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Tender opportunity: run the new café at the heart of Hulme’s Kath Locke Centre

The Kath Locke Centre, a cornerstone of the Hulme and Moss Side community, is launching a unique opportunity for café and catering operators to become part of a vibrant new chapter in its history. Big Life is inviting expressions of interest from businesses keen to run a brand-new café space that will serve as both a culinary and cultural hub.

Part of the wider refurbishment of the KLC, the new café will open directly onto a recently transformed garden space and share the ground floor with a large function suite and multipurpose room. The aim is to create a welcoming, inclusive, and community-driven destination.

But this is more than just a café. Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the café will also host a permanent exhibition developed through the Kath Locke Heritage Project. This interactive display celebrates over 75 years of activism, heritage and community legacy in Hulme and Moss Side, featuring oral histories, curated content, and even a jukebox filled with local voices and stories.

We’re looking for a partner who shares our values and vision: someone who wants to serve great food, celebrate diversity, and create a welcoming, inclusive environment. The initial lease will run for two years, with reduced rent in the first six months.

Download the full tender pack here or contact Sharon.Kelly@thebiglifegroup.com for more information.

Deadline for applications is Monday, 5 May.