Operator sought for £100m Olympic Orbit contract

The Olympic Park Legacy Company is seeking an operator for landmark 2012 structure the ArcelorMittal Orbit.

The 10-year contract, which is estimated will generate annual revenue of around £10m, is for hospitality, catering, marketing and events, ticketing and gift shop services. Reception and internal security services will also be required.

In addition, there is a proposal that the contract could be extended by a further five years, subject to the performance of the operator.

Interested parties have until 28 January to submit a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire. The Legacy Company will shortlist a maximum of three preferred bidders and aims to award the contract in June. so that the operator can influence the fit-out operation.

While ArcelorMittal will fund up to £19.2m of the £22.3m project, with the outstanding £3.1m provided by the London Development Agency, the operator will be expected to finance and inform the fit-out operation.

Malcolm Ross, Legacy Company executive director of operations and venues, said: "It's not purely a visitor attraction, it's a hospitality piece. We want this to be a memorable experience.

"The operators that have shown an interest in the Olympic Stadium and some of our other venues are likely to be interested."

Similar operator packages are expected to be launched at the end of the month for the Aquatics Centre and Multi-Use Arena.

The ArcelorMittal Orbit was the winning entry in a competition to design an accessible work of public art that would be an iconic centrepiece for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is designed by Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond.

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By Janie Stamford

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