Stafford Borough Council is reviewing future delivery arrangements for a range of leisure, culture and heritage services as the current contractual arrangements approach expiry in November 2027. Following completion of an options appraisal, the Council has determined that future leisure services and the Gatehouse Theatre will be considered through separate procurement arrangements. In relation to the Council's heritage portfolio, no final decision has yet been taken regarding the preferred delivery model. The Council is therefore undertaking a Preliminary Market Engagement exercise to explore market appetite, capability and capacity to operate and develop the following heritage assets as a standalone heritage service: • Stafford Castle • Ancient High House • Izaak Walton Cottage The facilities currently form part of a wider leisure, theatre and heritage services contract operated by Freedom Leisure. The Council is seeking views from organisations with experience in heritage management, museums, cultural services, visitor attractions, charitable trusts, educational provision, community based heritage management and related sectors. The Council is particularly interested in understanding: • whether there is sufficient market appetite for a standalone heritage contract; • the types of organisations likely to participate in a future procurement process; • appropriate delivery models and partnership structures; • acceptable levels of risk transfer; • subsidy expectations and financial sustainability opportunities; • opportunities to increase visitor engagement and community impact; and • information requirements that would support participation in a future procurement exercise. This notice relates solely to preliminary market engagement and does not constitute a call for competition, invitation to tender or commitment by the Council to commence a procurement process

Procurement Act 2023

The Council has prepared a market engagement document and questionnaire seeking feedback on the future operation of the heritage portfolio. Interested organisations are invited to review the supporting information and submit a completed questionnaire by 12:00 noon on Friday 6th November 2026. The engagement seeks confidential feedback on the viability of a standalone heritage management contract, potential delivery models, investment opportunities, subsidy requirements, contract structure and operational responsibilities. The Council welcomes responses from heritage trusts, museum operators, charities, cultural organisations, visitor attraction operators, social enterprises, leisure trusts with heritage experience, commercial operators and consortium arrangements. Responses received through this engagement exercise will be used to inform the Council's future decision making regarding the heritage portfolio and any subsequent procurement strategy. For further information and access to the engagement documentation, interested parties should register via the Council's procurement portal and search for this PME notice LINK BELOW https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login#