Thousands sign petition after Pullins Amusements loses Sheffield park rides contract
A total of 2,143 people signed the petition, calling for the council to “urgently review” its decision not to award the contract for Endcliffe Park to the firm
A petition challenging Sheffield Council’s decision not to award a park children’s rides contract to a popular city family firm has been presented to councillors after receiving thousands of signatures.
A total of 2,143 people signed the petition, calling for the council to “urgently review” its decision not to award the contract for Endcliffe Park to Jon Pullin Amusements, which has been entertaining children there for 40 years.
Banner Cross postmaster Nasar Raoof told the council’s charity trustee committee yesterday (July 13) that he believed there was a lack of transparency over the criteria for the decision.
He said the council should be “putting local people first” and back family businesses contributing to the city economy. Instead, the contract went to a Leeds firm.
“I believe Pullins have been treated very disrespectfully and the people of Sheffield weren’t treated well,” said Mr Raoof. “I don’t think local councillors knew anything of it at the time.”
Mr Raoof said there should be more transparency in decision-making, including of financially sensitive information.
“When Jon Pullin reached out he desperately needed help. After 40 years of operation, this is not the way to treat a family business.”
Ecclesall ward councillor Barbara Masters said Mr Pullin was not sent a copy of the proposed contract, despite requests to see one, until shortly before the council deadline to submit a bid.
“Pullins were assured verbally that they had been successful, then told it had gone to another bidder with a better offer. No feedback has been provided.
Coun Masters said that operators need to have confidence in the system and to be treated with respect.
Committee chair Coun Christine Gilligan Kubo responded that the committee had taken the decision on March 9, “following an open and transparent tender process”.
She said that there was nothing in the process that had disadvantaged the bid from Pullins.
“The successful bidder has proposed an acceptable quality of service. The charity trustee committee reviewed the operators and the pricing plan, including the length of time of rides for customers, before taking the decision for the charity.”
Endcliffe Park is owned by a charitable trust, of which the council is sole trustee. The committee is responsible for decision-making.