Dear

This week we’re taking the next exciting step to shape the future of The Electric Theatre. 

Working with independent specialist Blue Horizon Ventures (BHV), we're inviting Expressions of Interest from organisations and businesses interested in operating this much-loved community arts venue. This process will help us better understand the level of interest from potential operators and identify future management options ahead of any formal procurement process.

The exercise will explore market interest across two operating approaches:

• a cultural or hybrid (mix of cultural, community use and commercial activity) operating model

• a commercial or alternative-use model.

By market testing both cultural and commercial options, we'll be better informed on how we can best balance community benefit, financial sustainability and value for money for our residents.

We're particularly interested in understanding how any future operator could help deliver:

• local employment opportunities

• affordable and accessible pricing, alongside maximising community access

• high-quality cultural and commercial programming

• a resilient business model capable of sustaining the venue over the full contract term.

The market engagement exercise aims to:

• understand current market capacity and enthusiasm among cultural, community and commercial operators

• test potential contract arrangements against real operator experience, including views on whether grant funding may be needed

• inform the proposed procurement process, contract structure and service specification.

Attend the Operator Market Day
Prospective operators can register for an online Operator Market Day on Wednesday 14 October 2026 at 3.30pm, when BHV and senior directors will present and answer questions about the opportunity.

Please email Julian@bluehorizon-ventures.com to secure your place.

Submit Expressions of Interest
Written Expressions of Interest and completed Operator Response Forms must be submitted by midday on Friday 30 October 2026. Use the SE Shared Services e-Sourcing portal and search for ‘Electric Theatre - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice’ Project Reference: GBC - 039234.

We may:

• refine the delivery model and requirements

• adjust the route to market

• publish a formal procurement notice

• proceed with a lease option
  

• decide not to proceed.

Best wishes,

Guildford Borough Council