--- title: "Catering Concession Contract - Benmore Garden, Dunoon, Argyll and Bute" ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000831105" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000831105" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000831105.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000831105.json" source: "Public Contracts Scotland" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN EDINBURGH" published: "2026-05-14" --- # Catering Concession Contract - Benmore Garden, Dunoon, Argyll and Bute Buyer: ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN EDINBURGH Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000831105 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000831105) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000831105.json) ## Summary The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is in the planning stages of a catering concession contract for Benmore Botanic Garden located in Dunoon, Argyll and Bute. This procurement process revolves around the education industry category and is primarily concerned with services. The contract, titled "Catering Concession Contract - Benmore Garden," will commence on 1st March 2027 and run for three years, with potential extensions. Key dates include a requirement to respond to a Request for Information by 27th May 2026, as part of preparations for the forthcoming Invitation to Tender (ITT). Interested parties are encouraged to submit proposals that align with the strategic objectives and operational schedules of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, which serves as the central purchasing body. This tender creates a substantial opportunity for businesses involved in the catering and hospitality sector, particularly those experienced with visitor attraction environments. Operators with expertise in delivering high-quality café services or with the capability to manage a venue that caters to seasonal visitor fluctuations are well-suited for this opportunity. The contract offers a platform for operators to enhance their market presence through a robust partnership with a prominent public institution. With an annual visitor count averaging 36,250 and revenue opportunities through dynamic menu offerings and event catering, businesses that align operational goals with fair work practices, sustainability, and quality are in an optimal position to benefit from this contract. ## Notice This is a catering concession contract for Benmore Botanic Garden, Dunoon, Argyll and Bute. ### Lot Information Lot 1 RBGE is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced operator to deliver visitor cafe and other catering services at Benmore Botanic Garden. The contract will commence on 1 March 2027 and extends for a three year period with the option to extend by agreement for one year plus one further year. The contract is expected to be operated on the basis of a minimum annual payment with the option for an enhanced percentage concession. Visitor numbers to Benmore Garden - on average over the last 3 years 36,250 visitors per annum The average annual turnover for the last 4 years is GBP 177,000 net The cafe plays an important role in shaping the whole visitor experience and the operator will be required to work closely with RBGE teams to deliver excellent visitor standards. The cafe is situated inside the visitor centre within the retail area and comprises seating for 36, with additional external seating (both covered and open seating). The cafe is supported by a well-equipped kitchen area and small servery with refrigerated display and drinks making facilities. The full specification is still in development. However, the operator responsibilities will include: - Service delivery 7 days per week aligning with the visitor centre opening hours - Menu development and delivery to comprise as a minimum freshly made soup, sandwiches and salads, home baking, a children's food offer and good quality hot and cold drinks. RBGE requires approval to menus and pricing policy - Occasional events catering delivery and travel trade food offers - Staffing and day to day management of the facility and adherence to Fair Work First principles - Adherence to UK and Scottish food safety legislation including establishment of a HACCP plan - Adherence to UK and Scottish health and safety legislation and to local RBGE guidance and regulations - Financial and other reporting to RBGE in a format to be agreed - Operating the catering service in a way that aligns with RBGE sustainability objectives - Attending regular (seasonal) meetings with RBGE contract management - Provision of a discount structure for RBGE staff and members. Please assist RBGE creating a successful Invitation to Tender Document. Attached to this notice is a Request for Information document asking for your opinions on how to make this ITT attractive to the market. Please upload a response so that we can consider your views. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland | | Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555842 | | Notice type | PCS Notice - Website Prior Information Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 14 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 26 Jun 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN EDINBURGH | | Locality | EDINBURGH | | Post town | Edinburgh | | Postcode | EH3 5LR | | Country | Scotland | | ITL 1 | TLM Scotland | | ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland | | ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh | | Local authority | City of Edinburgh | | Electoral ward | Inverleith | | Westminster constituency | Edinburgh North and Leith | | Delivery location | TLM63 Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, Arran and Cumbrae, and Argyll and Bute | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services ### Codes - 55520000 - Catering services ## Release History - 14 May 2026 at 00:00 - Planning - PCS Notice - Website Prior Information Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555842 ## Documents - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAY555842&idx=1 14th May 2026 - Please respond to the RFI by 27th May - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555842 Catering Concession Contract - Benmore Garden, Dunoon, Argyll and Bute - This is a catering concession contract for Benmore Botanic Garden, Dunoon, Argyll and Bute. ## Notice URLs - http:// - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk - http://www.rbge.org.uk - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000831105 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=831105 ## 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-r6ebe6-0000831105. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000831105.json.