Tender

Mill Hall Arts & Events Centre Operator

ROCHFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

10 Mar 2026 at 12:59

Planning

03 Mar 2026 at 12:22

Planning

07 Nov 2025 at 10:03

Summary of the contracting process

Rochford District Council, in collaboration with Essex County Council as the procuring entity, is seeking to appoint an operator for the Mill Hall Arts & Events Centre located in Rayleigh, Essex. This tender falls under the "Recreational, cultural and sporting services" industry category. The procurement process is currently at the tender stage, with an open procedure used to encourage competitive bidding. The contract involves a 15-year concessions-led leasehold and management agreement, with an option to extend for another five years. Interested parties must submit their bids by 24th April 2026, and the contract is set to commence on 1st September 2026. A site visit is scheduled for 16th March 2026, and prospective bidders are encouraged to attend.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in arts and events management, particularly those with innovative approaches and a track record of sustainable operations. The contract's substantial £6 million gross value provides an attractive prospect for growth, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Businesses that can demonstrate excellence in customer experience, venue management, and financial sustainability will be well-suited to compete. The evaluation will consider both quality and commercial aspects, with a 60% weight on technical quality and a 40% weight on commercial viability. The contract's focus on social value and sustainability adds an additional opportunity for businesses aligned with these principles to highlight their strengths.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Mill Hall Arts & Events Centre Operator

Notice Description

Rochford District Council intends to procure a suitably experienced and innovative Operator to manage, maintain, and deliver a high-quality, commercially sustainable arts and events programme at The Mill Arts & Events Centre, Rayleigh, Essex. The contract will be a 15-year concessions-led Leasehold and Management Agreement, with an option to mutually agree to extend for a further 5 years (15 + 5). The appointed Operator will assume responsibility for programming, day-to-day operations, maintenance, customer experience, community access, and financial sustainability of the venue.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The contract will be awarded for an initial term as specified within the notice, with the option for the Buyer to mutually agree to extend the agreement for one further period of up to five years. This optional extension may be exercised where it is necessary to ensure continuity of service, maintain value for money, support ongoing operational requirements, or allow adequate time for a subsequent re-procurement. The extension provision is included to provide flexibility should circumstances arise in which extending the contract is in the best interests of the organisation and its stakeholders.

Planning Information

Essex County Council, through the Essex Procurement Partnership, is carrying out Preliminary Market Engagement on behalf of Rochford District Council for the upcoming procurement of its Mill Hall Arts and Events Centre Operator tender. The Council is looking to appoint a supplier to manage and operate the Mill Arts and Events Centre. The contract will be formed of leasehold and management contract thereby transferring the operation of the Mill and all its activities to an external party. The Council will be seeking a long-term commitment with an experienced company, organisation or trust that combines prudent business planning as well as artistic vision and innovation. Your feedback will be invaluable in helping us ensure the contract is structured in a way that delivers value for money, promotes sustainability, and supports innovation. To take part in this event please follow this link: https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=01e94565-09bb-f011-813a-005056b64545 Please provide responses where applicable. You are not required to answer every question - focus on areas relevant to your expertise or service offering.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05dc68
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021315-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
24 Apr 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
9 Mar 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2041 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ROCHFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL
Additional Buyers

ESSEX COUNTY 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
8 ROCHE CLOSE
Postcode
SS4 1PX
Post Town
Southend-on-Sea
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLH36 Heart of Essex

Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05dc68-2026-03-10T12:59:44Z",
    "date": "2026-03-10T12:59:44Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05dc68",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PMRR-6539-DYRW",
            "name": "Rochford District Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PMRR-6539-DYRW"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "8 Roche Close",
                "locality": "8 Roche Close",
                "postalCode": "SS4 1PX",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKH37"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "andrew.clark@rochford.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PWVM-4844-NRQH",
            "name": "Essex County Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PWVM-4844-NRQH"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "County Hall, Market Road",
                "locality": "Chelmsford",
                "postalCode": "CM1 1QH",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKH36"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "natalie.pier@essex.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "procuringEntity",
                "processContactPoint"
            ],
            "roleDetails": "Procuring on behalf of Rochford District Council"
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PMRR-6539-DYRW",
        "name": "Rochford District Council"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "Essex County Council, through the Essex Procurement Partnership, is carrying out Preliminary Market Engagement on behalf of Rochford District Council for the upcoming procurement of its Mill Hall Arts and Events Centre Operator tender. The Council is looking to appoint a supplier to manage and operate the Mill Arts and Events Centre. The contract will be formed of leasehold and management contract thereby transferring the operation of the Mill and all its activities to an external party. The Council will be seeking a long-term commitment with an experienced company, organisation or trust that combines prudent business planning as well as artistic vision and innovation. Your feedback will be invaluable in helping us ensure the contract is structured in a way that delivers value for money, promotes sustainability, and supports innovation. To take part in this event please follow this link: https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=01e94565-09bb-f011-813a-005056b64545 Please provide responses where applicable. You are not required to answer every question - focus on areas relevant to your expertise or service offering.",
                "dueDate": "2025-12-01T23:59:59Z",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "071888-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071888-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-11-07T10:03:17Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "018891-2026",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK3",
                "description": "Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018891-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-03T12:22:33Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "EPP0308",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Mill Hall Arts & Events Centre Operator",
        "description": "Rochford District Council intends to procure a suitably experienced and innovative Operator to manage, maintain, and deliver a high-quality, commercially sustainable arts and events programme at The Mill Arts & Events Centre, Rayleigh, Essex. The contract will be a 15-year concessions-led Leasehold and Management Agreement, with an option to mutually agree to extend for a further 5 years (15 + 5). The appointed Operator will assume responsibility for programming, day-to-day operations, maintenance, customer experience, community access, and financial sustainability of the venue.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "92000000",
                        "description": "Recreational, cultural and sporting services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "98000000",
                        "description": "Other community, social and personal services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKH36",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH36",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH36",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 6000000,
            "amount": 5000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2041-08-31T23:59:59Z",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2046-08-31T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 6000000,
                    "amount": 5000000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Commercial",
                            "description": "This criterion will assess the overall commercial offer submitted by bidders, including total contract price and any ongoing costs. Evaluation will focus on value for money, affordability, and the robustness of the pricing model.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 40,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Technical",
                            "description": "This criterion will assess the bidder's ability to deliver a high-quality, reliable and compliant service that meets all requirements set out in the specification. Evaluation will consider the robustness of the bidder's proposed methodology, their understanding of the scope, and the effectiveness of their delivery model. Bidders must clearly demonstrate how they will ensure service continuity, manage risks, monitor performance, and achieve the required outcomes throughout the contract duration. The assessment will also examine the bidder's resourcing proposals, including the skills, experience and capacity of key personnel, as well as the governance arrangements in place to oversee delivery. Bidders should outline their approach to continuous improvement, innovation, stakeholder engagement, and responsiveness to evolving needs over the life of the contract. Where applicable, this criterion will also evaluate the bidder's commitment to social value, environmental sustainability, and alignment with relevant organisational policies. Evidence-based responses are expected, supported by examples of previous delivery, quality assurance processes, and measurable indicators demonstrating the bidder's capability to deliver the contract to a high standard.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 60,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Technical",
                            "description": "This criterion will assess the bidder's ability to deliver a high-quality, reliable and compliant service that meets all requirements set out in the specification. Evaluation will consider the robustness of the bidder's proposed methodology, their understanding of the scope, and the effectiveness of their delivery model. Bidders must clearly demonstrate how they will ensure service continuity, manage risks, monitor performance, and achieve the required outcomes throughout the contract duration. The assessment will also examine the bidder's resourcing proposals, including the skills, experience and capacity of key personnel, as well as the governance arrangements in place to oversee delivery. Bidders should outline their approach to continuous improvement, innovation, stakeholder engagement, and responsiveness to evolving needs over the life of the contract. Where applicable, this criterion will also evaluate the bidder's commitment to social value, environmental sustainability, and alignment with relevant organisational policies. Evidence-based responses are expected, supported by examples of previous delivery, quality assurance processes, and measurable indicators demonstrating the bidder's capability to deliver the contract to a high standard.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 60,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Commercial",
                            "description": "This criterion will assess the completeness and credibility of each bidder's overall commercial offer, including the total contract price, all ongoing costs, and the structure of the proposed pricing model. Evaluation will consider value for money, long-term affordability, and the financial viability of the solution. Assessors will examine how well the pricing model aligns with the bidder's business plan, including underlying assumptions, scalability, cost drivers, and any risks or dependencies that may impact cost over the contract term. The robustness, transparency, and sustainability of the pricing approach will be key factors in determining the strength of the commercial offer.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 40,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "The contract will be awarded for an initial term as specified within the notice, with the option for the Buyer to mutually agree to extend the agreement for one further period of up to five years. This optional extension may be exercised where it is necessary to ensure continuity of service, maintain value for money, support ongoing operational requirements, or allow adequate time for a subsequent re-procurement. The extension provision is included to provide flexibility should circumstances arise in which extending the contract is in the best interests of the organisation and its stakeholders."
                }
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-03-09T23:59:59Z"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "specialRegime": [
            "concession"
        ],
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-04-24T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-04-17T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-06-29T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=b56557b2-d617-f111-813c-005056b64545 Please use the link provided. It is free to register for and bid on this requirement. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Any clarifications must be submitted via the messaging function on Pro Contract. If you are having issues registering with Pro Contract please contact their support desk.",
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-1",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "url": "https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=b56557b2-d617-f111-813c-005056b64545"
            },
            {
                "id": "021315-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021315-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-10T12:59:44Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}