Bar tender 2027
Run a
Manorfest bar
Three bars serving 7,000+ people on Sunday 29 August 2027. Read everything you need below, register your interest, then complete your application online at your own pace.
- Applications open
- 1 November 2026
- Applications close
- 31 January 2027
- Decisions
- End of February 2027
- Licence & site details
- By end of May 2027
The three bars
Each bar has its own drinks range so they complement each other. Apply for one, two or all three. All prices include VAT. The security charge is the one exception: £100 + VAT per SIA officer.
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Lot 1 · Main arena
Main Bar
- Sells
- Draught beer and lager (including Manorfest lager), cider, real ale, wine, soft drinks and low/no-alcohol
- Not
- Cocktails
- Security
- 2 SIA officers (£200 + VAT)
- Minimum fee
£1,800
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Lot 2 · Main arena
Cocktail Bar
- Sells
- Cocktails, mocktails, prosecco and fizz, soft drinks and water
- Not
- Draught beer, lager, cider
- Security
- 1 SIA officer (£100 + VAT)
- Minimum fee
£900
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Lot 3 · Dance Stage area
Dance Stage Bar
- Sells
- Cans and bottles decanted into plastic, spirits and mixers, soft drinks and water
- Not
- Draught beer, cocktails
- Security
- 1 SIA officer (£100 + VAT)
- Minimum fee
£900
What you’ll need
Every bar must meet all of these. Applications that can’t won’t be scored.
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Licensing
- Your own licence: a premises licence with off-sales, or a TEN in your name
- Personal licence holder on site at all times
- Challenge 25 and a refusals log
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Your bar
- Professional bar unit or covering (trailer, horsebox, stretch tent, quality gazebo)
- Own power, counters, cooling and lighting
- Fire extinguisher, PAT-tested kit
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On the day
- No glass; free water on request
- Card and contactless payments
- Last orders 21:30, closed by 22:00
- Reusable cups optional, Manorfest logo if used
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Paperwork
- Public liability insurance of at least £5 million
- Price list approved 30 days before
- Risk assessment 30 days before
How we choose
Rothwell first. Rothwell-based businesses are scored first for each bar. The best Rothwell applicant scoring 60% or more is offered it. If none do, all applicants are compared.
Independent panel. Every application is scored separately by three people, from Rothwell Town Council, the event organiser and the event’s head of security.
Feedback. Everyone hears the outcome in writing and can ask for feedback.
Scored out of 100
- Experience serving large crowds
- 25%
- Licensing, safety and responsible retail
- 25%
- Your offer, range and pricing
- 20%
- Operational plan (staff, stock, power, waste)
- 15%
- Pitch fee offered
- 15%
For the pitch fee, the highest offer for each bar scores 15 and others score in proportion. Offers are confidential.
Key terms at a glance
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Paying the fee
Within 14 days of your award. Security (£100 + VAT per officer) is invoiced separately, due 30 days before.
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If you cancel
75% back over 90 days out, 25% back at 30–90 days, nothing within 30 days.
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If we cancel
Full refund if it’s our decision; refund less unrecoverable costs if it’s outside our control.
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Pricing
Your price list is approved by us. Some items (soft drinks, water, spirits) may have a common price across bars.
The full application pack and terms are in your applicant area once you register. You accept the terms when you submit.
No commitment yet
Register your interest
Create your applicant account to read the full pack and terms, ask questions, and complete your application whenever you’re ready. We’ll email you updates and a reminder before the deadline.