Purpose

The appointment of a contractor to provide Cleaning on New Smithfield Wholesale Market and Gorton Market following a competitive tender.

Decision

The appointment of a provider to deliver cleaning services at New Smithfield Market and Gorton Market is required to ensure that both sites are maintained to a high standard of cleanliness, hygiene, and safety. These are high-footfall, food-focused environments operating over extended hours, where effective cleaning is essential to comply with statutory obligations (including food hygiene and health and safety legislation), and provide a positive experience for traders, customers, and visitors. A professionally managed cleaning service is also critical to protecting the Council’s assets, supporting operational efficiency, and maintaining the reputation of Manchester’s markets.

In addition, the appointed provider will have the capacity and resilience to manage staffing requirements, including access to a wider labour pool to ensure continuity of service in the event of absence, vacancy, or fluctuations in demand. This level of flexibility and cover cannot be as readily achieved through an in-house provision without creating additional cost and operational risk.

Following a competitive tender exercise (open procedure), a provider has been selected. The contract period will be for 2 years, with the option to extend for an additional 2 years. It is intended for the contract to commence on 1 August 2026. The estimated total value of the opportunity is £5.5 million (exclusive of VAT) over the full 4-year contract period.

The contract includes a range of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure consistent service delivery and quality standards, alongside measurable social value commitments from the appointed supplier, which will be actively monitored and managed throughout the contract term.

The Council does not have the capacity or infrastructure to deliver this service in house without additional cost and operational risk. Senior officers are aware of the operational challenges within the market, and any longer-term considerations will be addressed separately. In the interim, continuity of service remains essential. It is also noted that TC014 previously included a waste management provision for New Smithfield Market, which has since been removed from scope to reflect a revised approach to service delivery and overall cost management.