---
title: "Mill Hall Arts & Events Centre Operator"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05dc68"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05dc68"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05dc68.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05dc68.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "ROCHFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL"
published: "2026-05-21"
---

# Mill Hall Arts & Events Centre Operator

Buyer: ROCHFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05dc68

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05dc68.json)

## Summary

This procurement process, initiated by Rochford District Council in collaboration with Essex County Council, aims to appoint an operator for the Mill Hall Arts & Events Centre in Rayleigh, Essex. The procurement, classified under the industry categories of recreational, cultural and sporting services, as well as other community, social, and personal services, began in a planning stage and was later moved to a tender process. Unfortunately, the process was cancelled as no tenders were received, leading to the closure without an award. The tender sought a 15-year contract, extendable by five years, beginning in September 2026, with an estimated value of £6 million gross (£5 million net) under an open procedure. The planned timeline included various key dates such as the submission deadline on 24 April 2026 and the award period expected to conclude by 29 June 2026.

This tender presented a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in event management and community services, particularly those with experience in arts and cultural programmes, to expand their portfolios and demonstrate their capabilities in delivering a high-quality, sustainable operations. Suitable bidders would need to show innovation in managing customer experiences, community access, and financial robustness, with potential benefits for SMEs. While the opportunity for this particular contract has concluded, similar future prospects could appeal to businesses focused on enhancing community engagement and sustainable service delivery, thus supporting long-term growth and exposure to new ventures within the Essex region.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047047-2026 |
| Notice type | UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 21 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 24 Apr 2026 |
| Future notice date | 9 Mar 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2041 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £5,000,000 |
| Lots value | £5,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Cancelled |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | ROCHFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL |
| Additional buyers | ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL; Missing |
| Locality | 8 ROCHE CLOSE |
| Post town | Southend-on-Sea |
| Postcode | SS4 1PX |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH3 Essex |
| ITL 3 | TLH36 Heart of Essex |
| Local authority | Chelmsford |
| Electoral ward | Moulsham and Central |
| Westminster constituency | Chelmsford |
| Delivery location | TLH36 Heart of Essex |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services
- 98 - Other community, social and personal services

### Codes

- 92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

## Release History

- 21 May 2026 at 11:49 - TenderCancellation - UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047047-2026
- 10 Mar 2026 at 12:59 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021315-2026
- 3 Mar 2026 at 12:22 - Planning - UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018891-2026
- 7 Nov 2025 at 10:03 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071888-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047047-2026
  21st May 2026 - Procurement termination notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021315-2026
  10th March 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018891-2026
  3rd March 2026 - Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071888-2025
  7th November 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=b56557b2-d617-f111-813c-005056b64545

## Notice URLs

- https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=01e94565-09bb-f011-813a-005056b64545
- https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=b56557b2-d617-f111-813c-005056b64545Pleaseusethelinkprovided.Itisfreetoregisterforandbidonthisrequirement.Onlyelectronicsubmissionswillbeaccepted.AnyclarificationsmustbesubmittedviathemessagingfunctiononProContract.IfyouarehavingissuesregisteringwithProContractpleasecontacttheirsupportdesk.
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05dc68. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05dc68.json.