Preliminary Market Engagement for Ashford Arts Centre Operator

1. Purpose of this Engagement Ashford Borough Council is undertaking preliminary market engagement in advance of a potential procurement process for the appointment of an operator or leaseholder to run Ashford Arts Centre. The purpose of this exercise is to: •understand current market capacity and appetite among cultural, community and commercial operators •test the contract structure against real operator experience, including views on whether, and to what extent, public revenue support may be needed •inform the proposed procurement route, contract structure and specification •identify opportunities for community engagement, accessible pricing and high-quality content programming This is not a call for competition and does not commit the Council to commence a procurement process. 2. Venue Overview •Location: the former Odeon cinema, Ashford High Street, currently being redeveloped by Haworth Tompkins •Main auditorium (Studio Theatre): up to 176 seated, or 212 standing, a flexible performance space for resident and touring content •First floor Dance Hall and community space: approximately 145 sqm, with seated capacity varying by use from around 45 up to around 132 depending on layout, intended to operate as a concurrent, separate hire alongside the auditorium, supporting workshops, rehearsals, dance classes and wellbeing activities, as well as commercial and public hire including meetings, conferences, weddings and private celebrations •Additional spaces: a foyer with café/bar and informal workspace, a gallery and pop-up creative area for exhibitions and community showcases, and accessible circulation with modern building systems throughout •Design and technical development detail available in the information pack on request •Further background on the project, including the Cabinet report and community engagement activity, is available on the Council's website: https://www.ashford.gov.uk/your-council/council-projects/town-centre-improvements/the-odeon/ •Public sector revenue support: the Council acknowledges that some form of public subsidy may be required to enable a venue of this scale and specification to operate sustainably. The level and structure of any such support has not yet been determined, and responses to this engagement will help inform that decision The Council is particularly interested in understanding how operators can support: local employment opportunities; affordable and accessible pricing alongside genuine community access commitments; high quality cultural and commercial content programming; and a resilient commercial model capable of sustaining the venue over the full contract term. 3. Engagement Format •Operator Market Day: Wednesday 12th August 2026, held via Teams, with senior representatives from Haworth Tompkins, Ashford Borough Council and Blue Horizon Ventures presenting the design, requirements and next steps •Optional follow up conversations available on request All participating organisations will receive the same information pack, to ensure transparency. 4. Confidentiality Information provided will be used solely to inform the Council's procurement strategy. Commercially sensitive information will not be disclosed publicly. 5. Next Steps Following this engagement, the Council may: •refine its delivery model •adjust its route to market •publish a formal procurement notice •decide not to proceed Register attendance for the market day by Friday 7th August 2026, to Julian Russell julian@bluehorizon-ventures.com Written expressions of interest and responses to the questionnaire are due by Friday 28th August 2026 via the Kent Business Portal.