Tender

Procurement of a development partner for the redevelopment of Mayes Yard

BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

16 Jun 2025 at 14:36

Tender

16 Jun 2025 at 14:30

Summary of the contracting process

Bedford Borough Council is seeking a development partner for the redevelopment of Mayes Yard, as part of their ambitious regeneration plans for Bedford Town Centre. The project aims to create an exemplary mixed-use development serving as a cultural hub to catalyse further regeneration in Bedford. The redevelopment encompasses approximately 3.5 acres, including key landmarks such as the former Debenhams Department Store and the Central Library. Interested parties must submit expressions of interest by 14th July 2025 at 13:00 BST. The procurement process, currently at the tender update stage, follows a competitive flexible procedure under the selective procurement method, with the contract anticipated to commence in March 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses in the construction, real estate development, and architectural sectors. Companies with expertise in mixed-use developments, urban planning, and cultural infrastructure projects would be ideally suited to compete for this contract. The development's scope, valued at £120 million, includes potential for around 250 new homes and various commercial spaces, offering plenty of avenues for business growth. The focus on quality and innovative design, alongside financial and legal robustness, underlines the Council's commitment to selecting a partner capable of realising their vision for Bedford's future.

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

Procurement of a development partner for the redevelopment of Mayes Yard

Notice Description

Bedford Borough Council wish to appoint a development partner to enter into a development agreement for the redevelopment of Mayes Yard as part of the Council's overall regeneration plans for Bedford Town Centre. The Council's vision is for an exemplary mixed-use development that will provide a cultural hub for Bedford and act as a catalyst for wider regeneration. The overall site extends to c. 3.5 acres in which the Council own various freehold interests including the former Debenhams Department Store, Central Library, Corn Exchange and Harpur Suite. The Council undertook a massing exercise to understand the potential for the site which indicated potential for c. 250 new homes alongside new retail, leisure and commercial space. Whilst this study is made available to via the Council's procurement portal it is not prescriptive, and the selected developer would work with the Council in bringing forward the designs for the new development alongside other matters to bring the opportunity forward. Alongside commercial and residential development, the Council's project objectives include the re-provision of the Central Library as part of the development and the Council has ambitions to extend the capacity of the Corn Exchange to 1,000+ seats. The contractual arrangements will be through a Development Agreement where land is drawn down upon the satisfaction of conditions. Further particulars in respect of the opportunity are set out in the documents issued via the Council's procurement portal. Between March and May 2025 the Council's advisors undertook a market engagement exercise. They engaged with suppliers to establish the level of interest in the development site and the key parameters for undertaking a procurement. The exercise was also utilised to understand whether any elements of the proposed scheme / the Council's emerging thinking raised any factors bearing on the procurement or commercial terms being developed by the Council within the market. The responses and feedback received (including from meetings held) have informed the Council's requirements, procurement approach, conditions for participation and award criteria, likely suppliers who may be able to supply the services and works, and the intended commercial terms. The engagement also helped the Council establish marked knowledge of, and interest in, the opportunity. Further detail on the market engagement exercise is set out in the Preliminary Market Engagement Notice issued by the Council on 5 June 2025. It should be noted that the 'total value (estimated)' stated in this notice is an expression of the estimated gross development value of the development which could be delivered through the opportunity.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05497a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032675-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

70 - Real estate services

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

45000000 - Construction work

70110000 - Development services of real estate

71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£120,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£120,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Jun 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Mar 2026 - 1 Apr 2034 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
BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
commercial.hub@bedford.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BEDFORD
Postcode
MK42 9AP
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH24 Bedford
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Bedford
Electoral Ward
Cauldwell
Westminster Constituency
Bedford

