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Council requirements

EAST DEVON DISTRICT COUNCIL wishes to invite expressions of interest for the operation of a new Discovery Centre including an on-site cafe and retail space in Seaton. Interested operators must demonstrate a sound financial, technical and operational capacity to perform the services required. Expressions of Interest must arrive no later than Monday 16th January and can be submitted by post or electronically to ltimberlake@eastdevon.gov.uk

Project team and Delivery

The Discover Centre currently has a fixed construction/completion budget of £2.3m and EDDC will also contribute the land required at nil cost to the project. The internal fit out of the exhibition and ancillary areas is also included within this budget.

The project team has been working with EDDC to deliver the project to completion. Planning Permission for the centre has been obtained, subject to conditions, which include satisfying the planning authority of the sustainability credentials of the build. Once the design and fit out has been agreed with the operator, it is anticipated that the building will achieve a BREEAM rating of very good.

Architect: Form Design, Plymouth

Project Management, Quantity Surveyors: Ward Williams, Plymouth

Client Manager: Donna Best, Principal Surveyor, EDDC

The projected timing for the delivery of the scheme is as follows;

Response to Expressions of Interest: 16 January 2012

Assessment of EOIs and requests to interview: 31 January 2012

Interviews completed: 29 February 2012

Assessment of interviewees and selection of operator: March 2012

Planning confirmed, Lease signed, Internal lay-out and fit out confirmed, Start on site: March – Sept 2012

Operator Criteria – East Devon District Council’s requirements

East Devon District Council is offering a long term leasehold interest in a purpose built, new discovery centre. Once the centre has been constructed and the interpretative displays fitted, it is anticipated that there will be no further revenue subsidy available to the operator from either East Devon District Council or Devon County Council. Therefore those potential operators selected to interview will be expected to submit a costed business plan with an appropriate level of detail showing the expected financial out-turn of the operation including the proposed level of rent payable to East Devon District Council.

Potential operators will be expected to finance all start-up costs and the operating business model can include a competitive admission charge for the interpretative experience and for special services delivered e.g. charging for special events and educational programmes. The costs for maintenance of the building and the regular renewal of the interpretative experiences will be met by the operator. It would be expected that every third year of the lease a business plan will be submitted outlining plans for the maintenance, repair and enhancement of the interpretative displays and the building.

Interesting partnership proposals will be considered along with more traditional commercial operator led ones and initially interested parties should provide the following information:

  1. Organisation Details including full name, address, telephone numbers, email and a named contact together with date of formation/registration of the organisation and VAT registration number (if applicable).
    If the organisation is a member of a group of companies please supply the name and address of the Parent Company.
  2. Employees including full names of Directors or Partners and the Secretary of the organisation. Please confirm whether any Directors or employees have ever been employed and/or who have relatives who are currently employed by the Council?
  3. Organisation credentials. Please provide any details of recognised trade association membership, and any Quality Assurance System or Accreditation that the organisation subscribes to.
    Please indicate your annual turnover during the last three years:
    2008 - £
    2009 - £
    2010 - £
  4. Equality & Diversity. Please provide a copy of your organisation’s Equality and Diversity or Equal Opportunities Policy if available and confirm if you are an equal opportunities employer or not.
  5. Staffing numbers. Please state the approximate number of people that you currently employ on a regular basis under the following headings.
    a. Management
    b. Supervisors
    c. Operatives

    Please specify the qualifications and experience of the employees that you would propose to engage at the Centre.
  6. Environmental Policy. Please provide a copy of our company’s Environmental Policy. This should show the procedures you have in place to minimise the environmental impacts of your activities and how sustainable living is promoted.
  7. Experience. Please detail and describe the nature and experience of the company, outlining any instances where partnering with a community or public sector body has taken place.
    Additionally, Expressions of Interest should consider a) how visitors will be attracted to Seaton through promotion of the Centre and its place within Seaton and the other natural attractions of the area; b) how the Centre will support an excellent visitor experience, learning and understanding.

Page last updated on 25 May 2012