A new £15m entertainment venue in Scunthorpe, north Lincolnshire, looks set to be run by a private sector company after the local authority, which owns the site, announced its intention to invite bids from interested parties.

North Lincolnshire Council (NLC) has revealed that it considered a number of options for the management of the Doncaster Road site, with private sector involvement presenting the best way forward. The council believes that an external management company will bring the experience and specialist industry connections required to ensure the efficient operation of the venue, as well as providing the council with cost certainty in terms of any potential revenue subsidy.

Mark Kirk, NLC leader, said: "The new entertainment venue is progressing well and we are now at the stage where we need to decide the best option for managing it. "It is clear that an external management company represents the best option, as it would operate the venue at a lower cost to the council. It will bring a level of expertise and a range of contacts needed to ensure the new venue is a success."

The venue is being part-funded through a £10m contribution from NLC's capital programme, and is expected to open in November 2008.