Award

The Mulberry Schools Trust Catering

MULBERRY SCHOOLS TRUST CATERING TENDER

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

28 Oct 2025 at 19:27

Tender

09 Dec 2023 at 18:40

Summary of the contracting process

The Mulberry Schools Trust, located in the Borough of Tower Hamlets, London, is seeking to award the contract for catering services across its schools through a selective procurement method, specifically a restricted procedure. This process involves five secondary schools and two primary schools, with a possible addition of one more secondary school by early 2024. The trust, which supports over 5,000 students and 400 staff, demands high standards in the services provided under the contract. The procurement process has reached the award stage, with the contract signed on October 28, 2025, for a value of £1,500,000. The initial contract period of three years begins on 1st September 2024, with an option to extend by two years, contingent upon satisfaction and agreement on budgets and service levels. The tendering phase originally ended on 10th January 2024.

This tender represents an opportunity for businesses in the catering industry, particularly those established within the educational sector, to expand their operations in London. The contract offers potential growth through increased sales and the uptake of Free School Meals by maintaining high standards of food quality and management. To be eligible, businesses must either possess or be able to obtain Admitted Body Status in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Companies with experience in managing large-scale catering operations in educational institutions, and those capable of forming a strong working relationship with the trust, will find this tender particularly suited to their strengths. Accent Catering, a supplier familiar to the trust, was awarded the contract after a competitive selection process involving three bids, demonstrating the level of interest and opportunity available.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

The Mulberry Schools Trust Catering

Notice Description

The Mulberry Schools Trust is a dynamic and successful Trust based in the Borough of Tower Hamlets, London. The Trust are tendering the catering services in five secondary schools and two primary school in London. They have over 5,000 students between the ages of 11 and 18 on roll and over 400 teaching and support staff.The schools have well equipped kitchens, a busy main restaurant and numerous satellite serving areas to help support demand throughout the day. The incumbent caterer is Accent Catering in 5 schools, Caterlink in one school and one school is managed by Tower Hamlets Contract Services. The catering teams are well-regarded by the Trust and they are seen as a core part of daily life for the students. The teams across the sites have a mix of LGPS and NEST Pension schemes, bidders should already have, or be able to achieve, Admitted Body Status in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. One additional secondary school may join the tender early in 2024.The contract start da

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Mulberry Schools Trust is a dynamic and successful Trust based in the Borough of Tower Hamlets, London. The Trust are tendering the catering services in five secondary schools and two primary schools in London. They have over 5,000 students between the ages of 11 and 18 on roll and over 400 teaching and support staff.The schools have well equipped kitchens, a busy main restaurant and numerous satellite serving areas to help support demand throughout the day. The incumbent caterer is Accent Catering in 5 schools, Caterlink in one school and one school is managed by Tower Hamlets Contract Services. The catering teams are well-regarded by the Trust and they are seen as a core part of daily life for the students and primary children. The teams across the sites have a mix of LGPS and NEST Pension schemes, bidders should already have, or be able to achieve, Admitted Body Status in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. One additional secondary school may join the tender early in 2024.The contract start date is the 1st of September 2024 and this will be for an initial three-year period. There is an option for both parties to extend the contract for a further two years subject to client satisfaction and client agreement on budgets and service levels. This contract will reward maximising sales and FSM uptake through pro-active management and consistently high levels of food quality and tangible contract support. The Trust expects high standards of food and service quality in every school every day and a strong working relationship with the successful bidder.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-042302
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069185-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Restricted procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

55524000 - School catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1,500,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Oct 20252 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
10 Jan 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Oct 20252 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MULBERRY SCHOOLS TRUST CATERING TENDER
Contact Name
Glenn Campbell
Contact Email
info@cohesionconsultingltd.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E1 2JP
Post Town
East London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI42 Tower Hamlets
Delivery Location
TLI41 Hackney and Newham, TLI42 Tower Hamlets

Local Authority
Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward
Shadwell
Westminster Constituency
Bethnal Green and Stepney

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ACCENT CATERING

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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