Since August, Shepparton Art Museum Ltd has been working closely with CAF Consulting to develop another expression of interest and tender process for the new SAM cafe.
The move followed opposition from commercial hospitality providers to a plan for the cafe to be operated by Greater Shepparton City Council for the first 12 months.
Council only stepped in after two EOI processes failed to find a suitable commercial tenant.
The new tender and lease process will happen in two phases: expression of interest, followed by formal tender application with the aim for appointment by the end of February 2022.
In the coming week prospective service providers will be invited to submit an expression of interest outlining their vision for the new cafe and the shortlisted parties will then be invited to submit a formal tender.
SAM Ltd said it would ensure all prospective applicants had time to prepare their pitch, an acknowledgement of what it said was a “challenging climate for colleagues in the hospitality sector over the last 18 months”.
“This is a great opportunity for the right provider as SAM opens and welcomes visitors and our community,” SAM business manager Andrew Gooley said.
“In the interim, the SAM cafe will be operated by Eastbank under the Greater Shepparton City Council and will be operating in time for the opening on November 20.”
In addition to seeking a local proprietor, the EOI will be published widely in the hospitality market.
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