Exciting Business Opportunity at St Ives Guildhall – Could You Run This New Food & Drink Spot?

The renewal of St Ives Guildhall is gathering momentum, and an exciting opportunity has now opened for businesses to submit expressions of interest in running the venue’s new daytime food and beverage offer. With the Guildhall set to reopen in early 2026, St Ives Town Council is inviting proposals from experienced hospitality professionals to become an integral part of this historic venue’s future.

A Venue with a Rich History

Since 1939, the Guildhall has played a central role in the local community, hosting live performances, civic events, weddings, and weekly markets. With a £3.1 million investment secured through the St Ives Town Deal as part of the Government’s £19.9 million Towns Fund, work is well underway to transform the building. The vision is for the Guildhall to become a key live performance venue for West Cornwall, with regional and national cultural significance.

A Unique Opportunity for Hospitality Businesses

As part of this transformation, St Ives Town Council is looking for a food and drink operator who can deliver high-quality experiences to complement the venue’s new direction. The successful business will not only provide a strong daytime offer but will also work collaboratively with the Guildhall team to shape and refine the service.

Councillor Kirsty Arthur, Chair of the Facilities Committee, said:

“We are really pleased to be able to offer this partnership opportunity as part of our ongoing development for the Guildhall. We know there are so many hard-working and passionate individuals working within the hospitality sector and we are open to considering innovative proposals and alternative delivery models.

“We are keen to seek expressions of interest at this early stage as we want whoever is successful to be an integral part of the design and delivery process for the new service.”

What the Guildhall Is Looking For

The ideal business will:

• Have significant experience in the catering industry and a strong track record.
• Be open to collaboration and co-located working.
• Be committed to excellent customer service, offering competitively priced food in a welcoming atmosphere.
• Be flexible and able to embrace the multifunctional nature of the venue.
• Have a brand identity and values that align with the Guildhall’s vision.

How to Apply

Businesses interested in this opportunity can find full details and submission information at stivesguildhall.co.uk/fb-expressions-of-interest/ or by emailing Tenders@stives-tc.gov.uk.

The deadline for proposals is 14th March 2025.

This is a rare chance to play a key role in shaping the future of one of St Ives’ most iconic venues. Will your business be the one to take it on?