A DECISION has been made to delay appointing a new operator for a popular park cafe - allowing its current licence holders to keep their ‘much-loved’ business going.
Burnley Council had appointed Park Life Cafes as the new operators of the Rotunda Kiosk in the Riverside Car Park, Townley Park in Burnley – however bosses have now confirmed the deal won’t be going ahead.
Dozens of people were outraged to hear the news that current operators Caffeine Rush Pendle were to be ousted following a tendering process which identified three potential new organisations to take over the premises.
However it has now been announced that the deal with Park Life Cafes, the company which is also set to run the park’s Stable Café once it reopens later in the year, is not to go ahead.
Councillor Sue Graham, the council’s executive member for resources and performance, said: “After listening to park users and the current operators the council has taken the decision to delay awarding the tender for this site until the autumn.
“This will allow the current operators an opportunity to re-tender and will ensure that the council still can demonstrate value for money.
“The rotunda has been successfully run for a number of years by the current operators and is much loved by those who use it.”
Burnley Council say that the original re-tendering process was carried out in a ‘proper and efficient manner’.
A release from the authority reads: “Burnley Council has re-tendered the opportunity to operate the catering kiosk at the rotunda on Riverside car park in Towneley Park, Burnley.
“Three organisations submitted tenders which were evaluated using a combination of the quality of service offered and the fee that will be paid to the council.
“The tender was won by Park Life Cafes, which offered the highest fee and the best quality offer. This is the same firm that will be operating the park’s Stables café once refurbishment work is completed.
“However, with agreement from the company, the council has decided not to proceed with the transfer to Park Life Cafes because the company is concentrating on its refurbishment of the Stables café.
“The rotunda kiosk will continue to be operated by the current operators and it will be re-tendered later in the year as an open tender on the council's website and advertised in a local newspaper.
“The council is obliged to obtain best value, which means that similar opportunities are periodically tendered on the open market. The current operators won the concession on two occasions through the same tendering process.
“All the income that is received from catering operations in Towneley, together with car parking income, contributes to the maintenance of the park.
“The council is continuing to work with Park Life Cafes, which is making a substantial investment in the Stables café and is looking forward to its re-opening in May.”
Louis Dixon, managing director of Park Life Cafes, said: "Our company is committed to making a meaningful economic contribution to the community in which our team and customers live and work.
“We are looking forward to opening the Stables Café and welcoming park visitors to our super new venue.
“Our team fully supports the council's decision."
Jean Holt, of current licence holders Caffeine Rush Pendle, said: “We are grateful that the council has allowed us to continue operating the kiosk and to re-tender for the licence later this year.”
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