Two of Liverpool’s historic and iconic halls are searching for long-term food operators as the city council looks to address the post-lockdown visitor economy recovery.
Liverpool Council is inviting interested parties to submit tenders to lease space within the Grade II listed Croxteth Country Park Stables and Grade I listed St George’s Hall. Third party suppliers with a track record of operating quality food and beverage offers in similar venues are being sought to take up residence.
Last year, the introduction of a £2 fee to park at Croxteth Park was mooted as a possible method of generating much needed funds to support the ongoing maintenance of the green space and historic hall. Currently it costs Liverpool Council £1m a year to look after.
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The results of a public consultation found currently the most popular facilities are the toilets and the on-site café/coffee van. Support for commercially run food providers was “welcomed across the board” it said.
The park attracts approximately 750,000 people a year, including 1,000 dog walkers per day and up to 6,000 visitors every weekend. The café was last occupied in March 2020 and provided traditional canteen-type food, as well as hot and cold drinks.
It is hoped that a 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 multi-disciplinary property service providers, Matthews & Goodman LLP and supported by surveyors Fisher German.
Gabriel Davies, surveyor at Fisher German, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for a food and beverage operator to occupy premises on the prestigious grounds of Croxteth Country Park. The Stables Café has the potential to cater for thousands of weekly park visitors, all currently without somewhere to relax in a cosy environment.
“We are looking for an experienced operator eager to enhance the current food and beverage offering and to provide an essential park amenity.” St George’s Hall café is situated within the visitor entrance at St George’s Place, close to Lime Street Station and Queen Square Bus Station.
The building is visited by 300,000 people every year, either through appointments at the Liverpool Register Office, or via tourism through guided tours or attendance at the immersive experience, The History Whisperer. The café is currently being operated on a short-term basis by the social enterprise company, 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. Cllr Harry Doyle, cabinet member for culture and visitor economy, said: “We are fortunate to have fantastic cultural buildings and public spaces in our city and we want to make sure that we attract a wide range of visitors and give them the opportunity to spend time within them.
“The consultation we carried out at Croxteth Hall last year showed that people want a food and drink outlet, which is why we are now going out to seek expressions of interest for the café. 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.” Angie Redhead, head of Liverpool city assets, added: “We are incredibly excited to be on the look-out for long term operators to take over the cafés at either of these much-loved buildings.
“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 – both of which are situated in historic venues which hold a very special place in the heart of Liverpool’s community.”
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