PROVISION OF A LOCAL INFORMATION OFFICE (LIO)

IN RANDALSTOWN TOWN CENTRE

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board considers that visitor servicing experience in Northern Ireland can be enhanced by the development of a network of local information offices to complement the existing Tourist Information Centre service. LIOs provide a customer facing service but not generally a dedicated information facility and in many cases are situated in existing public or commercial facilities.

The Randalstown Local Information Office (LIO) has been operating on behalf of Antrim Borough Council from The Mace Supermarket & Post Office since 2011. The facility has provided both visitors and local residents access to a wide range of visitor information on attractions and places to see including maps, interpretive literature on sites of interest, accommodation and the programme of events that take place throughout the Borough.

Applications are now invited from businesses in Randalstown Town Centre to provide a Local Information Office on behalf of Antrim Borough Council for a period of one year initially, with the option of an extension for two further periods of 12 months for an annual service fee of £600, (subject to review in years two and three).

The length of the contract and the precise terms and conditions that will apply will be set out in a formal agreement drawn up by the Council. Council may also choose to call applicants for an interview.

Guidelines for the Randalstown Local Information Office:

·  The LIO should ideally be at ground level, located in the centre of the town to maximise footfall from the main tourist and visitor traffic flows

·  The premises should be accessible to those with a disability including wheelchairs and also visitors with suitcases, pushchairs and backpacks

·  Prominent space should be allocated for the literature and an area of approximately 42 sq ft must be allocated for display purposes (a literature stand will be provided at no cost by Council)

·  The LIO should record statistics on all enquiries and report these monthly to Council in a standardised format

·  The LIO should ensure an adequate and up-to-date supply of relevant literature for display and reference purposes

SELECTION PROCESS

The Council’s selection process will be based upon the following criteria:

Criteria / Weighting
%
Knowledge & Experience of the needs of tourists & visitors / 30
Marketing of the Facility / 30
Complementary Services offered to tourists / 20
Footfall Figures / 20

To submit an application, please complete and return the attached form in a sealed envelope marked:

“PROPOSALS - RANDALSTOWN LOCAL INFORMATION OFFICE”

FAO Mrs Karen Steele

Development Manager (Visitor Servicing)

Antrim Borough Council

Antrim Civic Centre

50 Stiles Way

Antrim

BT41 2UB by not later than 12 Noon on Tuesday 14th January 2014

Forms received after this closing date and time will not be accepted.

It is important that the Proposal Pro Forma is completed in full, as lack of information may result in your proposal being rejected. Any appropriate and relevant supplementary information may be included and should be clearly listed.

Adequate insurance cover for an operation of this nature must be in place prior to commencement and evidence must be provided to the Council. Only operators carrying a minimum of £5 million public liability & employers liability insurance cover will be considered.

T/25(e) (i)

RANDALSTOWN LOCAL INFORMATION OFFICE: APPLICATION FORM

ANTRIM BOROUGH COUNCIL

(To be completed by all applicants)

Name of Individual/
Organisation: / ...... …………………………………
Contact name & position held: / ...... …………………………………
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Trading address: / ...... …………………………………
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Tel no: …...... …..……………... Fax no: ...... …………...... ………..
Mobile no. ………………...………….…. Email: ………………………………..………
Registered office: / ...... ……………………………………......
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Tel no: ..…...... …………………….. Fax no: ...... ………………...... ……
Mobile no. ……………………………….. Email: ………………………….……………
Registration no: / ...... ……………………………………………………………
VAT no: / ...... ……………………………………………………………
Nature of company’s business: / ...... …………………………………
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Existing hours of operation (please state any Bank Holidays you are currently closed): / ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Please outline your knowledge and/or experience of the needs of tourists & visitors: / ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Please indicate how you propose to market and promote the Randalstown Local Information Office: / ...... …………………………………
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Please outline any complementary services you currently offer to tourists: / ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Please outline monthly footfall figures (and indicate if these are actual figures or approximate): / ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Company’s insurers (name and address): / ...... …………………………………
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Tel no: ...... ………………... Fax no: ...... …………………......
Level of insurance:
(Please submit evidence) / Public/Product liability £...... …………….
Employers liability £...... ………......
Name and address of company’s bankers: / ...... ……………………………………......
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Tel No: ...... …………………...… Fax No: ....………………......
Other relevant information (please use separate sheet, if necessary): / ...... …………………………………
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Authorised signature: ...... …………

Name (BLOCK CAPITALS): ...... ………….

Date: ...... ………….

Position held: ...... ………….