Langton Green Pavilion

SPC is obliged by good governance to run a competitive, independently led and transparent process of seeking bids for the primary usage of the Pavilion building. 

SPC has formed a working group to enable this task and will update this page as discussions progress to keep everyone informed. 

We have engaged with TWBC’s Corporate Property Manager to seek advice regarding this process. He provided useful guidance in key areas, namely that the hourly hire of a building is generally not something a commercial property company would market; these arrangements are typically handled in-house. 

The hourly hire of the building is required because SPC is prohibited from alienating (separating) itself from its lease on the space; no one hiring the space is permitted to have any legal tenure in the building. This is stated clearly in the lease/sublease documents for the Pavilion, which SPC understands and TWBC confirmed during review. 

Further, the following clause is in the lease/sublease for the space: 

Permitted Use: 

As to the Building as a sports pavilion and other community and social uses to be used for the benefit of the local community, including the parish, the local public at large, or a local club, society, group or individual; and as to the Playing Fields as sports fields ancillary to the use of the Building. 

This clause further prevents anyone with a purely commercial interest from occupying the space and moves the process away from using a commercial property agent. Put simply, it is not a commercial property. 

SPC and LGCSA met to discuss this and both parties agreed there was no appetite to modify the lease/sublease to enable a commercial property agent to market the building. 

Therefore, it was agreed that SPC would run the process themselves — with independent advice and in collaboration with LGCSA — in a manner that is closely aligned to the process a property agent would take. 

During these discussions, two parties registered an interest in occupying the space during the review period. The offer taken forward was from Natalina and Ryan, who have formed a CIC (Community Interest Company) to enable their hire in a manner compliant with the Permitted Use. 

Both LGCSA and SPC support this endeavour but have been clear from the outset that the review and bid process must continue. Natalina and Ryan will, of course, be invited to submit a bid at the appropriate time. 

SPC and LGCSA have also discussed at length the reality of financing the space; the collaborative, non-commercial nature of the space makes it difficult for a single primary hirer to cover all realised costs of the building. It consumes significant electricity, which SPC pays at commercial rates. 

Both LGCSA and SPC are committed to improving the energy efficiency of the building, with major steps already undertaken. SPC is very pleased with LGCSA’s approach to this, working keenly to navigate any concerns the Football Foundation may have regarding material changes to the building. 

The original timeline for the review process was ambitious, at just six months — designed to run alongside Natalina and Ryan’s initial hire term. However, that would have ended the process in the middle of Christmas/New Year, and the timeframe would not allow for a detailed process. 

To enable a better review process, SPC and LGCSA propose a six-month extension to the timeframe, coupled with a six-month extension to Natalina and Ryan’s CIC short-term hire of the space. 

LGCSA has also been of great assistance in refreshing and renewing the space. 

Invitation for Applications – Key Dates 

• Publication of documents and opening of the process: April 1st 

• Deadline for bid submission: Midday on May 31st 

• Shortlisted applicants invited for interview and presentations: July 1st 

• Notification of successful award: September 1st 

• Anticipated start date for the awarded bidder: On or after October 19th