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-05497a-2025-06-16T15:36:21+01:00",
    "date": "2025-06-16T15:36:21+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05497a",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PLCV-4616-VTHL",
            "name": "Bedford Borough Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PLCV-4616-VTHL"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street",
                "locality": "Bedford",
                "postalCode": "MK42 9AP",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKH24"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "Commercial.Hub@bedford.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PLCV-4616-VTHL",
        "name": "Bedford Borough Council"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05497a",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Procurement of a development partner for the redevelopment of Mayes Yard",
        "description": "Bedford Borough Council wish to appoint a development partner to enter into a development agreement for the redevelopment of Mayes Yard as part of the Council's overall regeneration plans for Bedford Town Centre. The Council's vision is for an exemplary mixed-use development that will provide a cultural hub for Bedford and act as a catalyst for wider regeneration. The overall site extends to c. 3.5 acres in which the Council own various freehold interests including the former Debenhams Department Store, Central Library, Corn Exchange and Harpur Suite. The Council undertook a massing exercise to understand the potential for the site which indicated potential for c. 250 new homes alongside new retail, leisure and commercial space. Whilst this study is made available to via the Council's procurement portal it is not prescriptive, and the selected developer would work with the Council in bringing forward the designs for the new development alongside other matters to bring the opportunity forward. Alongside commercial and residential development, the Council's project objectives include the re-provision of the Central Library as part of the development and the Council has ambitions to extend the capacity of the Corn Exchange to 1,000+ seats. The contractual arrangements will be through a Development Agreement where land is drawn down upon the satisfaction of conditions. Further particulars in respect of the opportunity are set out in the documents issued via the Council's procurement portal. Between March and May 2025 the Council's advisors undertook a market engagement exercise. They engaged with suppliers to establish the level of interest in the development site and the key parameters for undertaking a procurement. The exercise was also utilised to understand whether any elements of the proposed scheme / the Council's emerging thinking raised any factors bearing on the procurement or commercial terms being developed by the Council within the market. The responses and feedback received (including from meetings held) have informed the Council's requirements, procurement approach, conditions for participation and award criteria, likely suppliers who may be able to supply the services and works, and the intended commercial terms. The engagement also helped the Council establish marked knowledge of, and interest in, the opportunity. Further detail on the market engagement exercise is set out in the Preliminary Market Engagement Notice issued by the Council on 5 June 2025. It should be noted that the 'total value (estimated)' stated in this notice is an expression of the estimated gross development value of the development which could be delivered through the opportunity.",
        "status": "active",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "LOT-0001",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "45000000",
                        "description": "Construction work"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "70110000",
                        "description": "Development services of real estate"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71000000",
                        "description": "Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "LOT-0001"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 120000000,
            "amount": 120000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "selective",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive flexible procedure",
        "procedure": {
            "features": "Interested parties should refer to 'Section 2: Participation Process' of the Invitation to Participate and the Invitation to Tender (as issued via the Council's Portal) for further details of the Council's intended process for the procurement. Interested parties are invited to submit a Participation Submission. The Council will evaluate Participation Submissions received in accordance with the participation criteria and methodology set out in 'Section 4: Participation Submission evaluation' of the Invitation to Participate. Subject to there being sufficient Bidders qualifying, the Council's intention is to invite up to three (3) Bidders to tender. If there is a minimal scoring gap between Bidders three (3) and four (4), the Council reserves the right to invite four (4) Bidders to tender. Following the shortlist, the Council will formally issue the Invitation to Tender to the shortlisted Bidders (the \"Tenderers\"). The Council intends to hold a number of meetings with the Tenderers to discuss their emerging proposals, before issuing a call for Final Tenders. The Council reserves the right to introduce additional meetings or remove meetings throughout the procurement. Final Tenders received will be evaluated in accordance with the award criteria set out in the draft Invitation to Tender (as issued via the Council's Portal). Further detail on the award criteria will be set out in the updated Invitation to Tender issued at shortlisting. Following evaluation, and identification of the most advantageous tender, the Council intends to hold 'preferred tenderer' stage with the Tenderer who submitted the most advantageous tender prior to entry into contract so as to clarify and confirm commitments made and for limited post tender negotiation. The Council reserves the right to vary the procurement process set out above and in the procurement documents at any stage in the procurement. Please note that the 'contract start date' and 'award decision date' included within this Tender Notice are estimates and may be subject to change."
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "works",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://in-tendhost.co.uk/bedford/aspx/Home",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "expressionOfInterestDeadline": "2025-07-14T13:00:00+01:00",
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-02-02T23:59:59Z"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "LOT-0001",
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 120000000,
                    "amount": 120000000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "weightingDescription": "This procurement is weighted as follows: Quality: 60% Financial: 30% Legal: 10% Bidders should refer to further detail on the award criteria set out in the Invitation to Tender. Full draft award criteria will be issued at commencement of the tender stage of the procurement process. Quality: 60% Concept / scheme 30% Delivery 30% Financial: 30% Financial offer 17.5% Funding 12.5% Legal: 10% Legal 10%",
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Simple description",
                            "description": "This procurement is weighted as follows: Quality: 60% Financial: 30% Legal: 10% Bidders should refer to further detail on the award criteria set out in the Invitation to Tender. Full draft award criteria will be issued at commencement of the tender stage of the procurement process. Quality: 60% Concept / scheme 30% Delivery 30% Financial: 30% Financial offer 17.5% Funding 12.5% Legal: 10% Legal 10%"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-03-31T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2034-04-01T23:59:59+01:00"
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "032670-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032670-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-06-16T15:30:11+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "032675-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032675-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-06-16T15:36:21+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}