URL: https://democracy.manchester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1177

Decision Maker: Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods)

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To contract an operator to provide a Christmas offering in Albert Square including an Ice Rink, Christmas Markets and other attractions.

Content: To contract an operator to provide a Christmas offering in Albert Square including an Ice Rink, Christmas Markets and other attractions. The appointment of a Provider for the Provision of Installation and Operation of Christmas Attractions from 2027 for a period of 3 years with 2 optional 12 month extensions.   The appointment of a Provider for the Provision of Installation and Operation of Christmas Attractions Concession Contract following a competitive tender exercise via the open procedure.   •           Approach led by the return of Albert Square for public use, the completion of The Town Hall Project and switching the location of the ice rink from Cathedral Gardens to a much more suitable site in Albert Square. •           Estimated value of the contract(s) and contract term Projected income over 5 years is £2,920,024.70 and profit share over 5 years is £544,785.82 which would be a total of £3,464,810.52. •           The procurement approach was to go out to the market using the open procedure to attract as much competition as possible and provide the most innovative Christmas Attractions to Manchester to align with the reopening of Albert Square. •           We have an in-house markets team that provide Christmas attractions elsewhere, but it was felt that Albert Square should offer something different to the rest of the city, especially after a sustained period of time of being out of action. The procurement exercise has allowed Manchester City Council to assess a wide range of potential offerings from bidders across the UK. •           The contract includes a number of Key Performance Indicators which will be tracked and managed by the contract manager, alongside the social value commitments from the winning suppliers.    Insourcing was considered against the other bids, but on the grounds that this is a specialist area, and there is a need for multiple suppliers to create the event, it was felt council would not be able to satisfactorily recruit the expertise required. The internal team are also already focused on numerous other sites and projects at this time of year.   An alternative would have been to do a combined event with other local authorities but this was deemed to be not appropriate.

Date of Decision: September 2, 2026