New operator sought for Botanic Gardens cafe

Want to run a café in one of Christchurch’s most visited locations?

Christchurch City Council is looking for a private operator to take over the running of the café, playground food kiosk and function room at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

The Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre cafe.

More than 1.5 million people visit the Botanic Gardens each year which makes it one of Christchurch’s most popular attractions.

About 400,000 visitors pass through the award-winning architecturally deigned Visitor Centre, where there is a café with indoor seating for about 60 people and outdoor seating for a similar number.

Council venue management company Vbase has had the contract to operate the café since its opening three years ago, but it now wants to concentrate on other aspects of its business and has decided not to seek a renewal of that contract.

“Vbase’s decision means we are now looking for an experienced cafe/restaurant operator to take over the running of the café, the playground food kiosk and the conferencing facilities at the Visitor Centre. This is a great business opportunity,’’ said Council Head of Parks Andrew Rutledge.

“We want a first class operator who can cater for a diverse clientele base and really add to the visitor experience at the Botanic Gardens.’’

Anyone interested in the opportunity to run the café can download the Request for Proposal documents via the Government Electronic Tender Service website.