Key information
Request reference number: MGLA200723-2284
Date of response:
Summary of request
Your request
- I’d like to submit a request to see the expenditure and full commissions that Royal Docks have made in the previous 3 financial years, including this year to date. This includes to businesses, not for profits, and any specific projects which may have been run.
- It would also be useful to see any documentation referencing the desired benefits from the spend and whether any objectives have been met from any of the commissions. If this doesn’t exist, a document outlining what the key objectives and measures are of any commission and spend would also be desirable. I would like to see all the information available regarding specifically the café in Thames Barrier Park. This includes payments or commissions made to any occupier over the last 5 years. Any other linked communication on this would also be desired - such as any discussions for plans for the space or objectives for any proposals. This would also include the full details on the previous tender process - how it was carried out, the bids which were submitted, how the tenant was chosen and the agreement that was in place including any payments and linked transactions or projects the winning tenant may have carried out in partnership with Royal Docks prior to winning the bid.
Our response
To locate and retrieve all of the spend and commissions for the whole Royal Docks Programme over the past 3 years would take significantly ore than 18 hours of staff time. We have therefore refused this request under the cost limit provisions of section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act and this letter therefore constitutes a refusal notice under section 17(1) of the Act.
Under our section 16 duty to advise and assist, I can inform you that some information relating to spend can be found within the Enterprise Zone board papers: Our boards | Royal Docks
To the extent that the first part of your request relates to the Thames Barrier Park, I can inform you of the following:
The desired outcomes centred around activation of the café, increasing footfall and enhanced use of Royal Docks largest green space creating a community hub.
The GLA is looking for a tenant with the passion and vision to transform the café into a much-needed welcoming community hub. The premises could be used as restaurant / café, but could also provide a space for community events in addition (subject to planning).
The key objectives as detailed in the brief included;
- To create a unique resource at the TBP café; providing a refreshed food and beverage offer, complimented by a programme of inspiring, interactive and fun events and activities aimed at the whole community
- Helping to build a sense of coherence and place identity for TBP, connecting to the neighbouring businesses and community centres
- To provide a programme of events and activities to enhance visitor numbers to the park, to increase turnover of the café whilst also enhancing the leisure uses in the park
- To consider the proposed community centre/workspace units planned to be located opposite the park as part of Pontoon Dock Development from 2020 onwards. We believe there will be potential to co-develop programming. Developing this relationship will support the integration of the new neighbourhood and enhance the connection to the park.
- To work with the Royal Docks Team to identify and share new opportunities to help develop their programme further
- Where possible, to link and promote locally sourced food and beverage operators
- Support future applications to the Green Flag Award (completed by the Royal Dock steam) to support the growth and development of a new community in the park
- Explore the option of a social enterprise to manage the café
- Engage the local residential population and businesses in the development of any programming; we expect this to be organic and grow as interest in the café space develops
- Increase the footfall to the park and café
- Generate profit
- Connect to the wider park and deliver larger scale events, using the events lawn within the park
- Create a flexible community space
- Provide skills/training opportunities
- Provide a base/link for bigger events on the green/in the park
- Inspire residents and visitors to become more actively involved in the park
- Consider the requirements of the local community and demographic makeup for the F&B offer, i.e. Halal, vegetarian, allergies etc
- Price F&B and events (where relevant) comparable with local competitors and affordable to the local community
- Explore the possibility of having an alcoholic drinks licence at the café
- Work with the Royal Docks Team on developing a sophisticated multi-channel marketing strategy
In response to Part 2 of your request:
June 2018
- A new tender was published for the long-term opportunity for a new operator to run and manage TBP Café with a 6.5 year lease. The opportunity was published on the Royal Docks website, social media and operators were contacted through our mailing lists
- 8 applications were received and 5 shortlisted for interviews
- Peoples Kitchen were selected as the winning applicant
- Peoples Kitchen were also awarded £10,000 towards their Crowdfunding scheme to support programming and works at the café
- £1,000 per calendar month plus 5% profit per annum. Rent to be monthly in advance
- Rent free period will be granted until the Final Completion Date of the Pontoon Dock Development has occurred
- For a term of six years and six months from the date of completion
The tender responses were assessed and scored by members of the Royal Docks Team and TfL Estates using the scoring detailed below. They were assessed on three categories, including their previous experience (25%), their proposal (35%), Resources and staffing (10%) and the rental offer (30%). The applicants scoring the highest, were then invited to an interview to discuss their proposal and rental offer further. The chosen applicant was selected due to their experience in stakeholder and community engagement, events programming and competitive rental offer. Their overall score was substantially higher than other applicants.