistent experience throughout long operating hours using on-site kitchen facilities. The successful Supplier will pay all utilities and business rates.

Lot Information

On Board Cafe & Bar (Main Ferry Services)

An onboard cafe and bar operation on our ferries - serving hot drinks, snacks, light meals, and alcoholic beverages, for daytime cruises and our evening scheduled cruises covering both the Snowdrop (capacity for 350) passengers and the new vessel (with capacity for up to 480 passengers). Mersey Ferries currently operate 14 commuter services on weekday mornings, starting at 7:20 am from Seacombe and 11 commuter services on weekday evenings finishing at 6:40pm at Gerry Marsden. We do not operate the commuter service at weekends, bank holidays or during the Christmas holidays. There are 7 River Explorer Cruises scheduled daily and we operate 9 River Explorer Cruises on Bank Holidays (except Christmas) Mersey Ferries also currently operate a number of scheduled cruises that fall within this lot; the programme runs from April to October and is currently 8 Manchester Ship Canal (Premium) 34 Summer Evening Cruises, and 10 Liverpool Bay Cruises. Live entertainment as part of these cruise offers is provided by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. A comprehensive list of kitchen equipment is included in the appendices along with the vessel layout. Should, suppliers find that the provided equipment does not meet their requirements, negotiations regarding supplementation or exchange may be considered. Utilities are not applicable for this lot.

Renewal: A 2 year optional extension is available.

Seacombe Terminal Cafe (Shore-Based Operation)

A shore side cafe in the busy and newly refurbished Seacombe, Wirral terminal - with potential to serve both ferry passengers and local residents, commuters, and visitors. The cafe also serves as the main food and beverage offer for visitors of Eureka Science and Discovery Museum, attracting a footfall of PS100k per annum. Seacombe Terminal current operating times are Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm , weekend and bank holiday times vary on seasonality, but broadly 9:30am to 4:30pm during low season October to April and 9:30am to 6:30pm during the summer cruise season. Provision to extend these opening times can be discussed to support summer evening cruises. 24/7 access can be arranged if required for food preparation via separate access. Kitchen equipment provision for the Seacombe Cafe can be negotiated. Utilities for the Seacombe Cafe for 24/25; Electricity PS11k, Water PS1k and Gas PS3.5k for Kitchen use only. Please note that the occupier of the premises is liable for associated business rates, we recommend that suppliers male independent enquiry with Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and Wirral Council. How your Business Rates bill is calculated | wirral.gov.uk

Renewal: A 2 year optional extension is available.

On Board Events Management & Catering

A flexible, creative catering offer for our special pop-up cruises and events, private charter hires, and themed events - where food, drink and atmosphere help turn journeys into unforgettable experiences. Mersey Ferries are looking for a partner to help design event packages for private boat and VIP area reservations, with options tailored to client needs or tiered packages. This applies to both the heritage and new vessels. The Provider must hold all necessary licenses and permits to operate, including (where applicable): Food business registration, Alcohol license (Premises and Personal Licence Holder) Public Performance or Entertainment Licence (for music or events) Health & Safety certification. Utilities are not applicable for this lot.

Renewal: A 2 year optional extension is available.

Planning Information

There is no opt in process or any further action needed , other than registration on the tender portal at this stage. Once the tender is launched a notice will be put out for bidders to respond to. We are in the process of completing the ITT documentation and full tender pack and we are expecting to launch the tender on or before the 11th November. Bidders wishing to respond to this tender opportunity once it has launched. We would ask suppliers who are not registered with PROACTIS tender portal to visit below: https://procontract.due-north.com/SupplierRegistration/Register This will allow you to register for free for not just this future tender opportunity but other public sector tender opportunities. Once registered you will be able to when this tender launches, review the tender pack and respond and submit a bid.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d204
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020886-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

24 - Chemical products

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

24322500 - Alcohol

55300000 - Restaurant and food-serving services

55400000 - Beverage-serving services

55500000 - Canteen and catering services

55522000 - Catering services for transport enterprises

55523000 - Catering services for other enterprises or other institutions

79952000 - Event services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£6,720,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£6,720,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£2,840,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Mar 20265 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
11 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
9 Mar 20265 months ago
Contract Period
1 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Active, Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Additional Buyers

Merseytravel

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LIVERPOOL
Postcode
L3 1BP
Postcode Area
Liverpool
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD72 Liverpool
Delivery Location
TLD72 Liverpool
Local Authority
Liverpool
Electoral Ward
Waterfront South
Westminster Constituency
Liverpool Riverside

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CROSBY FRESH LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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