Tampere Committee Weighs Revoking Compass Group's Café Metso Contract

An extraordinary meeting of Tampere's culture and leisure committee on Monday will consider revoking the procurement decision for café services at the Metso main library, following a petition signed by more than 10,000 people.

Members will first be briefed on how the tender was prepared, the criteria used to compare bids and the legal limits of the procurement process.

The city awarded the concession to Compass Group Finland. Vinedu, which has operated Café Metso for nearly 20 years, is expected to leave around the turn of the year.

Chair and deputy mayor Anne‑Mari Jussila said officials followed procurement rules, and she does not expect the committee will find grounds to use the right of revocation.

Café Metso’s operator Kaisa Kalliolahti said she is preparing a rectification appeal and that industry experts have requested the procurement documents for review.

Earlier coverage showed Compass Group was awarded the contract despite a petition of more than 7,000 signatures earlier petition reporting. The decision provoked strong local criticism after the longtime operator lost the concession coverage of the local outcry. Initial reports said the award came after a tie on quality was resolved in favour of Compass Group based on price initial procurement coverage.