Tender opportunity: Whisby Natural World Centre near Lincoln

This is an exceptional opportunity to operate Whisby Natural World Centre on behalf of North Kesteven District Council, a regional visitors centre which attracts circa 200,000 visitors each year.

Whisby Natural World Centre is located within Whisby Nature Park, which is managed by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

The centre has a bistro serving local food, a gift shop, children's indoor adventure play and outdoor activity area. The basement has been refurbished to provide an extensive conference exhibition area with meeting room facility for weddings, events and conferences.

The facility has the following covers:

• 106 within the indoor Boardwalk Bistro
• 40 on the outdoor boardwalk
• 48 for the outside Kiosk
• 14 within the Otters Reach café area

The Nature Park offers walks that include lake views, woodland and meadows extending to around 6.5 miles. Routes follow former gravel-pit tracks, reflecting the industrial heritage of the site.

The centre features Little Darters Wildlife Adventure Area with tunnels, bridges and sand pits. Youngsters can watch wildlife in action, go underground in the Cave and climb up the nature exploration towers. There is also the Otter's Reach Indoor Adventure that provides an all-weather experience and an educational resource for younger visitors aged three and upwards.

The business opportunity is for a 10-year management contract from April 2018 with a possible five-year extension including full facility management of the Natural World Centre. Entry to the centre is free although parking charges apply, with the operator retaining the income in the new contract. All existing equipment, furniture, fixtures and fittings will be retained within the facility for the new contract. The contract is subject to EU Procurement Regulations.

A market interest day is being held at Whisby Natural World Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe-on-the-hill, Lincoln LN6 9BW on 24 November 2016. The OJEU notice is expected to be published in mid-December.

For further information or to register for the market interest day please contact the retained consultants, The Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy via northkesteven@sportleisureculture.co.uk or telephone 01444 459927.