Tender

Marine Hall Theatre Operating Contract

WYRE BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

17 Oct 2025 at 12:09

Planning

04 Apr 2025 at 12:49

Summary of the contracting process

Wyre Borough Council, located in Poulton-le-Fylde, United Kingdom, is actively seeking an operator for the Marine Hall Theatre in Fleetwood. This tender, under the title "Marine Hall Theatre Operating Contract," is currently in the Tender phase, with the procurement set to follow an open procedure. The contract, valued at approximately £6,895,000, falls under the recreational, cultural, and sporting services category. Key dates include the enquiry period ending on 8th December 2025, tender submissions closing on 15th December 2025, and the award period concluding on 25th March 2026. The contract will commence on 3rd August 2026 and run until 2nd August 2033, with the possibility of a seven-year renewal. The chosen operator is expected to collaborate closely with the council to deliver a rich cultural experience at this iconic venue.

This contract offers substantial opportunities for business growth, particularly for firms in the entertainment, cultural, and hospitality sectors. The council's vision for an 'Entertainment Hub' at Marine Hall includes varied cultural and commercial activities, providing an excellent platform for innovative operations and community engagement. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and organisations involved in voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sectors are especially encouraged to participate, benefiting from the council's commitment to supporting diverse operational models. With robust community support, investment in infrastructure, and a strategic waterfront location, the Marine Hall presents a lucrative opportunity for businesses eager to expand their footprint in the cultural and leisure industry.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

Marine Hall Theatre Operating Contract

Notice Description

Marine Hall is an art deco, multipurpose venue built in 1935 and is celebrating its 90th birthday in November 2025. Sitting in a prime seafront location, surrounded by beautiful, well-kept gardens. Marine Hall has a strong emotional connection with the people of Fleetwood who very often have grown up with the venue, met their special loved one, and occasionally even married them in the Hall. Such strong community connections ensure there is support for the Hall to build on what has already gone before, achieve success and deliver a viable mix of community and professionally staged events across the year. In keeping with its place as an important community asset, the Hall was given over to the use as a Covid-19 vaccination hub for two years during the pandemic when all cultural activity came to a halt. Whilst this reminded local people of its value, it also made it more difficult to bring it back to life in its natural guise as it was still administering vaccines when other venues were benefiting from a Covid bounce. Wyre Council have committed to the future of Marine Hall, both as a singular space for entertainment and cultural participation and as a central element of the Fleetwood Waterfront Masterplan which embraces the Hall as an economic driver for other activity and wellbeing activities on the seafront location. On taking part in a survey on the future of the Marine Hall two years ago, local people made it clear they expect to see the Hall maintained, strengthened and continue to be used as a cultural asset. In ensuring viability for the Hall, work was done to achieve a viable programming option that could take the venue forward. Moving from a fixed fee-based venue for hire to a commercial "split deal" venue has allowed venue management to rebuild a more varied and attractive programming proposition with higher value promoters and artists whilst still staging community product in a financially viable way. Our versatile main hall holds 650 people seated or 957 standing and is capable of staging a full-on market with changeover to a seated theatre show or a full dinner or cabaret setting. Marine Hall benefits from two very sizeable bar spaces servicing the auditorium. There is an appetite within the council to continue to invest in what is undoubtedly a major cultural asset and Wyre will work in partnership with the successful operator and key stakeholders to deliver a strong and viable cultural offer at Marine Hall. In bringing our aspirations for the redevelopment of the Waterfront Bar closer to reality, Wyre have invested approximately PS35,000 in architectural design work up to RIBA 3 for this space and the adjoining kitchen. In doing so, we aim to create a daytime hospitality and hire proposition as well as a second performance space with the capacity of 110. In recognition that these changes have the potential to deliver new income streams in the future which will undoubtedly play a key part in the operator's commercial and artistic plans, we will provide opportunities during the tender process for potential operators to influence these. We envisage the full cost of this investment will sit with Wyre and predict any such work will take place from April 2026 with completion in time for Christmas 2026. Provisional drawings have been provided in the data room but these are subject to change throughout the process. In addition to the standard programme, Marine Hall will stage our inaugural Film Festival in February 2026. With opportunities for local as well as national and international film makers to screen their work, this promises to play a big part in developing movie making talent within Wyre. Investment from Wyre has already delivered a new ticketing and CRM system that better allows us to understand and market to our existing audience whilst devising strategies to build the audience of the future. Advance bookings currently sit higher than the previous nine years cumulatively and continued effort to improve programming will see this grow further, particularly with the addition of our second space. Wyre are seeking a theatre operator as a partner in delivering these and future cultural aspirations for the people of Fleetwood and the wider Wyre area.

