Provision of catering services to the Royal Hospital Chelsea

Award outcome

Description

The catering contract at the Royal Hospital Chelsea (RHC) Soane Stables Café and associated detailed events spaces within the tender is due to be mobilised on March 2024 on and fully operational by July 2024 and caterers are invited to present detailed proposals for the catering tender process. Our prime focus is to appoint a caterer who will provide catering services for The Royal Hospital Chelsea day visitors within the Soane Stables Café, and operate to a successful supporting event business as detailed within the tender upon which a commission will be paid. The Royal Hospital Chelsea (RHC) is situated in 66 acres of grounds in the heart of Chelsea. It encapsulates magnificent buildings designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Sir John Soane. Home to the iconic veteran community known as the 'Chelsea Pensioners' since 1692, RHC is a unique working historic building with a wealth of socio-military, natural and architectural heritage. In autumn 2022, Royal Hospital Chelsea secured a £3.2million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore and adapt the Grade II* Stables, designed by Sir John Soane, into a Visitor, Outreach and Heritage Centre. This will provide an improved visitor welcome and relocate all public facing facilities and services to the Chelsea Gate entrance of the site, immediately adjacent to the National Army Museum. Within the Centre there will be a café, new shop, free permanent exhibition and an outreach space. The Soane Stables project is seen as transformative for the organisation and will: Work with local communities, including resident Chelsea Pensioners, to test, design and deliver improved interpretation, alongside a relevant and meaningful activity programme. Inspire diverse audiences to become involved in and learn about RHC's heritage, ranging from veterans' histories to our urban green spaces. Ensure the last undeveloped cultural site on Royal Hospital Road becomes fully accessible, strengthening the area as a heritage destination, blending local distinctiveness with national significance Visitors will have free access to the Soane Stables, including a series of new gallery spaces, an immersive multi-media experience, outreach space, The Café, Shop and Post Office. During opening hours (09.00-17.00 seven days per week) the Chelsea Gate will be swung open, and visitors will gain unobstructed access to the Soane Stables from Royal Hospital Road. They will then enter the Soane Stables through the archway and pass into the Stable Yard. A second entrance allows access to visitors to and from the National Army Museum, on the western elevation. The Soane Stables events within the courtyard buildings (18.00 until Midnight) will form part of the contract alongside Wren House which will be made available for private hire from 2024 and will be exclusive to the appointed caterer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (9:00 -17:00)

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