Spinnaker Tower Operator

Description

Portsmouth City Council - the 'Council' - with support from its appointed leasing consultants Colliers - is seeking to engage with visitor attraction / leisure operators to explore options for the future operation of the Spinnaker Tower. The Council is seeking to engage with appropriately qualified & experienced operators directly in 1-1 on-line TEAMS meetings. The meetings will take place between 24th - 28th November and 10 slots are available which will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Further details in respect of dates, timings and booking process can be found within the "Spinnaker Tower - Occupier PME Brief' located within the document set on InTend. The link to the site can be found here - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/portsmouthcc/aspx/home The feedback gained form operators will be used to inform the strategy for the subsequent competitive bidding process which will be deployed to secure an operator. It is envisaged that the bidding process will commence in early 2026 to allow for award in early Summer 2026 ahead of commencement of the new arrangements which are envisaged to start on 7th October 2026. The Council anticipates partnering with an established operator who will invest in and reinvigorate the Tower, and the surrounding land to create an exciting new leisure destination. Whilst the Council's current preferred position would be let to the new arrangements on an operating lease basis the Council is keen to investigate a spectrum of operational, commercial and legal options, some of which may fall under the scope of the Procurement Act 23. Please note, in line with the Procurement Act 23 the Council have provided a term duration within this notice. The Council is seeking to discuss term duration with interested parties in the preliminary market engagement. To ensure that the engagement process would not lead to complications if a bidding process is undertaken which needs to comply with the Procurement Act 23, and in general interests of transparency and fair and equal treatment, the Council has instigated this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) process via issue of a PME Notice on the Central Government Find a Tender Service / Central Digital Platform. This allows for all suitably qualified and experienced operators to engage with this process should they wish, rather than just those known to the Council and its consultant agent. In undertaking this PME exercise the Council is seeking to gain insight from operators in respect of: • Market experience, capacity & interest • Options for development of the visitor offer, site uses & continuing position as a key landmark of the wider Solent region • Options for operating models, roles & responsibilities, legal structures & partnership working • Commercial options, investment, funding, return & risk • Competitive bidding options, process & programme The Council's process and timetable for undertaking the PME process is set out below. The Council is not able to provide further details for the formal procurement process at this point but will provide further information as this is developed. - Issue PME Notice on Find a Tender Service - 13th November 2025 - Publish PME Brief & supporting documents on In-Tend 13th November 2025 - Target deadline for 1-1 meetings expression of interest - ASAP & ideally no later than 21st November 2025 17:00 - 1-1 engagement meetings - 24th-28th November 2025 - Development of market informed next steps recommendations report - December 2025 The Council will administrate the preliminary market engagement process using its e-sourcing system In-Tend which will be used for: • Access to and issue of information and documentation • Clarification requests and response • Expression of interest submission • Allocation of 1-1 meeting slots • Issue of Preliminary Market Engagement High Level Summary and Operator Specific summaries for review and agreement