Description
Gloucestershire County Council is seeking to award a concession contract to operate the café area within Arle Court Transport Hub.
2023 construction commenced on Arle Court, creating a vital transportation facility in Cheltenham. Located near the A40, Arle Court Transport Hub began operation in July 2024.
The facility plays a key role in reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality. It is also a key element of the current Gloucestershire Local Transport Plan 2020-2041.
The facility offers state-of-the-art facilities including: multi-story car park with 860 spaces, bus station, passenger hub, toilets, including Changing Place and baby change facilities as well as 100 Electric Vehicle Charging Points (EVCP). Local Bus operators servicing Cheltenham and national coaches operate at the station.
In addition to the multi-story car park, there is a west car park that has 140 car parking spaces and coach parking facilities, taxi rank and rapid EVCP charging points. The car parks also serves as parking for direct local business employees
Tenure will be by way of a lease arrangement which will attract an annual fee to be paid monthly. The café's construction provides a base for a 'panini' type coffee shop offering, hot food preparation is limited to toasting and warming products. Separate power, water and overhead lighting are provided, with a large preparation/ store room area. The café requires fitting out to the
contractor's electrical design and layout requirements which must be submitted with the tender, suitable wall lining materials are available for fitting. The site provides further income opportunities from vending points.
The contract will operate for 10 years with the option to extend by a further 5 years, subject to the contract's T&C's in relation to performance and termination events.
The successful concessionaire must provide end-to-end café design and installation of the facilities and operational services including, but not limited to, design, installation and compliant electrical and extraction works and the provision of hardware in accordance with the lease, customer payments and interfaces and all associated maintenance and café operational activity. The concessionaire must be capable of delivery of all elements and have fully controlled contract management of its supply chain.
GCC's estimated total value of the concession over its maximum possible term takes account of the following factors and opportunities:
• The investment and funding provided by the contractor
• The potential installation and management of a cold vending facility.
• The potential installation and management of a hot vending facility.
• Certain assumptions about use of the café by existing site users detailed in the procurement documents
• Certain assumptions about use of the café by new site users as both marketing, events and coach company use expands detailed in the procurement documents
Estimated contract value of £6,000,000 to £8,000,00