Liverpool City Council seeks ‘long-term’ café operators for two of its best-known and historic visitor attractions. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool City Council is looking for long-term café operators for both St George’s Hall and Croxteth Country Park Stables.

It is inviting interested parties to submit tenders to lease space within both historic venues. Grade I-lisred St George’s Hall was opened in 1854. The Grade II-listed stabled are part of Croxteth Hall and Park which date back to the 16th century.

Applicants must be able to offer a “track record of operating quality food and beverage offers in similar venues”, says the council.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, Cllr Harry Doyle, said: ”The consultation we carried out at Croxteth Hall last year showed that people want a food and drink outlet. This is why we are now going out to seek expressions of interest for the café.

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“We have had a short-term arrangement with Homebaked Bakery at St George’s Hall which has proved popular.

“In line with the improvements we are making to the transparency and market testing for the letting of Council contracts, we are now going out to seek expressions of interest in a longer-term arrangement.”

St George’s Hall:

St George’s Hall café is located  within the Visitor Entrance at St George’s Place. The building welcomes 300,000 visitors a year.

Its café is currently being operated on a short-term basis by the social enterprise, Homebaked Bakery, which has occupied the site since October 2021.

It is hoped that the successful bidder will operate the café for a longer period, on a lease for a term to be agreed.

All interested parties can view the official tender document, including how to apply, at www.stgeorgeshallliverpool.co.uk.

Croxteth Country Park Stables café

Croxteth Park attracts around 750,000 people each year, including 1,000 dog walkers per day plus 3,000 to 6,000 visitors every weekend.

Its café was last occupied in March 2020 and provided traditional canteen-type food, as well as hot and cold drinks.

It is hoped that the successful bidder will work in partnership to support the estate’s events and activities throughout the year.

The Croxteth Stables Café lease opportunity is being delivered in partnership with property agency Matthews & Goodman and supported by surveyors Fisher German.

Interested parties can view the official tender document, including how to apply, at www.croxteth-hall.co.uk.

Head of Liverpool City Assets, Angie Redhead, added: “This is a great opportunity for hospitality providers to offer our many visitors and passing commuters the chance to drink and dine in the comfort of two completely different and unique spaces.”