Opportunity to Provide Catering Services within the Energy Central Learning Hub
BACKGROUND
Energy Central Campus (ECC) is a unique partnership between the Port of Blyth, Northumberland County Council and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, with a mission to create the pipeline of talent required for the expanding clean energy sector. Based in Blyth, SE Northumberland and with a social and educational purpose, it will inspire, train and deliver routes to employment for the local community and wider region.
The first phase of ECC, Energy Central Learning Hub (ECLH), is nearing completion of build and due to open in late summer 2024. The ECLH is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) education and vocational training facility including:
Workshops and classrooms supporting vocational training for young people including sector-facing T levels
A major regional STEM Hub (STEM@Energy Central), to inspire young learners and highlight the excellent career opportunities in the clean energy sector
Specialist electrical, mechanical and digital skills training facilities
Conferencing and events space for up to 250 people
A clean energy Visitor Centre and Exhibition space, including immersive 3D technology
Initially it is anticipated that 120+ students and staff will operate from the ECLH (inc adjacent buildings), rising as the facility becomes established.
SCOPE FOR PROVISION OF CATERING SERVICES
Expressions of Interest are invited for the contract to provide catering services within the ECLH on the following basis:
Initial 1 year contract with potential for subsequent longer term agreement
Provision of catering services for staff/students, timings to be confirmed but to include lunchtime 5 days per week excluding bank holidays
A Catering / dining area is being provided on the first floor of the ECLH (final layout to be confirmed). Basic facilities to include sink, worktops and plug points, with the appointed contractor to provide all other equipment/facilities required to provide the catering services
It is expected that the appointed contractor will provide a good quality, varied offering including healthy options. Menu likely to include cold sandwiches/wraps etc together with pre-prepared reheatable items eg. soup, hot sandwiches/paninis etc
Menus need to consider the customer base in terms of content and affordability
Appointed contractor to be able to demonstrate successful previous experience in providing catering services
Appointed contractor to maintain high standards of hygiene and general cleanliness in the preparation, handling and serving of food and beverages and ensure compliance with all statutory requirements
There will be the opportunity to bid for/provide other catering opportunities from within ECLH (conferencing, buffets for meetings/working lunches etc) but these would be subject to separate discussions and cannot be guaranteed
FURTHER INFORMATION & DEADLINE
For further information please contact: Steve Rutland, Project Manager, Energy Central Campus Tel: 0781 2030536 Email: Steve.Rutland@publicvalue.co.uk
Please note that all Expressions of Interest must also be submitted to Steve Rutland (contact details above) by 9AM. Tuesday 28th May 2024.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY
The adjacent Blyth Boathouse is also due to reopen as a cafe/restaurant in late summer 2024 and there is an opportunity for interested parties to also bid/express interest in becoming the tenant for this facility. See separate Blyth Boathouse document linked here. For further details contact: James Brown, Customer Services Manager, Port of Blyth, Tel: 01670 357003
Email: commercial@portofblyth.co.uk
