New children’s rides operator agreed for Sheffield park after firm pulls out of deal
Children’s rides will continue at Hillsborough Park in Sheffield after a new operator was agreed when another firm backed out.
Sheffield City Council’s charity trustee sub-committee agreed yesterday (April 8) to accept one of the bidders for a contract to run the children’s rides in the park, which is owned by a charitable trust overseen by the council.
The sub-committee takes decisions on behalf of the council, which acts as the sole trustee of many parks and other assets gifted to the people of the city.
Members of the sub-committee had agreed to accept a successful bidder at their March meeting following a procurement process but they were told that the chosen operator later backed out.
A report to the committee said: “Children’s rides have been operating in the park for many years and have had an overall positive impact, enhancing the visitor experience and meeting the charity object of providing and maintaining a public park and recreation ground improving conditions of life.
“The income generated from the licence will contribute directly to the upkeep and management of the park, ensuring sustainability and continued delivery of high-quality facilities for the community.”
Coun Douglas Johnson said: “That’s very welcome, on a really nice, sunny day for the kids in Hillsborough Park.”
Coun Mike Chaplin said: “I think, too, keeping the price for the rides and the timescale at 15 minutes, whereas the other operator wanted to shrink that, giving the children less time on the rides, was not a good deal for them.”