Project Manager - Lymington Sea Water Baths Restoration

Lymington and Pennington Town Council is seeking to appoint one suitably experienced Project Manager / Project Coordinator to manage and coordinate the next stage of the Lymington Sea Water Baths Restoration Project.

The project is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and will develop the technical, heritage, community, market and business evidence required to inform the future restoration and sustainable operation of the Baths. The Lymington Sea Water Baths were established in 1833 and are one of the earliest surviving open-air seawater bathing facilities in the United Kingdom. The site is a significant local and national heritage asset but is affected by deterioration arising from its age, marine exposure and historic repairs.

The appointed consultant will provide single-point responsibility for the coordination, programme management, integration and quality assurance of the project's Phase 1 workstreams. These include architectural and engineering design development to RIBA Stage 2, cost planning, heritage assessment, consultation and engagement, comparator research, market and regional analysis, and business options appraisal.

The consultant may deliver the specialist comparator, market and business appraisal work directly or through suitably qualified named subconsultants. Where subconsultants are used, the lead consultant will remain responsible for their management, coordination, quality assurance and integration into the wider project.

The Phase 1 services will include:

• Preparing and maintaining an integrated project programme.
• Coordinating the Project Manager's own

focus it on phase one

Procurement description

Lymington and Pennington Town Council is seeking to appoint one suitably experienced Project Manager / Project Coordinator to manage, coordinate and quality assure Phase 1 of the Lymington Sea Water Baths Restoration Project.

The project is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and will develop the technical, heritage, community, market and business evidence required to inform the future restoration and sustainable operation of the Baths.

The appointed consultant will provide a single point of coordination for the Phase 1 project and will be responsible for bringing together the work of the Council, Design Team, Quantity Surveyor, Heritage Consultant, Consultation and Engagement Consultant and any specialist subconsultants appointed through this commission.

The consultant will not replace the Council's client role and will not have authority to commit Council expenditure without written approval.

The services required are:

• Preparation and maintenance of an integrated Phase 1 project programme.
• Coordination of all Phase 1 workstreams, dependencies, deadlines and required approvals.
• Management of project meetings, agendas, notes, action logs and decision records.
• Preparation and maintenance of project risk and issue registers.
• Monthly progress reporting to the Council.
• Support with National Lottery Heritage Fund reporting, monitoring, evidence collation and the final Phase 1 evaluation submission.
• Coordination of inputs from the architectural and engineering Design Team, Quantity Surveyor, Heritage Consultant and Consultation and Engagement Consultant.
• Review and quality assurance of outputs to ensure that the technical, heritage, engagement, market and business evidence is consistent, practical and suitable for use by the Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
• Advice to the Council on programme sequencing, dependencies, risks, governance and decision-making requirements.
• Management, coordination and quality assurance of any specialist subconsultants delivering elements of this commission.

In addition to project management and coordination, the commission includes responsibility for delivering or managing the following specialist workstreams:

Comparator Study

The consultant will identify and examine between five and seven relevant United Kingdom lidos, seawater pools or comparable heritage leisure assets.

The study will consider matters including:

• Governance and ownership arrangements.
• Operating models.
• Pricing and income generation.
• Programming and activities.
• Audience development.
• Financial and environmental sustainability.
• Relevant successes, risks and lessons.

The required outputs will include a Comparator Study Report, individual case study summaries and recommendations for Lymington.

Market / Regional Profile Review

The consultant will assess the current and potential market for the Lymington Sea Water Baths.

The work will include:

• Analysis of existing and potential audiences.
• Consideration of regional tourism, leisure, health and wellbeing markets.
• Assessment of competitors and complementary local and regional attractions.
• Identification of opportunities to increase participation, visibility and off-season use.
• Consideration of inclusion, accessibility and barriers to participation.

The required outputs will include a Market / Regional Profile Review, audience segmentation and strategic recommendations for the future positioning and promotion of the Baths.

Business Options Appraisal

The consultant will assess the potential future operating and governance arrangements for the Baths.

The appraisal will include:

• Evaluation of Council-led, charitable trust, community interest company, operator-led and hybrid delivery models where relevant.
• Development of 10-year financial projections.
• Identification of potential income streams and pricing strategies.
• Integration of capital and lifecycle cost information supplied by the Quantity Surveyor.
• Assessment of risks, assumptions and sensitivity scenarios.
• Recommendation of a preferred operational and governance model, supported by clear evidence and reasoning.

The required outputs will include a Business Options Appraisal Report, a financial modelling workbook and summary presentation materials for the Council.

The consultant will be expected to work collaboratively with the wider project team and ensure that business and market evidence informs the development of the RIBA Stage 0 to 2 design proposals. Emerging design decisions must be considered in relation to future operation, affordability, management, accessibility and long-term sustainability.

The final Phase 1 outputs will include:

Project initiation note and confirmed delivery programme.

Monthly progress reports.

Meeting records, action logs and risk and issue registers.

Comparator Study.

Market / Regional Profile Review.

Business Options Appraisal and financial modelling workbook.

Executive summary for the National Lottery Heritage Fund feasibility evidence pack.

Presentation of findings to the Council and relevant stakeholders.

Final coordination and handover report setting out recommendations, risks, next steps and future project requirements.

The consultant may deliver the Comparator Study, Market / Regional Profile Review and Business Options Appraisal directly or through suitably qualified subconsultants. Any proposed subconsultants must be identified in the tender submission. The appointed lead consultant will remain responsible for the management, integration and quality assurance of all subcontracted work.

Tenderers must provide a fixed fee for Phase 1, separately identifying the project management and coordination fee, specialist workstream fees, any subcontracted elements, expenses, assumptions and exclusions.

Appointment and mobilisation are expected in late September 2026. Project initiation must take place within one week of appointment. All Phase 1 outputs must be completed, approved where required, and the final evaluation submitted no later than 31 August 2027.