Walter Nash Centre - Café Space Opportunity

Overview Hutt City Council is inviting expressions of interest from experienced hospitality operators for the café space at Walter Nash Centre in Taita. This is an opportunity to operate from an established community hub that is busy throughout the week with library visitors, sports, meetings, events and community activity. About Walter Nash Centre brings together sports facilities, event spaces and Taita Library under one roof. The centre is used by a wide range of people throughout the day and week. Scope The scope includes: Operating the café space at Walter Nash Centre, which could be a traditional café, takeaway service, event catering base, or a combination Determining operating hours and service model, noting Walter Nash Centre is open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday to Sunday, with some flexibility for major and late-night events Proposing any changes to the existing fit-out, including equipment, furniture, signage, or the design of the café space, with any alterations requiring Council approval and agreement on responsibility for costs before work goes ahead Contract Terms and Conditions Lease cost will be based on commercial market rents and will depend on the final agreed operating model Applicants can include their preferred commercial terms as part of their EOI Contractor Requirements Experienced hospitality operators are sought, with particular interest in established Lower Hutt food and hospitality businesses looking to grow or expand into another location Information Requested The expression of interest should include: Relevant skills and hospitality experience Proposed operating model Proposed menu and pricing Proposed operating hours How the applicant would work with Walter Nash Centre Any proposed changes to the café space Preferred commercial terms When the applicant would be available to start operating Site Inspection Potential applicants are encouraged to visit the café space before applying. To arrange a site visit, contact Phil Hollis, Site Lead, at phil.hollis@huttcity.govt.nz or (02) 7249-9473. How to Apply Complete an Expression of Interest by 5:00 PM on Friday, 30 October 2026 (Walter Nash Centre Café EOI). Further information on this opportunity can be found at: Walter Nash Centre Café Space Opportunity What Happens Next Submissions will be reviewed by a panel during November Shortlisted applicants may be invited to discuss their proposal in more detail Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 01 December 2026 Council aims to have the successful operator in place by the beginning of term 1, 2027 Enquiries For questions about the EOI, contact Operations Support Manager Monica Turner at monica.turner@huttcity.govt.nz.