'At least 15' firms reach out to run wedding venue
LDRSAt least 15 expressions of interest have been registered from local and national companies keen to take on the running of a wedding venue, councillors have been told.
Future bookings at Kirkleatham Walled Garden, in Redcar, were cancelled after its previous operator used an early break clause in its contract to vacate the facility from September.
Redcar and Cleveland Council is due to begin a formal procurement process this month, which would run until the end of July.
While delivering an update at a full meeting of the Labour-led council, deputy leader Carrie Richardson said she was "absolutely confident" a new operator would be secured.
Full refunds
Contractor Elior exercised a break clause available in its contract with the council to relinquish its management of the site from the end of August.
The walled garden, situated off the A174 on the outskirts of Redcar and part of the historic Kirkleatham estate, re-opened to the public in 2021 after a £10m restoration project.
As well as the gardens themselves, which were largely maintained by volunteers, the complex contained a café and events pavilion which regularly hosted weddings and other social functions.
Elior previously said it had contacted those with bookings from September onwards and it is understood to have offered full refunds to those affected, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Redcar and Cleveland CouncilElior's pull-out means the council will take over the remaining lease but Richardson previously said the local authority lacked the skills and capacity to run the venue on a permanent basis.
In a statement last month, the council said Elior's decision to withdraw as operator had caused "great upset" for those who had booked events and it would aim to appoint a replacement as soon as possible.
Elior was handed a so-called concession contract by the council lasting up to 10 years to operate the venue.
This meant that, while some initial direct costs were covered by the council, the local authority would not pay Elior for its services.
Instead the arrangement allowed the council to receive "turnover rent" from the company, subject to adjustments.
The unfolding situation at the walled gardens comes amid a masterplan being drawn up by council officers to maximise the potential of the historic Kirkleatham estate, which has several listed building features.
