Provision of catering services: Luton Cultural Services Trust

Luton Cultural Services Trust are inviting applications from suitably experienced catering businesses to express interest in the provision of a Café within the Central Library, who will work in partnership with the library to support the promotion of books and reading.

The Central Library in St George's Square is currently being refurbished and services and access to the building improved to create a learning centre in the centre of town - a £1.8 million pound project funded by the Big Lottery Fund, Luton Borough Council and Luton Cultural Services Trust. Work commenced on September 15th 2008 and the completion date is 20th April 2009 when the building will reopen and be re-launched to the public after a 3.5 month closure.

In 2007/08, 561,206 visits were made to the building equating to over 1600 visits a day.It is expected that usage will rise significantly when the library re-opens. The library is open 7 days a week.

The Trust requires a café that will reflect the new modern re-branding of the Central Library and provide a bright relaxing environment where library customers can eat, drink and read. The café should offer an appealing light menu with good quality products at a reasonable price, and catering throughout the day. It should be able to offer fair-trade products. The requirement for the evenings will be light non-alcoholic drinks and snacks to compliment the theatre bar and events taking place in the library.

Applicants should hold the relevant food hygiene qualifications and will be required to demonstrate their ability to manage a high quality café with a daily snack and light meal facility.

The Trust is willing and prepared to negotiate on various aspects of the terms and conditions to ensure the right provider is appointed, consistent with the aims and objectives of the library service.

Further details with a timetable for applications are available from: Melanie Browne, Administration Assistant, Luton Central Library, St. Georges Sq.Luton LU1 2NG.
Tel: 01582 547404.