Planning

Cafe Operation: Earlestown Town Hall

ST HELENS COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

06 Mar 2026 at 09:53

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

St Helens Council is undertaking a planning process for the procurement of a cafe operation within Earlestown Town Hall, located in St Helens, United Kingdom. This initiative falls under the public authority category of sub-central government, focusing on service industry operations specifically within restaurant and food-serving services. The procurement stage is currently in the planning phase, with a soft market testing scheduled until 20th March 2026. Interested suppliers should register their interest via The Chest and submit a questionnaire by the stipulated deadline to engage further with the council concerning this opportunity.

This tender presents an enticing opportunity for businesses in the food and catering industry, especially those experienced in operating cafes or catering services. The newly refurbished space within the Grade II listed Earlestown Town Hall, enriched by a community-focused renovation, offers an attractive venue for providers aiming to expand their market presence or diversify their operations. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged to participate, with the procurement structured to accommodate a concession regime over a contract period beginning in August 2026. This opening allows businesses to leverage the vibrant setting, potentially serving locals, visitors, and nearby workers, creating a promising avenue for business growth and community engagement.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Cafe Operation: Earlestown Town Hall

Notice Description

St Helens Borough Council is undertaking soft market testing to understand market interest in operating a new cafe facility within the recently refurbished Earlestown Town Hall. As part of the wider regeneration programme for Earlestown, the Grade II listed Town Hall has undergone extensive restoration and refurbishment to bring this landmark building back into civic, cultural, and community use. A new extension has been constructed to the north of the Town Hall to accommodate the cafe. This purpose-built space has been designed to act as an inviting, vibrant focal point within the building, offering a high-quality and welcoming environment for residents, visitors, families, and those working locally. The cafe will provide approximately 40 internal covers within a seating area of 36.15m2, with potential for additional outdoor seating within the Town Hall Courtyard. We would like to take the opportunity to do some 'soft market testing', to determine current interest levels in the market. THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION This Soft Market Test is intended to allow interested organisations with relevant experience to outline their views and provide information with no commitment to themselves or the Council.

Planning Information

The Soft Market Test document will be issued via The Chest (project ID DN809048). Further details of the requirements can be found in the documents attached to the opportunity. To register interest in the opportunity and respond, suppliers will need to register on The Chest https://www.the-chest.org.uk/ Interested suppliers are required to complete the company information form and a short questionnaire (Appendix 1). Suppliers who complete and return the questionnaire may be invited to meet with Council representatives to discuss its requirements. The questionnaire should be returned via The Chest - https://www.the-chest.org.uk/ by Friday 20th March 2026 12pm. If Suppliers have any questions about this soft market test, such questions should be submitted to the Council using the 'Question and Answer' facility within the opportunity advertised on The Chest. A copy of the question and a copy of the written reply may be circulated to all Suppliers, with anonymity of the Supplier preserved. Suppliers must not raise questions through any other channels, including emails direct to the Council or to STAR Procurement. No questions will be responded to, other than those raised through The Chest as described above. We encourage your participation in this soft market testing exercise, but must emphasise that your involvement in this exercise will not carry any commercial advantage in any ensuing procurement process. No information provided in response to this soft market testing exercise will be used in any evaluation of any subsequent response to a procurement exercise.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0663be
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020217-2026
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

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

CPV Codes

55300000 - Restaurant and food-serving services

55500000 - Canteen and catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
20 Mar 20265 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Aug 2026 - 2 Aug 2028 2-3 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
ST HELENS 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
ST HELENS
Postcode
WA10 1HP
Post Town
Warrington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD71 East Merseyside
Delivery Location
TLD7 Merseyside
Local Authority
St. Helens
Electoral Ward
St Helens Town Centre
Westminster Constituency
St Helens South and Whiston

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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