Contract for Stafford Borough Council's delivery arrangements for heritage services

Stafford Borough Council is reviewing future delivery arrangements for a range of leisure, culture and heritage services as the current contractual arrangements approach expiry in November 2027. Following completion of an options appraisal, the Council has determined that future leisure services and the Gatehouse Theatre will be considered through separate procurement arrangements. In relation to the Council's heritage portfolio, no final decision has yet been taken regarding the preferred delivery model. The Council is therefore undertaking a Preliminary Market Engagement exercise to explore market appetite, capability and capacity to operate and develop the following heritage assets as a standalone heritage service: • Stafford Castle • Ancient High House • Izaak Walton Cottage The facilities currently form part of a wider leisure, theatre and heritage services contract operated by Freedom Leisure. The Council is seeking views from organisations with experience in heritage management, museums, cultural services, visitor attractions, charitable trusts, educational provision, community based heritage management and related sectors. The Council is particularly interested in understanding: • whether there is sufficient market appetite for a standalone heritage contract; • the types of organisations likely to participate in a future procurement process; • appropriate delivery models and partnership structures; • acceptable levels of risk transfer; • subsidy expectations and financial sustainability opportunities; • opportunities to increase visitor engagement and community impact; and • information requirements that would support participation in a future procurement exercise. This notice relates solely to preliminary market engagement and does not constitute a call for competition, invitation to tender or commitment by the Council to commence a procurement process