AwardedAwarded 9 March 2026

Mersey Ferries Catering Concession Contract Lot 1B - Seacombe Ferry Terminal Café

Merseytravel · Local or regional public body

In brief

Merseytravel awarded catering and leisure and events work to Crosby Fresh Limited on 9 March 2026.

The notice gives a value of £6,720,000 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 5 years, up to 7 years with extensions, starting 1 April 2026.

It is split into 3 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

What the notice says

1B This Lot is a concession contract. Management of the busy newly refurbished Seacombe Terminal café serving ferry customers, commuters, the local community and 100,000 annual visitors to the Eureka Science & Discovery Museum. Operators must create a welcoming and efficient café with strong customer service, varied menu range, family-friendly offers and a consistent experience throughout long operating hours using on-site kitchen facilities. The successful Supplier will pay all utilities and business rates.

Lots

LotTradeValue
On Board Café & Bar (Main Ferry Services)
1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031
What this lot covers

An onboard café and bar operation on our ferries - serving hot drinks, snacks, light meals, and alcoholic beverages, for daytime cruises and our evening scheduled cruises covering both the Snowdrop (capacity for 350) passengers and the new vessel (with capacity for up to 480 passengers). Mersey Ferries currently operate 14 commuter services on weekday mornings, starting at 7:20 am from Seacombe and 11 commuter services on weekday evenings finishing at 6:40pm at Gerry Marsden. We do not operate the commuter service at weekends, bank holidays or during the Christmas holidays. There are 7 River Explorer Cruises scheduled daily and we operate 9 River Explorer Cruises on Bank Holidays (except Christmas) Mersey Ferries also currently operate a number of scheduled cruises that fall within this lot; the programme runs from April to October and is currently 8 Manchester Ship Canal (Premium) 34 Summer Evening Cruises, and 10 Liverpool Bay Cruises. Live entertainment as part of these cruise offers is provided by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. A comprehensive list of kitchen equipment is included in the appendices along with the vessel layout. Should, suppliers find that the provided equipment does not meet their requirements, negotiations regarding supplementation or exchange may be considered. Utilities are not applicable for this lot.

Catering£2,184,000
Seacombe Terminal Café (Shore-Based Operation)
1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031
What this lot covers

A shore side café in the busy and newly refurbished Seacombe, Wirral terminal - with potential to serve both ferry passengers and local residents, commuters, and visitors. The café also serves as the main food and beverage offer for visitors of Eureka Science and Discovery Museum, attracting a footfall of £100k per annum. Seacombe Terminal current operating times are Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm , weekend and bank holiday times vary on seasonality, but broadly 9:30am to 4:30pm during low season October to April and 9:30am to 6:30pm during the summer cruise season. Provision to extend these opening times can be discussed to support summer evening cruises. 24/7 access can be arranged if required for food preparation via separate access. Kitchen equipment provision for the Seacombe Café can be negotiated. Utilities for the Seacombe Café for 24/25; Electricity £11k, Water £1k and Gas £3.5k for Kitchen use only. Please note that the occupier of the premises is liable for associated business rates, we recommend that suppliers male independent enquiry with Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and Wirral Council. How your Business Rates bill is calculated | wirral.gov.uk

Catering£2,520,000
On Board Events Management & Catering
1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031
What this lot covers

A flexible, creative catering offer for our special pop-up cruises and events, private charter hires, and themed events - where food, drink and atmosphere help turn journeys into unforgettable experiences. Mersey Ferries are looking for a partner to help design event packages for private boat and VIP area reservations, with options tailored to client needs or tiered packages. This applies to both the heritage and new vessels. The Provider must hold all necessary licenses and permits to operate, including (where applicable): Food business registration, Alcohol license (Premises and Personal Licence Holder) Public Performance or Entertainment Licence (for music or events) Health & Safety certification. Utilities are not applicable for this lot.

Catering, Leisure, culture and events£2,016,000

Who won

WinnerLotValueDates
Crosby Fresh Limited (SME)On Board Café & Bar (Main Ferry Services)£1,500,000
Awarded 9 March 2026
Crosby Fresh Limited (SME)
4 bids received
Seacombe Terminal Café (Shore-Based Operation)£1,340,000
Awarded 9 March 2026

Values as the award notice gives them, excluding VAT where stated.

Timeline

  1. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 067644-2025
  2. Tender notice · UK4, notice 077499-2025
  3. Tender notice · UK4, notice 077503-2025
  4. Tender notice · UK4, notice 079237-2025
  5. Contract award notice · UK6, notice 020875-2026
  6. Contract award notice · UK6, notice 020886-2026

About the buyer

MerseytravelLast 12 months

Procurements

45

Awards

31

Suppliers it has used most for catering

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From notice 067644-2025 on Find a Tender, first published 22 October 2025, last updated 9 March 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.