Companies vying for a place in Leeds's Roundhay Park Mansion will have to prove they can meet high-quality standards, and this will count for more than how much they offer to pay the council in rent when the proposals are judged.

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The council hopes that basing 60 per cent of the evaluation criteria around quality, with the remaining 40 per cent accounting for price, will ensure that the successful bidder is the best fit for the Mansion and the park.

Coun Paul Wadsworth (Con, Roundhay) said: "I welcome this decision to favour the quality of bids over the rent on offer. It shows that we're more concerned about getting the right operator for the Mansion and the people of Leeds, than we are about necessarily getting the best rent.

"I'm sure we'll end up with a fantastic new tenant for this special building. Everyone is looking forward to seeing the Mansion open fully again."