Speculative Notice – NATIONAL

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address

1.2

Address from which further information may be obtained

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

Informal Expressions of Interest for Operational management and promotion of the William Aston Hall

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

As landlord of the venue, Wrexham Glyndwr University are now looking for a new tenant/partner to take over the operational management and promotion of the William Aston Hall and are seeking informal expressions of interest in the first instance.

The William Aston Hall is Wrexham's largest theatre and concert venue, ideal for hosting live music, comedy, theatre, dance and much more. Located in the University's main building on the Wrexham campus, the hall has raked seating in its main auditorium and balcony, and is fully accessible with dedicated wheelchair spaces.

It also offers a bar facility and there are more than 1,000 free car parking spaces available. Typically, the venue hosts around 50 shows per annum, with approximately 17,500 customers attending the venue each year.

The William Aston Hall has a capacity of 890 for a seated event or 1200 for a standing event.

In 2018, a £150,000 investment was made to improve the sound system and install a new control system and new lighting. The venue also includes changing rooms, storage space and office accommodation for 2 people.

The University is seeking to negotiate an initial 5 year commitment with a suitable and experienced partner who can provide specialist services in event sourcing, promotion and venue management.

The partner will bring artistic vision and innovation to sustain and develop the William Aston Hall as a professional and community events venue for North East Wales.

The partner should have the ability to call on a bank of contacts and networks from across the Industry in order to enhance and expand the events programme within the venue.

The partner will work with the University to deliver a new and more modern programme that will help with the recruitment of students into the University and be an integral part of their social experience on campus.

The partner will work with the University on ensuring that the branding of the venue and the programme of events supports the University’s values and reputation.

The partner will work with the University to provide work placement opportunities for students and for them to benefit from the partners Industry knowledge.

The partner will work with the University to agree an operating model that is operationally robust and financially sustainable.

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=114533.

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

3 Administrative Information

3.1

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

3.2

Estimated Start of the Award Procedure

4 Other Information

4.1

Additional Information

Expressions of Interest & Contact Details

As landlord of the venue, Wrexham Glyndwr University are now looking for a new tenant/partner to take over the operational management and promotion of the William Aston Hall and are seeking informal expressions of interest in the first instance.

If you wish to register your informal expressions of interest then please send a maximum of 3 sides of A4 response which includes the following:

-Company Background

-Experience of providing operational management and promotion of events for a similar set up as the William Aston Hall for other clients

-Please outline any indicative proposed commercial delivery model that you would want to suggest and explore with the University.

Please send your informal expression of interest response document to :

ebony.banks@glyndwr.ac.uk

Please indicate also in your email, if you would like also to have the opportunity for an appointment with the Director of Operations and the Director of Finance about the venue so that further information can be shared and any queries can be resolved.

The Closing Date for informal expressions of interest responses to be received is Friday 15th October 2021 at 12.00 noon.

Please note this is an informal market intelligence gathering exercise and is not a formal request for detailed proposals to be submitted at this stage. The exercise is to ensure that the University has a better understanding of market and the commercial options available.

Following the completion of this informal market intelligence gathering exercise the University reserves the option of then seeking formal proposals through a public tender advertisement via the Sell2Wales portal and those parties who have expressed an informal interest will also be invited to submit formal proposals.

(WA Ref:114533)

4.2

Download Additional Documentation

4.3

Publication date of this notice