INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF BASINGSTOKE MARKET

Located in North Hampshire, the borough of Basingstoke and Deane has a population of 185,200 whilst the town of Basingstoke has a population of 117,200. Basingstoke's town centre is made of up of three main shopping areas: Festival Place, The Malls and the Top of The Town, the historic quarter and home of the twice-weekly market. The town remains a key regional retail and leisure destination with footfall in Festival Place exceeding 20 million visitors per year.\\r\r

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As part of its work on improving Basingstoke's town centre and enhancing the local offer, increasing footfall and creating vibrancy, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (the council) is looking to appoint a market operator to manage the twice-weekly local market taking place on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Market Place in the Top of the Town area of Basingstoke.\\r\r

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The market is an important part of the offering in the Top of the Town and has the potential to be a major element in driving footfall to the town centre and supporting the wider economic health of the area.\\r\r

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The council is looking for an operator who has a strong track record of delivering successful markets and who can also demonstrate innovation and creativity in diversifying the offer, supporting local producers and makers and encouraging business start-ups.\\r\r

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This contract will be for three years with an option for a further one-year extension and is expected to commence on Wednesday 1st January 2025.