TWO of Liverpool’s most iconic venues are on the look-out for long-term café operators, as part of the city’s transformation programme.
Liverpool City Council is inviting interested parties to submit tenders to lease space within the Grade II listed Croxteth Country Park Stables and Grade I listed St George’s Hall.
The Council wants to lease the spaces to third party suppliers with a track record of operating quality food and beverage offers in similar venues.
It comes at a time when the Council is looking to address the ongoing post-lockdown recovery of each venue, whilst at the same time boosting the visitor economy.
St George’s Hall café
St George’s Hall café is situated within the Visitor Entrance at St George’s Place, close to Lime Street Station and Queen Square Bus Station.
The building is visited by 300,000 people every year, either through appointments at the Liverpool Register Office, or via tourism through guided tours or attendance at the immersive experience, The History Whisperer.
The café is currently being operated on a short-term basis by the social enterprise company, Homebaked Bakery, which has occupied the site since January 2022.
It is hoped that the successful bidder will operate the café for a longer period, on a lease for a term to be agreed.
All interested parties can view the official tender document, including how to apply, at stgeorgeshallliverpool.co.uk.
Croxteth Country Park Stables café
The park attracts approximately 750,000 people annually, including 1,000 dog walkers per day plus 3,000 – 6,000 visitors every weekend.
The café was last occupied in March 2020 and provided traditional canteen-type food, as well as hot and cold drinks.
It is hoped that the successful bidder will work in partnership to support the estate’s events and activities throughout the year.
The Croxteth Stables Café lease opportunity is being delivered in partnership with multi-disciplinary property service providers, Matthews & Goodman LLP and supported by surveyors Fisher German.
Interested parties can view the official tender document, including how to apply, at www.croxteth-hall.co.uk.
Reaction
Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, Cllr Harry Doyle, said:
“We are fortunate to have fantastic cultural buildings and public spaces in our city and we want to make sure that we attract a wide range of visitors and give them the opportunity to spend time within them.
“The consultation we carried out at Croxteth Hall last year showed that people want a food and drink outlet, which is why we are now going out to seek expressions of interest for the café.
“We have had a short-term arrangement with Homebaked Bakery at St George’s Hall which has proved popular. In line with the improvements we are making to the transparency and market testing for the letting of Council contracts, we are now going out to seek expressions of interest in a longer-term arrangement.”
Head of Liverpool City Assets, Angie Redhead, said:
“We are incredibly excited to be on the look-out for long term operators to take over the cafés at either of these much-loved buildings.
“This is a great opportunity for hospitality providers to offer our many visitors and passing commuters the chance to drink and dine in the comfort of two completely different and unique spaces – both of which are situated in historic venues which hold a very special place in the heart of Liverpool’s community.”
Gabriel Davies, surveyor at Fisher German who are supporting on the Croxteth cafe, said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for a food and beverage operator to occupy premises on the prestigious grounds of Croxteth Country Park.
“The Stables Café has the potential to cater for thousands of weekly park visitors, all currently without somewhere to relax in a cosy environment.
“We are looking for an experienced operator eager to enhance the current food and beverage offering and to provide an essential park amenity.”
Top image – James Stack/BBC