Horsham District Council ("the Council") seeks to appoint a single Market Operator to manage, develop, promote and operate the Horsham Markets portfolio from 1st January 2027.
The Council's requires the appointed Market Operator to:
Maintain successful and commercially sustainable markets.
Support local producers, independent businesses and start-up enterprises.
Enhance Horsham's reputation as a destination town.
Generate income for the Council.
Deliver high standards of safety, presentation and customer experience.
Support the town centre economy and wider stakeholder objectives.
Promote sustainability and responsible business practices.
The Operator shall be responsible for the management, operation, marketing, development and continuous improvement of all markets covered by this contract.
The contract will run for 5 years and a 1 year extension option. For Carfax and Bishopric/West Street Markets in Horsham. This has been identified as a concession contract.
Full details and documents: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/sesharedservices/aspx/ProjectManage/39110
Horsham District Council intends to commence a formal procurement process for a new leisure operating contract and is undertaking a Preliminary Market Engagement exercise.
The current contract with Places Leisure is due to expire in November 2027 and includes the following facilities:
- Pavilions in the Park
- The Bridge Leisure Centre
- Billingshurst Leisure Centre
- Steyning Leisure Centre
In preparation for the procurement of a new contract, the Council adopted a new Active Wellbeing Strategy in March 2026. This new policy document sets out the Council's ambition to shift from a conventional leisure model, focused primarily on traditional facilities and activities, towards a broader Active Wellbeing service. One which continues to meet the needs of those already active and engaged but which also focuses on less active populations in support of wider health and social outcomes.
The procurement of a new leisure operating contract represents a key opportunity to align the role of the operator with the Council's strategic ambitions, ensuring that future service delivery actively contributes to more meaningful outcomes for residents.
The Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy (SLC) is supporting the Council with this market engagement exercise and throughout the subsequent procurement process.
The purpose of this exercise is to secure early engagement with the market and to test some of the Council's initial thinking on key elements of the new contract and procurement approach in order to inform the development of a clear Procurement Strategy.
The attached documents provide some high-level information on the facilities in scope; the potential development opportunities identified through the Active Wellbeing Investment Strategy and the proposed timescale for the procurement.
The Council are seeking confidential responses to a brief set of questions which explore potential partnership options. This will inform the Council's approach to the development of its Procurement Strategy and contract documents.
Please submit your responses to the questions within the separate submission document available on the In-Tend portal. Responses should be submitted to the Council, via the portal, by 5pm on Wednesday 8 July 2026.
The Council welcomes questions from organisations participating in this market engagement exercise and is willing to facilitate confidential discussions with interested parties.
Please submit any questions or requests for meetings via the In-Tend messaging system.
