Opportunity to operate a new café in Grove Park, Weston-super-Mare
North Somerset Council is giving food and beverage operators the opportunity to compete for a new 15-year concession for a café in Weston-super-Mare’s historical Grove Park.
The council is seeking an operator who shares its values regarding sustainability, inclusivity, and supporting the local economy to occupy the space. Ideal applicants should offer top-notch food and beverages, demonstrate strong environmental and social values, prioritize local suppliers, employees, and products, and create a welcoming space that caters to various cultural, religious, and dietary needs.
This move signifies the revival of a ‘key community facility’ that underwent a temporary closure to undergo ‘significant enhancements’ as part of the Improving Weston initiative. Positioned in a ‘prime’ south-facing location within the park, the café space is a part of a Grade II registered Victorian green area that boasts a traditional bandstand, war memorial, kids’ play area, ponds, rock gardens, and Jill’s Garden, a tribute to Jill Dando.
Grove Park is known for hosting community events such as Pride, the Festival of Eid, summer picnics, bandstand concerts, and the Glow Festival of Light. Moreover, there is a volunteer group dedicated to supporting the park through various activities.
With an award of £20 million from the UK Government, Grove Park is one of North Somerset Council’s projects under the Improving Weston scheme. The objective of this initiative is to attract more visitors to the green space from the town center, boosting foot traffic to support local businesses.
The project has resulted in the redesign of the main entrance, installation of new seating, sustainable drainage systems, cycle racks, resurfacing, and enhanced signage. Additionally, an old toilet block was removed and replaced with new accessible toilets along with baby-changing facilities near the café.
Interested operators can now apply for the concession opportunity on the Supplying the South West procurement portal. Registration on the portal is a prerequisite for bidding, with a deadline set for Thursday, April 16, 2026. Support for bidders is available from ProActis, and detailed tender documents, inspection reports, and site visit arrangements can be obtained by contacting [email protected].
The council emphasized that the café building is a blank canvas with an open-plan layout, external storage, and outdoor seating, awaiting transformation into a sought-after venue.
Councillor Mike Solomon, responsible for parks and open spaces on the council’s cabinet, expressed excitement about the opportunity for a creative operator to be part of Grove Park’s future, as the site nears completion of improvement works and prepares to welcome back the café to breathe new life into the area.