Decision details

Cabinet considered a report recommending that activity to market the Winter Gardens to a suitable partner organisation begins, in line with the decision taken on 22 September 2022. The report set out the headlines of the brief for the appointment of a specialist agent to support the marketing. This report recommended that a further report be presented to Cabinet once marketing has been completed, setting out the detailed recommendations for the disposal of the building by means of a long-term lease or sale.

Cabinet agreed that:

1. A specialist marketing agency is appointed, as set out in section 4 to the report;

2. The Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet member for Economic Development, approves the marketing particulars for the Winter Gardens and the evaluation matrix to be used to assess operator and/or JV submissions;

3. A further report be considered by Cabinet following the completion of the marketing and evaluation exercise, setting out detailed proposals.

Approval of the recommendations will enable the council to proceed with appointing a specialist marketing agency, producing a detailed marketing information pack and launching a marketing campaign, designed to attract sustainable investment proposals from organisations with relevant experience, expertise and resourcing proposals.

Cabinet considered whether to amend or reject the proposals. The recommendations set out will enable the council to proceed with the marketing of the Winter Gardens. Amending or rejecting the proposals risks delaying this process.