The Executive Director (Development) has submitted a report to seek approval to re-tender a contract for operational management of the outdoor market at Gloucester Green.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.     Approve the re-tender of a contract for the operational management of Gloucester Green Outdoor Market;

2.     Authorise the Executive Director (Development) to finalise the tender documents; and

3.     Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development) in consultation with the Deputy Leader (Statutory) – Finance and Asset Management, the Head of Financial Services / S151 Officer and the Head of Law and Governance to finalise terms and enter into a new contract for the operational management of Gloucester Green Outdoor Market.

The Executive Director (Development) had submitted a report to seek approval to re-tender a contract for operational management of the outdoor market at Gloucester Green.  The agreement with the existing operator would expire at the end of March 2023, and the report set out the proposed route and timeline for the procurement.

Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader (Statutory) – Finance and Asset Management, commented that the market was an asset to the city and had a long history.  The pandemic had had an impact on the market in recent years, and the tender process would require any new operator to clarify how they would support future growth and align the market’s operations with the Council's objectives.   It was also important to engage with local residents regarding the market’s operations.

In debate it was noted that the market had in the past offered a valuable opportunity for traders to test their products and sales model prior to expansion, and officers undertook to consider how this could be reflected in the re-tender process.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.        Approve the re-tender of a contract for the operational management of Gloucester Green Outdoor Market;

2.        Authorise the Executive Director (Development) to finalise the tender documents; and

3.        Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development) in consultation with the Deputy Leader (Statutory) – Finance and Asset Management, the Head of Financial Services/Section 151 Office and the Head of Law and Governance to finalise terms and enter into a new contract for the operational management of Gloucester Green Outdoor Market.