Opportunity Overview
Portsmouth City Council ("the Council") is inviting tenders from suitably qualified and experienced catering and events operators for the delivery of catering and events services at Southsea Castle, under a long term commercial arrangement comprising a combination of rental income and an incentivised revenue share mechanism.
The council is using a single stage competitive flexible procedure for the procurement of this contract, which includes conditions of participation and detailed tender proposals to be submitted at the same time.
The procurement is structured into two alternative lots which represent different contract term options for the same service requirement:
• Lot 1: Initial term of 5 years with the option to extend by up to 5 years
• Lot 2: Initial term of 7 years with the option to extend by up to 3 years
Tenderers are invited to submit a response for one lot only, selecting the contract term option which best reflects their proposed delivery model, investment approach and commercial offer.
The Council intends to award a single contract under either Lot 1 or Lot 2, based on the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT).
Award of the contract is targeted for 21st September 2026. The successful operator will be required to seamlessly commence operations under a lease with associated concession arrangement from 1st February 2027 following expiry of the lease held with the current incumbent operator on 31st January 2027.
Southsea Castle
Southsea Castle, built in 1544 by King Henry VIII as part of his coastal defence scheme, is a historic, Scheduled Ancient Monument and a site of national importance.
Southsea Castle now operates as a visitor attraction and museum, restaurant, and historic wedding & events venue. The Castle attracts upwards of 10,000 visitors per month over the summer season and offers members of the public free access to the castle keep, ramparts, shop & viewing rooms from April - October.
The restaurant in Southsea Castle is open all year round, and...
The council is using a single stage competitive flexible procedure for the procurement of this contract, which includes conditions of participation and detailed tender proposals to be submitted at the same time.
The procurement is structured into two alternative lots which represent different contract term options for the same service requirement:
• Lot 1: Initial term of 5 years with the option to extend by up to 5 years
• Lot 2: Initial term of 7 years with the option to extend by up to 3 years
Tenderers are invited to submit a response for one lot only, selecting the contract term option which best reflects their proposed delivery model, investment approach and commercial offer.
The Council intends to award a single contract under either Lot 1 or Lot 2, based on the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT).
Award of the contract is targeted for 21st September 2026. The successful operator will be required to seamlessly commence operations under a lease with associated concession arrangement from 1st February 2027 following expiry of the lease held with the current incumbent operator on 31st January 2027.
Southsea Castle
Southsea Castle, built in 1544 by King Henry VIII as part of his coastal defence scheme, is a historic, Scheduled Ancient Monument and a site of national importance.
Southsea Castle now operates as a visitor attraction and museum, restaurant, and historic wedding & events venue. The Castle attracts upwards of 10,000 visitors per month over the summer season and offers members of the public free access to the castle keep, ramparts, shop & viewing rooms from April - October.
The restaurant in Southsea Castle is open all year round, and...
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Start FreeSolicitation Details
| Issuing agency | Portsmouth City Council |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Category | Government Procurement |
| Estimated value | $10.4M |
| Published | July 24, 2026 |
| Procurement stage | Request for Proposal (RFP) |
| Response due | August 21, 2026 |
| Status | Open — accepting responses |
| Official source | View original notice |
| Last verified | August 09, 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: UK Government (Find a Tender).
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