Procurement of a Cultural Operator for the redevelopment and operation of the Clair Hall Site in Perrymount Road Haywards Heath

In 2023 the contracting authority engaged advisers to undertake a comprehensive market engagement exercise. They sought to engage widely, including with sector analysts and national bodies, to test the resilience and status of the cultural operator sector. They established the level of interest in the site and the key parameters for a cultural facility. Report findings recommended a multi-purpose facility anchored by an independent cinema. To further build on the work undertaken in 2023, further market testing was carried out with industry specialists and arts and cinema operators. A brochure was developed which was sent out to 24 operators/firms in the industry, made up of a mix of multi-art form/industry specialists, industry bodies and cinema operators, ranging from premium operators through to small independent operators. The brochure was used to provide context and to help facilitate more detailed follow-up conversations with the specialists and operators. The brochure's purpose and the responses received (plus conversations held) were used to help develop the contracting authority's requirements and approach to the procurement (including the procedure and likely conditions for participating and award of a contract), identify suppliers able to meet the requirements of the contracting authority, identify likely contractual terms, and establish market knowledge of and interest in the opportunity. The findings of the market testing have informed the contracting authority's subsequent decisions. Steps were taken and will continue to be taken to ensure that suppliers engaged in this market testing are not put at an unfair advantage in any competition in relation to a contract award to be carried out. It is the contracting authority's intention to publish a tender mid-June 2025.