Youth Zone / Youth Facilities - Market Consultation

The Council is exploring the possibility of significantly investing in the improvement of youth services and facilities for children and young people in Cheshire East. In order to be innovative, aspirational and sustainable in the facilities we offer our young people in Crewe we propose a Partnership Agreement that will enable the Council and partners to create a high quality new build facility that supports young people to develop new skills and socialise in a safe, positive and accessible environment.

Early estimates of the total capital funding envelope required is £8m and ongoing revenue of £1m pa. We are seeking a partner charitable organisation who is eligible to apply for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport's (DCMS) Youth Investment Fund and will lead the bid process as a first step to establishing a Youth Zone / Youth Facility.

The funding required to build and run the Youth Zone / Youth facility will be a blend of government grant, Council funding and fundraising via the business sector, high net worth individuals and philanthropy. The Council will make land available on a long lease to the charity at a peppercorn rent in order to support the development.

The Council is proposing to develop a Youth Zone / Youth Facility that provides large-scale multi-activity facilities which typically include a multi-use 3G pitch, indoor sports hall, climbing wall, gym, music, dance, performing and creative arts facilities and café, along with flexible spaces that can respond to young people's changing needs and preferences. The facility will open weekday evenings, all through the weekend and all day through school holidays.

Local young people will be involved in the naming, branding and interior design of the new facility from the very start. The background document will be available on The Chest E-Tendering Portal - Project ID DN497389.

This market testing will be conducted on Cheshire East Borough Council's electronic contract and tender management system at the https://www.the-chest.org.uk. The Council intends to proceed to establish a Partnership Agreement in November 2020, however makes no guarantees that this notice will be followed with a tender.

This notice is an indication of potential future procurement activity and is subject to change. The notice is not part of any pre-qualification or selection process and is not a commitment to procure anything. The Council is keen to explore all options or solutions that may be currently available in the market and would like to engage with potential charitable organisations.