ENQ584 - Feasibility Study Make and Trade Zone

Quotations are invited for the provision of a Feasibility Study: Derby Make and Trade Zone Derby City Council has identified the opportunity to tackle the retail decline and loss of footfall in our city centre, further diversify the economy, overcome skills gaps and address the under-representation of knowledge intensive service businesses, by establishing a Make and Trade Zone with a retail diversification fund. The Grant/Loan fund will help existing and new landlords and traders to re-imagine the uses and function of their buildings and business to encourage local entrepreneurs to create new and exciting offers for the city centre economy.

Furthermore support offered would range from flexible leases, including meanwhile leases, specialist advice and coaching, the development of networks, joint promotional campaigns, interaction with the University of Derby, Derby College and other stakeholders. Key outcomes will include, a physical zone within a key landmark building offering unique platform for traditional trade augmented by new digital opportunities to maximise competitive advantage, new economic activity, jobs and a reduction in empty shop units.

Make and Trade Zone is a concept within the Delivery Plan of the Economic Growth Strategy. The idea is that we would create an area of the City Centre which would be freed from the normal restrictive rents, rates, planning controls and parking charges.

This would be defined through the establishment of a Make and Trade Masterplan. The contract period is 12 weeks, the contract is estimated to commence 23 March 2020 and expire 15 June 2020 There will be an option to extend the contract for potential follow on work up to 31 March 2021 subject to budget approval, satisfactory performance and business needs.

Maximum contract period will not exceed 31 March 2021 The maximum budget available for the initial term of this contract is £50,000. Bids in excess of this amount will not be considered.

Any follow on work will be costed separately and will be subject to additional budget approval. The Service Providers day rates and hourly rates provided in the resource schedule submitted as part of their proposal will be used to calculate the costs of any follow on requirements.

Please note, suppliers wishing to express interest and obtain the documentation, must do so by 15:00 on 5 March 2020. The deadline for returns is 12:00 pm on 6 March 2020.

Please visit the Council's e-tendering system https://www.eastmidstenders.org where you can express interest and obtain the documents, (please note we will only accept expressions of interest through the e-tendering system. Please search for ENQ584