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Ashford Arts Centre Operator

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Ashford Borough Council · GB-PPON-PJTC-7477-RLVM

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Value
£13m
Published
28 Oct 2026
Deadline
8 Jan 2027, 10:00 GMT · 72d left · as published, verify on the notice
Type
opportunity
92320000 · Recreational, cultural & sporting servicesSouth East England

Description

The Council seeks a suitably skilled, long-term partner to manage and operate Ashford Arts Centre (AAC) via a concession arrangement. AAC is a new community and commercial arts centre being delivered by the Council through the redevelopment of the former Ashford Odeon cinema building, in Ashford town centre. The design for AAC is currently at RIBA Stage 3, and details in respect of the scope of the AAC in the suite of procurement documents should be treated as subject to confirmation as the design develops. AAC's programme is intended to include theatre, live performance, comedy, family shows and community use, alongside a hospitality and events offer, ensuring there is something to suit a broad range of audiences within a scale appropriate to Ashford. The estimated value stated in this notice is based on detailed financial modelling completed by Blue Horizon Ventures on behalf of the Council. The model draws on the RIBA Stage 3 design for AAC, benchmark data from comparable venues, and projected commercial and community activity across the venue’s spaces, reflecting its intended role as a hybrid commercial and community performance venue. The figure represents cumulative operator income over the 25 year contract term, excluding VAT and public subsidy. It is shared to give Tenderers an indication of scale so that they can plan their interest and resources with confidence. It is not a forecast or a guarantee of future income, and it is not intended to be used as the basis for Tenderers’ own financial modelling. Tenderers are required to develop their own assumptions, drawing on their operating experience and the information in the tender pack. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/tenders/UK-UK-Ashford:-Arts-facility-operation-services./P5BBRU393F To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/respond/P5BBRU393F

Key facts

Procedure
Competitive flexible procedure
Lots
1
Contact
Stephanie Leonard
procurement.email@ashford.gov.uk
Value incl. VAT
£15m
Category
services
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Provenance

Source
Find a Tender
Notice id
102323-2026
OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0792e2
First seen
28 Oct 2026
Last updated
28 Oct 2026

Licence Open Government Licence v3.0 ↗

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Find a Tender.

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