Planning

Purbeck Sports Centre Catering Provision

DORSET COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

06 Jun 2025 at 10:39

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

06 Jun 2025 at 10:35

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Dorset Council is currently in the planning stage for a public procurement process concerning the provision of catering facilities at the Purbeck Sports Centre. This initiative is focused on the catering industry and is located in Dorset, United Kingdom (region UKK25). As a part of this process, the Council is engaging in early market engagement to gather insights and feedback from potential suppliers to shape the procurement strategy. The procurement process is scheduled to commence in October 2025 with the operational service expected to begin on 1st April 2026. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their views by completing a market engagement questionnaire before the deadline on 4th July 2025. Clarification questions can be submitted by 27th June 2025. The contract is planned to run for five years, with potential renewal extending it to a maximum of ten years and is valued at £5,000,000 GBP, falling under a concession contract framework.

This procurement opportunity is particularly suited for businesses with established experience in the café/bar industry, a commitment to sustainable practices, and innovative approaches to menu development and customer engagement. Businesses offering restaurant, food-serving, canteen, and beverage services are well-positioned to benefit from this contract. By participating in this tender, businesses can not only expand their service portfolio but also secure a significant concession contract, thereby enhancing their growth and presence within the region. Dorset Council's focus on sustainability and locally sourced products presents additional opportunities for businesses that align with these values. With the contract open to those capable of demonstrating robust financial and operational management skills, the procurement process promises to be competitive yet rewarding.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Purbeck Sports Centre Catering Provision

Notice Description

This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is not a call for competition. It is being published to give notice to the market of an upcoming procurement anticipated for release in October 2025. Dorset Council (the Council) is undertaking early market engagement, with the aim of providing information to and requesting feedback from the catering Industry, about aspects of the Council's Catering Facilities Procurement at Purbeck Sports Centre. The operational service delivery elements would commence on 1st April 2026 under a Concession Contract. The market engagement exercise is intended to allow interested organisations with appropriate experience to outline their views and ideas about the future provision of these services. No information provided in response to this questionnaire will be used by the Council in assessing providers during the procurement process, which is scheduled to commence October 2025. Any procurement for the supply and services required by the Council will be carried out in accordance with relevant Procurement Regulations. This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is not a call for competition and is published with the intention of informing the market of an upcoming procurement process. Dorset Council reserves the right not to commence any procurement in respect of this notice. Dorset Council shall not be liable for any losses incurred by any party as a result of reliance on the information contained/linked herein. The information contained in this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is preliminary in nature and may be subject to further amendment and revision. Accordingly, no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, will be made and no liability is, or will be, accepted by the Council as to the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of this document. Any liability however arising is expressly disclaimed. No expense in responding to this soft market testing will be reimbursed by the Council.

Planning Information

Dorset Council (the Council) is undertaking early market engagement, with the aim of providing information to and requesting feedback from the Catering Industry, about aspects of the Council’s Catering Facilities Procurement at Purbeck Sports Centre. The Council wishes to seek feedback from the industry in the following specific areas, but would welcome any additional comments also: • Deliverability of this procurement exercise • Services to be included • Contract length • Terms and conditions The process will involve relevant companies and organisations responding to the market engagement questions provided on the Council's e-tendering portal Supplying the South West Portal – https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=b155dec6-c042-f011-8136-005056b64545&p=696a9836-1895-e511-8105-000c29c9ba21 The soft market testing exercise is intended to allow interested organisations with appropriate experience to express an interest in the opportunity and to outline their views and ideas about the future provision of these services. It is anticipated that as part of any procurement process, organisations will be expected to show: • Proven experience in the cafe/bar industry. • A commitment to sustainability and locally sourced products. • Innovative ideas for menu development and customer engagement. • Strong financial and operational management capabilities. The deadline for responses to the market engagement questionnaire is 2.00pm 04 July 2025. Any clarification questions should be submitted via Supplying the South West Portal no later than 2.00pm on 27 June 2025. It is not a requirement that all sections are completed by all respondents. Where Dorset Council think further clarification would assist them in informing this process, one-to-one meetings may be necessary with interested organisations who complete and return the questionnaire. Please be aware that no information submitted will be treated as confidential and may be disclosed to ensure a level playing field for all participants in any procurement process that may follow. Additionally, the council will only sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) using its standard terms and conditions if subsequently requested.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-054444
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030516-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

CPV Codes

55300000 - Restaurant and food-serving services

55400000 - Beverage-serving services

55500000 - Canteen and catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Jun 202511 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DORSET 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
DORCHESTER
Postcode
DT1 1XJ
Post Town
Dorchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK64 Dorset
Delivery Location
TLK25 Dorset
Local Authority
Dorset
Electoral Ward
Dorchester West
Westminster Constituency
West Dorset

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. 

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