Tender

Specialist Legal Support for ECW Pre-Transfer Planning

ENTERPRISE CHESHIRE AND WARRINGTON

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

12 Dec 2025 at 14:53

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington (ECW) is currently in the tender stage of procuring specialist legal support for pre-transfer planning, focusing on the potential transfer of its functions with the upcoming establishment of the Combined Authority for Cheshire and Warrington. The procurement, titled "Specialist Legal Support for ECW Pre-Transfer Planning," is classified under business services, specifically covering law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security. The open procurement method is employed, with a tender process set to conclude on 5th January 2026. The project is to commence on 16th January 2026 and is expected to end on 24th April 2026. The services will be delivered within the North West of the United Kingdom. This opportunity is designed to attract small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs). The buying organisation, Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington, is wholly owned by the three unitary authorities in Cheshire and Warrington, having transitioned from a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

This tender presents significant opportunities for firms specialising in legal services, particularly those with expertise in organisational, corporate, public law, employment, and commercial matters. Companies capable of providing comprehensive legal advice and demonstrating flexibility in response to evolving transfer landscapes will find this opportunity lucrative. The structure of the contract, which includes both a retainer and call-off component, offers sustained engagement over the transition period. Ideal candidates are those that can deliver swift and knowledgeable responses amidst the reorganisation efforts driven by governmental devolution initiatives. This contract not only paves the way for reinforcing business partnerships within the public sector but also enhances portfolios with strategic economic development engagements in a pivotal regional project.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Specialist Legal Support for ECW Pre-Transfer Planning

Notice Description

Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington (ECW) is a company limited by guarantee wholly owned by the three unitary authorities in Cheshire and Warrington. It was formerly the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for the area and brought across its staff, funding role and assets when it transferred to LA ownership in 2024. Cheshire and Warrington is part of the Government's devolution priority programme and will be creating a Combined Authority for the sub-region in Spring 2026. The Combined Authority will take on responsibility for the strategic economic development of Cheshire and Warrington, a role formerly undertaken by the LEP and, more recently, ECW. With the establishment of a new Combined Authority (CA), it is anticipated that some or all functions currently delivered by ECW and CWTB may transfer either to one or more of the sub-region's local authorities, to the CA or to another body. No final decisions have yet been made, and the scope, scale, and nature of any transfer remain under active consideration. The company is seeking to appoint a provider of specialist legal advice to help with those discussions, supporting pre-transfer planning and due diligence on the potential transfer of some or all of ECW's functions, assets, and responsibilities. This support will be commissioned through a retainer and call-off contract. The appointed provider must be able to advise across a broad spectrum of organisational, corporate, public law, employment, and commercial matters, and respond quickly as the transfer landscape becomes clearer.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-ae3b6497-6249-4bb0-a7fb-413a237a0648
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/893d75c6-0a8f-4aff-a4b1-671be2b00ced
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (below threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Dec 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
5 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
16 Jan 2026 - 24 Apr 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ENTERPRISE CHESHIRE AND WARRINGTON
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WINSFORD
Postcode
CW7 1AH
Post Town
Crewe
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England)
Local Authority
Cheshire West and Chester
Electoral Ward
Winsford Dene
Westminster Constituency
Mid Cheshire

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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