To approve a new concession contract for the provision of Hereford and Leominster May fairs within their existing locations.  Hereford fair is held in Commercial Street, High Town, St. Peters Street, St. Owen Street, Broad Street (below junction of West Street and East Street), King Street and Bridge Street.  Leominster fair is held in Corn Square and Broad Street (below junction of Burgess Street and Church Street to the junction with New Street.

That:

(a)       a new seven year concession contract be awarded to ‘The Showmans Guild of Great Britain (South Wales and Northern Ireland Section)’ for the continued provision of the May Fair in the streets of Hereford from May 2020 to May 2026 at an annual value of £51,000; and

(b)       a new seven year concession contract be awarded to ‘Joanne Morris, David William Henry Morris and Allison Jane Appleton’for the continued provision of the May Fair in the streets of Leominster from May 2020 to May 2026 at an annual value of £11,000; and that

(c)       in the event Corn Square, High Street, Broad Street and Broad Street car park Leominster undergoes refurbishment within the duration of the Leominster May Fair concession contract, a clause be written into the contract to provide that, following appropriate consultation, the council may consider whether all/part of the May fair should be moved to an alternative location during and/or after completion of such works.

(d)       That the Acting Assistant Director for Technical Services  be authorised to take all operation decisions necessary to complete the contraction negotiations.

1.         Procure a new contract via a full procurement process for either/or both the Hereford and Leominster May fairs to be held in existing locations - This is not recommended as pre-market testing did not see alternative providers coming forward confirming they can deliver the service. A full procurement exercise would take time and cost money to which there is a high probability no further bids would be received.

2.         Discontinue the May fairs on council managed public land - This is not recommended as the fairs have been a part of local tradition since the twelfth and seventeenth centuries respectively

3.         Continue with the May Fairs on alternative council managed public land - This is not recommended as there is no indication of majority support for relocating these fairs