Planning Information

We are inviting interested parties to visit the facility on the 22nd or 23rd May to meet with council officers and view the site. Individual meetings with interested parties will be arranged on site or via teams if unable to attend. All submissions of clarifications relating to this opportunity or to organise a meeting with council officers are to be made via procurement@wyre.gov.uk.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04fd5d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066307-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services


CPV Codes

92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£6,895,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£6,895,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
15 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
13 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Aug 2026 - 2 Aug 2033 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WYRE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
POULTON-LE-FYLDE
Postcode
FY6 7PU
Post Town
Blackpool
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD4 Lancashire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD44 Lancaster and Wyre
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England), TLD4 Lancashire

Local Authority
Wyre
Electoral Ward
Breck
Westminster Constituency
Fylde

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-04fd5d-2025-10-17T13:09:47+01:00",
    "date": "2025-10-17T13:09:47+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-04fd5d",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PXVT-3374-BYXZ",
            "name": "Wyre Borough Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PXVT-3374-BYXZ"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Civic Centre",
                "locality": "Poulton-le-Fylde",
                "postalCode": "FY6 7PU",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKD44"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement@wyre.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PXVT-3374-BYXZ",
        "name": "Wyre Borough Council"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "We are inviting interested parties to visit the facility on the 22nd or 23rd May to meet with council officers and view the site. Individual meetings with interested parties will be arranged on site or via teams if unable to attend. All submissions of clarifications relating to this opportunity or to organise a meeting with council officers are to be made via procurement@wyre.gov.uk.",
                "dueDate": "2025-05-26T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "013101-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013101-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-04-04T13:49:55+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "DN777151",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Marine Hall Theatre Operating Contract",
        "description": "Marine Hall is an art deco, multipurpose venue built in 1935 and is celebrating its 90th birthday in November 2025. Sitting in a prime seafront location, surrounded by beautiful, well-kept gardens. Marine Hall has a strong emotional connection with the people of Fleetwood who very often have grown up with the venue, met their special loved one, and occasionally even married them in the Hall. Such strong community connections ensure there is support for the Hall to build on what has already gone before, achieve success and deliver a viable mix of community and professionally staged events across the year. In keeping with its place as an important community asset, the Hall was given over to the use as a Covid-19 vaccination hub for two years during the pandemic when all cultural activity came to a halt. Whilst this reminded local people of its value, it also made it more difficult to bring it back to life in its natural guise as it was still administering vaccines when other venues were benefiting from a Covid bounce. Wyre Council have committed to the future of Marine Hall, both as a singular space for entertainment and cultural participation and as a central element of the Fleetwood Waterfront Masterplan which embraces the Hall as an economic driver for other activity and wellbeing activities on the seafront location. On taking part in a survey on the future of the Marine Hall two years ago, local people made it clear they expect to see the Hall maintained, strengthened and continue to be used as a cultural asset. In ensuring viability for the Hall, work was done to achieve a viable programming option that could take the venue forward. Moving from a fixed fee-based venue for hire to a commercial \"split deal\" venue has allowed venue management to rebuild a more varied and attractive programming proposition with higher value promoters and artists whilst still staging community product in a financially viable way. Our versatile main hall holds 650 people seated or 957 standing and is capable of staging a full-on market with changeover to a seated theatre show or a full dinner or cabaret setting. Marine Hall benefits from two very sizeable bar spaces servicing the auditorium. There is an appetite within the council to continue to invest in what is undoubtedly a major cultural asset and Wyre will work in partnership with the successful operator and key stakeholders to deliver a strong and viable cultural offer at Marine Hall. In bringing our aspirations for the redevelopment of the Waterfront Bar closer to reality, Wyre have invested approximately PS35,000 in architectural design work up to RIBA 3 for this space and the adjoining kitchen. In doing so, we aim to create a daytime hospitality and hire proposition as well as a second performance space with the capacity of 110. In recognition that these changes have the potential to deliver new income streams in the future which will undoubtedly play a key part in the operator's commercial and artistic plans, we will provide opportunities during the tender process for potential operators to influence these. We envisage the full cost of this investment will sit with Wyre and predict any such work will take place from April 2026 with completion in time for Christmas 2026. Provisional drawings have been provided in the data room but these are subject to change throughout the process. In addition to the standard programme, Marine Hall will stage our inaugural Film Festival in February 2026. With opportunities for local as well as national and international film makers to screen their work, this promises to play a big part in developing movie making talent within Wyre. Investment from Wyre has already delivered a new ticketing and CRM system that better allows us to understand and market to our existing audience whilst devising strategies to build the audience of the future. Advance bookings currently sit higher than the previous nine years cumulatively and continued effort to improve programming will see this grow further, particularly with the addition of our second space. Wyre are seeking a theatre operator as a partner in delivering these and future cultural aspirations for the people of Fleetwood and the wider Wyre area.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "92000000",
                        "description": "Recreational, cultural and sporting services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKD4",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKD",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 8274000,
            "amount": 6895000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-08-03T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2033-08-02T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2040-08-02T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 8274000,
                    "amount": 6895000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Management Fee",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 40,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "description": "Social value is included in quality",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 60,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "One seven year extension available"
                }
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-06-13T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://procontract.due-north.com/",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-12-15T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-12-08T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-03-25T23:59:59Z"
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "066307-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066307-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-10-17T13:09:47+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "riskDetails": "Fleetwood Waterfront Masterplan which was published in January 2024. Local Government Reorganisation in 2028."
    },
    "language": "en"
}