Compass Group to Run Café Metso at Tampere Main Library from 2027

According to the City of Tampere, a competitive procurement required by law drew three bids, and Compass Group Finland prevailed after tying with current operator Vinedu Oy on quality but scoring better on price.

Library services director Niina Salmenkangas praised the current operator's work, saying Café Metso’s services have been high quality and cooperation has been excellent. She added, however, that the city must treat all bidders equally and cannot favour providers based on location or size.

Local paper Tamperelainen reports that a petition opposing the handover had collected more than 3,000 signatures by Wednesday afternoon, and adds that the number had risen to nearly 6,000 by Thursday morning. The petition, published previously on addressit.com, urges the city to keep locally run Café Metso in the Metso city library after the procurement award to Compass Group Finland. Tamperelainen notes that the decision is not yet legally binding.

Tamperelainen also says the petition’s goal is to preserve the current small-business operator, Café Metso owner Kaisa Kalliolahti. It cites a council question by councillor Johanna Kirjavainen (Green), and echoes supporters’ arguments from the petition, including concerns that the change would harm the library area’s distinct local character and damage the café’s role in the community. Commenters quoted by Tamperelainen include: “Chains are already enough – why extend tendering to a well-working concept?”, as well as claims that the handover would stop visits and cause cultural destruction.

Later on Wednesday, Tamperelainen also identifies Kalliolahti, who said she was shocked by the result and plans to file an appeal, while also looking for nearby empty premises.

YLE adds that the tender outcome hinged on the details of the offer on price. It reports that Vinedu offered slightly higher rent but higher customer prices, while Compass planned lower prices for customers and for meeting and event catering.

Compass Group plans to turn the café concept into a locally tailored space, describing it as a kind of “living room” for the library. According to Tamperelainen, the company also says its approach reflects the library’s cultural role and pledges to prioritise domestic sourcing and prepare items on-site. The company says the menu would include soups, salads and filled breads, as well as pinsa and baked potatoes, plus breakfast combo meals and fresh pastries available for takeaway. According to Tamperelainen, Compass Group plans to hire about nine to ten staff for the service and has pledged to stick to the product prices set out in the tender. The company’s justification for its bid is based on economies of scale, together with a commitment to using domestic ingredients and producing items in-house.

If the procurement decision becomes legally binding this year, Compass’s contract will begin in early 2027 for two years, with an option to extend for three more. Café Metso will continue serving customers as usual while the decision is finalised.