Parks Mobile Concessions Programme, 2025

Timeframe & Assessment of Bids

• Applications will be considered for their suitability for each site and scored out of five by a series of criteria, which is available to view in the last few pages of the application form. The minimum threshold for appointment is two points on each of the questions.

• Only one stall will be permitted to operate at a time on any site, on a highest scoring / first-come-first-served basis throughout the programme.
• In the event that a promising bid is submitted for a site which has already been assigned, the operator will be contacted and alternative sites will be discussed and offered as appropriate.

• All applications received between 17 March and 13 April will be assessed as one group and scored accordingly. From 13 April onwards, applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Pitches will be awarded to the highest-scoring bidder. High-scoring unsuccessful bidders will be contacted and offered alternative appropriate pitches, if available.

• In the event two applications are received for the same site within two weeks of each other, they will both be assessed and the preferred site awarded to the applicant who scores highest on our evaluation matrix. High-scoring unsuccessful bidders will be offered an alternative site, if available.

• The maximum contract length will be for 184 days (from 30 April – 31 October 2025) and the minimum will be for 61 days (1 September – 31 October 2025). Vendors are required to specify the preferred length of contract as part of their application.

• Successful applications will be charged an initial £100 administration fee, followed by their proposed pitch license fee monthly in arrears.

Key Information and Green Requirements

• We encourage applicants to carefully consider any power supply needed, waste disposal, and recycling throughout the process. In the event you require electrical or water hookup on site, we would expect your business case to include details on the expected requirements of the equipment to be plugged in.

• Clean, environmentally-friendly operating is a mandatory requirement of this process. Applicants may be excluded if they do not meet a minimum standard for operation within a green space.

• Any operation will be asked to demonstrate environmental responsibility by limiting their carbon footprint across all aspects of operation, including their mobile catering unit, food sourcing and recycling.
  

• Provider will need to supply their own bin and offer a solution to litter issues such as litter picks or waste-free supply. Waste must be taken off-site by vendor at end of each day.

• Any necessary food inspection standards must be met (Starting your food business safely | Food Standards Agency)

• Public liability requirements must be met (details here)

• Operating times are to be determined by the vendor within the business case, although all vendors are expected to offer a minimum of three hours on site a day over minimum three days a week.

• Vendors will be permitted to trade from their pitch in any time window during daylight hours.

• Applicants should where possible encourage local employment, training opportunities, and outreach programmes from charities or other organisations.We will favour bids that offer positive social value.

• Sites can be applied to individually or as a ‘batch’, combining multiple sites. For example sites that are close together such as Thornbury and Inwood could be combined and covered by a single provider travelling between them. Minimum hour requirements could be adjusted in a proposal covering multiple sites.

• Bids which require a temporary structure or installation to be left on site for the period of operation (such as a small shed, stall, or padlocked bike) will be considered at our discretion.
  If the vendor seeks to leave equipment on site, this is left at the vendor’s risk.Vendor equipment is not permitted to stay on site overnight unless otherwise noted.

• A pitch fee offer must be included in the business case

• Any necessary licenses to trade must be provided

• Licensees must provide all sales information at the end of each month of the license period

• We require sales information of successful applicants (number of sales, total gross and net income) to be shared with us, in order to help build a case for the expansion of this programme in future years.