Award

Durham Book Festival 25/26- Programming & Delivery

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

24 Jun 2025 at 07:31

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Durham County Council has completed the procurement process for the programming and delivery of the Durham Book Festival for 2025 and 2026. This contract, which falls within the exhibition, fair and congress organisation services industry, was awarded to New Writing North. The procurement method was limited, negotiated without a call for competition, to ensure continuity in the high standards of the festival's delivery. The award was made on 1 September 2024 and is valued at £130,000. This procurement is part of the council's strategy under the Arts Council England's National Portfolio Organisation status and involves services located in England, United Kingdom.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in event management and cultural programming, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are eligible to participate. The contract with New Writing North highlights the potential for organisations with a strong track record in delivering high-quality cultural events to secure similar opportunities. Businesses capable of showcasing expertise in exhibition and event management services stand well-positioned to provide these services, thereby benefiting from enhanced visibility and growth in the sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Durham Book Festival 25/26- Programming & Delivery

Notice Description

Durham Book Festival (DBF) is a Durham County Council event produced by New Writing North with support from Durham University and Arts Council England (ACE). Alongside Brass and Lumiere, DBF forms a key part of DCC's status as an NPO with ACE. To maintain continuity and consistency we are seeking to extend the existing 2 year contract with New Writing North by 2 years to cover the festivals in 2025 and 2026, which will take us to the end of the existing NPO period with ACE. We feel that New Writing North stands alone as the best delivery vehicle for the festival and have delivered to consistently high standards.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-ec7378c8-264a-4eca-85c6-4734d5ef9f3a
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9899684f-2e6c-4c1f-bde3-356b1f7ea290
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Negotiated without a call for competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79950000 - Exhibition, fair and congress organisation services

79952000 - Event services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£130,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£130,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jun 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
1 Sep 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
31 Aug 20241 years ago
Contract Period
1 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2026 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Zoe Embleton
Contact Email
zoe.embleton@durham.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 0

Buyer Location

Locality
DURHAM
Postcode
DH1 5UQ
Post Town
Durham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Neville's Cross
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NEW WRITING NORTH

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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