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Sheffield Arena, City Hall, IceSheffield, the English Institute of Sport, Ponds Forge and other big facilities are currently run by Sheffield City Trust (SCT) which has managed them on behalf of the council for decades.

SCT decided to hand back all of them to the council following financial struggles.

In a report updating city leaders on the progress of finding a new contractor, Ajman Ali, executive director of operational services, said it would be best to split up the sites to ensure people with the right expertise are looking after them.

Sheffield Council is considering splitting the city’s biggest leisure and entertainment venues between multiple operators in a bid to improve them. Picture: Dean Woolley

He said: “We have spoken to several sport and leisure operators in recent months to help us shape the development of our procurement strategy and understand the appetite within the market to operate our sport and leisure venues.

“We are confident there is an appetite in the market for the management of Sheffield’s facilities.

“Following feedback from the market we expect the tender will be put out in two separate lots, one for sport and leisure (including golf) and a further lot for entertainment (Arena and City Hall).

“The breakdown of the lots will be explored further as the procurement strategy is developed to ensure we get an operator with the appropriate skills and expertise to run each part of the estate.”

Getting a good deal for Sheffield

The council is insisting on various conditions to ensure the right operators take on the venues.

For sports and leisure these include: concessionary pricing that is at least 30 per cent less than main prices, working towards a ‘zero to landfill’ waste contract, reduced carbon footprint and water consumption, secure cycle parking at every facility, community outreach programmes, and offering apprenticeships and training courses.

Mr Ali said: “It is expected that development of a detailed specification for services will help enhance the offer to customers and communities.

“An improved offer will attract and retain increased participation and usage of venues.”

The council is developing a procurement strategy with a detailed specification and aiming for new operators to run the facilities from 2024.

The full council update can be found here: https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/documents/s55528/Leisure%20Procurement%20Update%20Nov%202022.pdf

Sheffield Council to split leisure and entertainment venues including City Hall and Arena between multiple operators