Ice cream pitches in our parks
We are looking for local providers to sell ice creams across seven of our parks.
The pitches are in:
- Admirals Park
- Beaulieu Park
- Bell Meadow
- Chancellor Park
- Chelmer Park
- Compass Gardens
- Galleywood Common
We are also happy to accept proposals for our other parks. However, we will not licence any pitches in:
- Central Park
- Hylands Estate
- Oaklands Park
- Saltcoats Park
- Springfield Hall Park
Admirals Park, Chelmsford (ice creams and light refreshments)
Admirals Park, Tower Gardens and West Park, close to the city centre, offer something for everyone. The varied landscape and recreational facilities cater for all ages and interests. For the sports-minded, the parkland provides ample space for cricketers, footballers, bowlers, anglers, canoeists, tennis players, outdoor gym enthusiasts, walkers and cyclists. Bootcamp and Keep Fit classes also take place regularly in the open green spaces. There is a well-equipped play area for the younger visitors, as well as excellent formal gardens, conservation areas, and woodland and riverside walks for nature enthusiasts.
This pitch is in a parking area near the children’s play area.
Beaulieu Park, Chelmsford (ice creams and light refreshments)
Beaulieu Park Recreation Ground is a large sports park with great facilities for sports such as cricket and football. There is also a floodlit multi-use court available to hire for tennis, five-a-side football and netball.
The trading area for this pitch will be in the car park area.
https://loveyourchelmsford.co.uk/green-spaces/find-a-green-space/beaulieu-park-recreation-ground/
Bell Meadow, Chelmsford (ice creams only)
This attractive landscaped area is situated close to the city centre. During spring and summer, this area is an attractive venue for lunchtime picnics or for the local office workers and shoppers to sit and relax. We provide a hard-surfaced area with electric hook-up for the ice-cream vehicle.
You are not allowed to sell light refreshments in Bell Meadow.
Chancellor Park, Chelmsford (ice creams and light refreshments)
Chancellor Park is the setting for a number of outdoor sports facilities, including a floodlit multi-use hard surface area and a bowls green which attract visitors all year-round.
The trading area for this pitch will be in the car park area.
https://loveyourchelmsford.co.uk/green-spaces/find-a-green-space/chancellor-park/
Chelmer Park, Chelmsford (ice creams and light refreshments)
Besides football pitches, netball and tennis courts and an outdoor gym, Chelmer Park is the home of Chelmsford Hockey Club and the Chelmsford Cricket Club. Alongside the traditional pitches, Chelmer Park provides floodlit synthetic pitches for football and hockey. The park is well used by young people, cyclists and dog walkers.
The trading area for this pitch will be in the car park area.
https://loveyourchelmsford.co.uk/green-spaces/find-a-green-space/chelmer-park-recreation-ground/
Compass Gardens, South Woodham Ferrers (ice creams and light refreshments)
Compass Gardens, together with Saltcoats Park, forms the local park for South Woodham Ferrers.
In addition to grass sports pitches, there is a small skate-park, outdoor gym and recently refurbished children’s play area.
This pitch is for Compass Gardens only and not Saltcoats Park. The trading area will be the car park.
https://loveyourchelmsford.co.uk/green-spaces/find-a-green-space/saltcoats-park-and-compass-gardens/
Galleywood Common, Chelmsford (ice creams and light refreshments)
Galleywood Common was originally an ancient forest and was recorded in the 1086 Domesday Survey. It is now registered as Common Land and managed by Chelmsford City Council. It has been designated as a Local Nature Reserve and attracts visitors who enjoy walking, cycling, horse riding and more.
Parking for this pitch will be Stock Road Car Park only.
The contract will be for three years, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029.
You will be free to decide the times and days you trade. You will just need to tell us what they are. However, you can not trade on days of organised events, such as the annual fire work display. We have three or four of these large-scale events per year. We will let you know about them when we receive a new application.
You will also need to manage litter and waste disposal within a reasonable radius of your pitch. This includes providing bins near the pitch, as well as litter patrols in the catchment area (which would include the play area if trading in Admirals Park).
You can use a petrol generator, but you need to have a bund in place to catch any liquid that may spill out. This is to prevent any contamination to the environment.
If you are unable to operate due to illness, you would still need to pay the monthly fee. However, if this was a long-term issue, we would discuss the options available.
Registering your interest
If you are thinking about bidding for this opportunity, you need to contact us to register your interest.
This allows us to keep you informed if we make any changes to the bidding documents.
Application process
We will send you full details of the application process after you register. This will include what you need to provide, such as:
- information on the ice cream/refreshments you would provide
- copies of your food hygiene certificate
- the annual fee offer for each year of the license
The deadline for receiving final bids is 5pm on Monday 9 March 2026.
We will select the provider through a sealed bid process. This means we will open and review all bids after the deadline. We will make our choice based on pricing and suitability of the products.