Rodney Stevens

Clarence Valley Council are seeking expressions of interest from people with the capability, vision, and experience to operate the canteen at the Grafton Regional Livestock Selling Centre GRLSC, as soon as possible.

The canteen at the GRLSC provides an integral service to the Clarence Valley agricultural industry and the successful applicant will have to cooperate with saleyards staff and stakeholders to coordinate their operations with the saleyards.

Patrons at the GRLSC rely on the canteen, which sells a variety of hot foods including pies and sausage rolls, cold drinks, tea, and coffee, to ensure they are comfortable and sustained during sales.

The successful applicant will be offered a one-year lease, with the option to renew for a further three years, pending an arrangement with council.

Located at 267 Armidale Road, South Grafton, the GRLSC hosts a range of livestock sales every week, with a varying schedule that can see up to three sales held per week.

Sales at the GRLSC are typically scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday, with special sales held on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the year.

The duration of the sales depends on livestock numbers, commencing at 9am and usually finishing between 1pm and 5pm, with the canteen permitted to operate outside the sale time (eg. 7am start) on sales days only.

“Crowd numbers will vary slightly depending on sale type and cattle numbers, but you can expect 50 to 150 people in attendance plus saleyards and agent staff who use the canteen facilities,” the expression of interest states.

The successful applicant must hold Public and Product Liability Insurance to a minimum value of $20 million, plus workers compensation insurance as required under the Retail Leases Act.

A monthly rental fee will apply for the use of the canteen and the operator will be a separate business entity to the GRLSC and be responsible for their business administration.

Expressions of interest opened on April 12, and close at 3pm on May 13, 2024.

Council will then evaluate the proposals and, if required, negotiate with the preferred proponent before granting them access to fit out the canteen on June 3, which must be open for business no later than June 17.

To lodge an expression of interest visit https://www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/On-exhibition/Expression-of-Interest-%E2%80%93-Opportunity-to-Operate-Canteen-Grafton-Regional-Sale-Yards