Purpose

Tilgate Park is recognised as one of the most
beautiful parks in the Southeast, renowned for its natural
landscape and diverse range of facilities, including Tilgate Zoo.
This green flag award winning park attracts visitor numbers in
excess of 750,000 per year who enjoy many of the facilities and
events on offer.
Based in the walled garden, the cafe is a popular meeting point for
families and individuals offering both inside and outside seating
areas and the adjacent ice cream parlour.
The current lease is due to expire on 31st March 2026 and so in
accordance with the council's procurement code, the park service
invited tenders to operate a high quality cafe concession via the
SE Shared Procurement Service.
After a thorough evaluation the Head of Community Services, in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Wellbeing,
approved the award to Groundworks South Ltd for a 10 year lease and
10 year concession contract.

Content

Award the 10 year lease and 10 year concession
contract to Groundworks South Ltd to operate the Walled Garden cafe
at Tilgate Park.
In return the council will receive an income where any income over
target for Tilgate Park will be allocated to a Park Reserve and
ring fenced to fund projects across Tilgate, Tilgate Zoo and other
parks and open spaces as approved by Cabinet 10th January 2024 with
report HCS/068 as part of the five year business plan.

Alternative options considered

With the scheduled end of the current lease it
was necessary to undertake an open procurement process.
The procurement received five submissions which were evaluated and
scored on the basis of price and quality in line with the tender
documentation.
The successful bid demonstrated exceptional quality standards and a
clear commitment to enhancing the visitor experience.