Request for Expressions of Interest, Studio Voltaire Café Partner

Request for Expressions of Interest, Studio Voltaire Café Partner

About Studio Voltaire

Studio Voltaire is one of the UK’s leading not–for–profit arts organisations. Our pioneering public
programmes of exhibitions, participation projects, live events and off–site commissions have
gained an international reputation.

Studio Voltaire has an outstanding track record of supporting artists at a pivotal stage in their
careers. We champion emerging and under represented artists, placing great emphasis on risk–
taking and experimentation, allowing us to offer an alternative and agenda–setting view of
contemporary art. Many of our commissions are an artist’s first solo exhibition in London. We
invest wholly in the production of new work that might not always be possible in commercial
galleries or larger institutions, giving artists the chance to expand their practice, often working in
residence in the gallery.

We provide a much–needed resource of affordable and accessible on–site studios which
currently houses over forty–five artists, supporting the development of a diverse range of
individual and collective practices, from recent graduates to internationally recognised
practitioners.

Studio Voltaire commissions a wide range of participatory activities and projects working in
collaboration with artists, local organisations, schools and community groups. Projects take
place in the gallery as well as offsite.

studiovoltaire.org

About The Studio Voltaire Capital Project

Studio Voltaire is undertaking a transformative £2.8 million capital project, to create more artists’
studios, renovated exhibition space and new public spaces, including a dedicated learning
space, public garden, café and the first–ever permanent House of Voltaire.

This redevelopment will be the most ambitious transition in our 26–year history, more than
doubling our public spaces and considerably expanding and transforming our support of artists,
as well our cultural offering to our local and international audiences. The project has gained
major support from The Mayor’s Office, Arts Council England and Lambeth Council, as well as
support from various individuals and trusts & foundations.

Studio Voltaire will provide 42% more affordable studio space for artists through the building of
a new mezzanine level, directly addressing London’s shortage of affordable artist’s workspace.
Our existing studio building will be completely renovated to provide a range of high–quality
studios to over 75 artists, along with two live/work spaces to house visiting artists and curators.

This development will further enhance our institutions’ ability to present ambitious and
experimental new work by international artists for the very first time in the UK, as well as
providing an important platform for emerging and underrepresented practices. Studio Voltaire’s
distinctive gallery, a Victorian former chapel, will be fully renovated to provide an inspiring and
distinctive space for the year–round programming of free exhibitions, commissions and
performance.

A new dedicated 100m2 learning and events space and garden will allow Studio Voltaire to
expand our innovative participatory and learning programmes in the local area, significantly
enriching the depth of engagement amongst new and existing audiences. This new space will
also support an extended public programme of artist’s talks, panel discussions, screenings and
performances.

Our celebrated art and design shop House of Voltaire, which sells artworks, editions and
products by leading contemporary artists and designers, will have a permanent home for the first
time.

Our Clapham site will close to the public from Autumn 2019 and a year–long programme of off–
site commissions will be presented ahead of Studio Voltaire opening again to the public in 2021.

Café

Layout and Design

The café is being converted from the ground floor of the existing studio building as part of the
larger capital works - it will be located at the new front entrance to the building and with a large
window looking onto the new courtyard garden designed by a leading contemporary artist. The
seating arrangement is predominantly focused within the main café area with additional seating
outside in the courtyard garden. The seating arrangement is yet is be confirmed.

The serving counter will be situated at the back of the main seating area directly onto the
19.9m2 kitchen. All fixed appliances and furniture costs will be covered by Studio Voltaire.

The café is approximately 115m2* and situated within a large open plan area which is shared
with the organisation’s main information desk and entrances to the gallery and shop. The area is
the main entrance to the building, and thoroughfare for the artist’s studios which have 24 hour
access. The design of the space is pared back, revealing the buildings previous use as an light
industrial work space. We are interested in the café having a sense of being a canteen or
kitchen serving the onsite creatives, with wider visitors being invited in.

The proposed layout would provide for 36 covers inside and 12 covers outside.

*Exact layout and size TBC

The Offer

Studio Voltaire wishes to increase it’s offer to its existing audiences and studio residents by
providing a new café, this will also help to attract new visitors and increase dwell time across the
whole site.

We are looking for a café partner that will compliment and enhance our offer to audiences and
provide our immediate artistic community and visitors with delicious food at a reasonable price.
Menu options should range from ‘coffee and a cake’ and a light lunch through to a more
substantial meal and there is potential to expand the main activity of the café with additional
events such as workshops, supper clubs, special events and potentially collaborations with
Studio Voltaire.

Facilities, maintenance and equipment

Capital kitchen equipment is provided and maintained by the SV. Other
kitchen and front of house items are provided by the operator.

The SLG provides the following utilities and services:

• Sewage;
• Security;
• Building maintenance including the maintenance of fixtures and fittings
and the utilities infrastructure;
• Cleaning of all areas excluding the kitchen, Café and double height
space, but including all toilets.

The SV charges the operator for electricity, gas and water.
The operator provides free WIFI access for patrons of the Café.

Opening Times

Minimum of Tuesday to Sunday 8.30 – 18.30
Optional late night opening until 10.30pm every Thursday and Friday (license dependent)

Event catering

The new garden and participation space (with private courtyard) is expected to increase venue
hire business for private dining, receptions and weddings which will provide further event
catering opportunities for the operator.

Staffing & Training

The following are core to the Studio Voltaire values and we are particularly interested in
discussions with operators who share similar values:

   ●   Commitment to being a London Living Wage employer;
   ●   Commitment to staff training and development, including formal
   ●   opportunities for traineeships / apprenticeships;
   ●   Commitment to diversifying our workforce so that it is representative of the diverse city
       and local area in which we are based.

We are interested in operators with a commitment to working with local and/
or independent suppliers, as well as those who are more environmentally sustainable.

Licences

Studio Voltaire will be applying for a full premises license to Lambeth Council for the café to
serve alcohol.

Insurance

The operator is expected to maintain at its own cost Employer’s Liability Insurance at a minimum
level in line with the legal requirements at the time; and Public and Products Liability Insurance to
a minimum value of £5m.

Financial arrangements

The lease is offered based on a annual rent plus a percentage of turnover.

Further details will be discussed with interested parties.

Staff, studio artists should receive a discount.