Derby City Council is inviting expressions of interest from experienced and imaginative operators to manage the catering and sports court facilities at the popular Alvaston Park. The opportunity includes the operation of the café and adjoining pavilion facilities as well as the PlayZone and tennis courts.
Last year, Derby City Council’s Cabinet approved plans to outsource the management of its leisure facilities, and the Alvaston Park catering provision is part of this process. The move is intended to provide financial savings while maintaining a high level of service for customers.
The Council is conducting a non-committal Expression of Interest (EOI) exercise and encourages anyone interested in operating the facilities to get in touch. Responses from both businesses and community groups are welcome.
The Waterside Café is situated at the heart of Alvaston Park, overlooking the picturesque lake. The building benefits from a large community room as well as reception/office accommodation, toilets and changing rooms that service the grass football pitches.
This opportunity also includes the management and operation of the recently completed PlayZone facility and refurbished tennis courts.
Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Safety and Leisure, said:
This is a fantastic opportunity for the right operator, or operators, to become a key part of Alvaston Park. We encourage interested parties to propose ideas that will complement the park’s existing attractions and serve the needs of our community.
The Council would like the new operators to offer a quality café and Playzone/tennis service that meets the needs of the local community and park users, as well as attracting new visitors.
Successful operators will need to maintain a consistent presence within the park, keeping to minimum opening times. This includes opening for the pavilion’s café for a minimum of seven hours per day, seven days a week, throughout the year (including Bank Holidays) and school holidays from April through to October.
The Expression of Interest responses received will be used to help determine the next steps for the facilities. Those interested in this opportunity are invited to register their interest by completing the online form. The deadline for submitting Expressions of Interest is midday on 11:59pm on Sunday 7 December 2025.