Management of Attleborough Leisure Centre

Descriptions

Breckland District Council is undertaking a re-procurement for a new leisure management contract to operate and manage the facilities at Attleborough Leisure Centre, Attleborough, Norfolk.

The Centre is on the site of Attleborough Academy, managed by Sapientia Education Trust.

The Authority is currently procuring a construction company to undertake capital investment into the centre, providing an extension to create a new facility, including a gym and studios. The Authority is also working with the Football Foundation to provide a new full-size floodlit 3G on the site.

The objective of the procurement will be to secure the most advantageous tender, considering the Authority's strategic outcomes detailed below, whilst maximising the payment to the Authority.

In undertaking this procurement, the Authority wishes to achieve the following outcomes:

• Contract with a suitably experienced operator who is willing to work with the Authority as a 'partner' to meet its strategic outcomes.

• Increase usage and income of Attleborough Leisure Centre to reduce the operating cost of the service and generate an income/surplus share.

• Contract with an operator experienced in launching new leisure facilities, who can bring good industry practice to fit out and equip the new facilities.

• Work with a partner who is used to working with education partners in managing joint-use leisure centres.

• Undertake a procurement in a timely and efficient manner for all involved.

• Ensure the preferred Operator is on board soon enough to successfully fit out and launch the redeveloped centre.

It is anticipated that the Contract will commence in Spring 2026, with the new facilities being completed by Autumn 2026. This timeline may be accelerated or elongated depending upon progress with the Construction works

The Authority is yet to decide upon the route to market.

Prior to undertaking the formal procurement process, which is targeted to commence Q4 2025, Breckland District Council is seeking to undertake Preliminary market Engagement (PME) with the leisure operator market to enable the authority to better define its service requirements and the procurement process. We are seeking engagement with potential suppliers to:

• Support the design of this procurement exercise and route to market

• Identify suppliers who have the capacity and qualifications to take part in the tender and deliver the required services

• Test with suppliers the service specification requirements

• Test with suppliers some of the contractual terms and surplus share proposals