Decision details

The Senior Business Transformation Officer submitted a report outlining the business case for a project to commercialise the Market Hall café and to request approval to carry out the project with the allocation of a capital budget from the service improvement fund for refurbishment of the Market Hall café. The café had been identified as a significant commercial opportunity for the Council as the current café provision had not achieved the commercial and reputational aims that the Council expected as the retail anchor.

The key aims of the project were to improve the catering offer provided in the Market Hall, boost footfall for all businesses within the building and provide a high quality, profitable café operated by the Council. The aims of the project had been designed to contribute towards the following corporate plan 2015-2019 priorities and values:

·        to make Chesterfield a thriving borough,

·        to develop a great town centre,

·        to improve the quality of life for local people,

·        to increase the quality of public space for which the council has responsibility,

·        to provide value for money services, and

·        customer focus.

In addition, a strategic case had been established which presented an opportunity to contribute towards the Council’s 2020 financial self-sufficiency aspiration.

The report noted the outcomes from a detailed business and market investigation that had been undertaken and provided details of the target footfall in comparison with key competitors in the town centre. In addition, the Council run café would support local businesses by using local suppliers and produce, and establish the Council’s commercial presence within the market place. There would also be an opportunity to develop a strong scalable catering brand and product that could be used flexibly at other Council sites across the borough.

The financial, human resources and legal implications were included in the report along with details of risk management arrangements, equalities impact assessment and alternative options with reasons for rejection.

*RESOLVED –

1) That the project to operate the café in the Market Hall as a commercial function be approved.

2) That a capital budget of £72,400 from the service improvement fund be approved for the refurbishment of the Market Hall café.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

1) The business case presents a commercial opportunity that will contribute significantly towards the council’s 2020 financial self-sufficiency aspiration.

2) The project also contributes to the following council plan (2015/19) priorities and values:

·        to make Chesterfield a thriving borough,

·        to develop a great town centre,

·        to improve the quality of life for local people,

·        to increase the quality of public space for which the council has responsibility,

·        to provide value for money services, and

·        customer focus.

3) The project will create positive links with local suppliers.