Tender opportunity: Linmere Farmstead Cafe
Linmere is set to be a vibrant new community and a new centre for South Bedfordshire, with wellness at its heart and the outdoors on its doorstep.
Linmere's carefully designed homes, state-of-the-art schools, exciting community facilities, permissive open space and focused retail offerings will engender a real sense of belonging for all residents. Over the next 15 years, around 5,000 homes of mixed size, price and tenure will be available in a series of interlinked neighbourhoods that connect people with nature, and enable and promote activity and relaxation alike.
The community hub (known as "The Farmstead at Linmere") which sits at the heart of the development comprises a café, farm shop, nature inspired playground, community hall and workshops/small retail units. A catering partner is being sought to operate the café (provisional identity "the Farmstead Café").
Competition in the surrounding area is low and the potential market is significant (extending well beyond the development itself). Our vision is for the Farmstead Café to be a high quality, aspirational, artisanal, daytime café, which could trade from morning to late afternoon from the outset. As more houses are built and the market develops, we see the facility developing in response; opening later into the evening and delivering a more substantial food offer throughout the day too. We are looking for a catering partner with the vision and experience to grow the business in a planned way, while remaining flexible and responsive to the developing market.
The Farmstead Café will be offered in a fully fitted state with kitchen equipment, service/bar counter and furniture to be mutually agreed by both parties.
The preference is for a 5 year agreement with an option to extend for another 5 years subject to satisfactory performance. However, to attract the right catering partner we are open to suggestions on the length and structure of the agreement. The café will be available to occupy from early 2021.
The closing date for applications is Friday 17 April 2020. For an information pack with full details of the opportunity and details of how to apply please email Alex Coffin at Boyd-Thorpe Associates (alex@boyd-thorpe-associates.co.uk) or call on 07743 897366.