Manchester City Council in the UK is inviting Expressions of Interest from potential investment partners to design, build and operate a family attraction on a 5-acre site at Heaton Park.
Heaton Park is a regional destination park known as the ‘Green Lung’ of Manchester. It is the largest municipal park in the UK, covering 640 acres, and is one of the city’s most popular sites, attracting over two million visitors annually. Heaton Park offers woodlands, pasture and a range of other recreational facilities including an animal centre, adventure play, a high ropes and nets course, beekeepers, and a boating lake, as well as cafés and culture. It is located only four miles from Manchester City Centre with excellent road, bus and tram links.
With the proposed new development, Manchester City Council aims to introduce a vibrant, modern approach that reflects this diversity and works hard to fulfil the needs of all visitors. The five-acre site identified for the project is currently home to an existing play area, woodland, café facilities and a boat house building, and is at the heart of the park next to the boating lake. The new attraction will complement its existing facilities and add a new wow factor.
Seeking a unique new family attraction
Heaton Park is planning to present to the market the opportunity to play a key part in the exciting new facility. Expressions of Interest are invited to measure the market’s interest, and interested providers will be invited to a supplier engagement event incorporating a site visit to the proposed location.
The provision of top-quality activities and services in Heaton Park is vital to the improvement and development of the Park’s visitor facilities, adding to the visitor experience and helping to turn a good visit into a great one.
Manchester City Council is looking to add a family attraction with an indoor offer to keep families and visitors engaged, excited and desperate to return. It aims to work with a partner to introduce a brand-new family attraction that is bespoke and unique and becomes a visitor destination in itself.
Whether the idea is bringing the forest indoors, creating an indoor splash stream or a unique adventure play, the team is open to ideas that potential partners have for this special place.
Heaton Park is an award-winning park and proudly displays the Green Flag and Green Heritage awards. The Beekeepers and the Heritage Tramway have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service prestigious lifetime award.
Click here for more information and to submit your Expression of Interest. The results of this market engagement will inform the council’s decision on going out to market with a full specification.
Please note the EOI has now closed. For info please contact Pete O’Brien, Project Manager directly on pete.o’brien@manchester.gov.uk.
