Description
South Holland District Council is currently exploring options and opportunities to support the growth, development and future sustainability of its flagship Theatre venue - the South Holland Centre (SHC).
Opened in 1998 the Centre is a versatile venue staging live theatre and music shows, cinema, clubs and workshops. The 3-storey premises’ current primary function is as a local theatre with 342 seat auditorium, live performances programme and growing in popularity Christmas Pantomime. The venue also boasts a first-floor bar and café area, and second floor large multi-function hall with separate bar/café and kitchen area. It has close partnership links with Ayscoughfee Hall Museum and Gardens for large functions, such as weddings.
South Holland District Council is interested to explore the opportunities and benefits that could be derived from contracting with a specialist external partner and is subsequently inviting Expressions of Interest from suitably experienced successful culture and business operators.
Additionally, in parallel to this market testing exercise, and by way of ensuring all options are fully considered, the Council is exploring the benefits of potentially including the SHC as part of its leisure operator contract, aligned to the management and operation of the Castle Sports Complex - soon to be new Health and Wellbeing Hub.
The Council intends to consider all options and opportunities in May of this year to help in determining the most appropriate and beneficial delivery arrangement for SHC in the medium to long term, and subsequently is presenting this opportunity now to inform that process.