The Request for Proposals for the redevelopment of the West Hill Café, including an interpretation experience to tell the story of Hastings Castle, has closed.
The submission process for the Request for Proposals for the redevelopment of the West Hill Café was open from 25 March until 12 noon on 3 June 2024. Due to the pre-election period, this update was delayed in being published.
The Request for Proposals followed on from the Expression of Interest which was launched in October last year.
Hastings Borough Council would like to appoint an experienced partner within the Cultural Assets sector, to develop, operate, and maintain the West Hill Café as a quality food and beverage facility as well as a springboard for innovative education and experience telling the story of Hastings Castle.
The response to the Request for Proposals has been positive, and the council recently hosted two open days for interested parties. This was attended by 8 organisations held across two days in April and May.
The next stage is to assess the proposals, this will involve a two-stage evaluation process, the first stage will be conducted by council asset, finance, legal and regeneration officers and the second stage will be an external panel assessment, facilitated by the council and will include interviews.
The preferred bidder will also need investment panel and Town Deal board approval, and finally confirmation from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Consultants, Blue Horizon Ventures, pulled together a detailed prospectus outlining the key aims and outputs of the project, key dates and assessment process and timeline which can be viewed here
If you would like further details on the evaluation process or have any questions, please email towndeal@hastings.gov.uk
In 2021 Hastings was one of 101 UK towns to receive a share of the Government’s Towns Fund to kickstart the regeneration of the town with funding of £24.3m. Earlier this year the Town Deal Board approved the project’s business case and the council has allocated £3m of Town Deal money to invest in the project. The council issued an Expression of Interest to gauge market interest in October 2023 and following a positive response, the council is now looking for experienced partners to help deliver the project.