Planning

002777 - Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) for Strategic Catering Opportunities across County Durham

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

29 Oct 2025 at 14:34

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Durham County Council is currently at the planning stage of a procurement process aimed at exploring corporate-wide catering service options across multiple public venues in County Durham. The procurement is in the Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) phase, seeking insights and interest from the market before formal tendering. The industry category is focused on restaurant and food-serving services, and canteen and catering services, with notable venues including Abbey Leisure Centre, Bishop Auckland Town Hall, and the Gala Theatre, among others. Interested parties should submit responses to the PME questionnaire by 12 noon on 3rd December 2025, with the procurement process intending to culminate in a service contract ranging from 2027 to 2035. The procurement method is open, with a planned contract value up to £28.8 million.

This opportunity represents significant potential for growth for businesses in the catering sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can bid for one or multiple venues. Being a PME stage, it allows businesses to influence requirements and adapt their proposals to better meet Council needs. Companies with expertise in large-scale catering or those offering innovative service delivery models will find this procurement of strategic interest. Active engagement with this process can position businesses for long-term contracts that contribute to their portfolio and enhance market visibility.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

002777 - Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) for Strategic Catering Opportunities across County Durham

Notice Description

Durham County Council (DCC) are looking to explore the market options in relation to a corporate wide catering review and externally delivered catering solution across a number of its public facing venues. The Council has taken time to consider its position and ability to deliver a catering offer through its public facing venues and initial input from the market through previous market engagement exercises. The Council has now identified two key delivery routes which it would like to explore further. This exercise is to help support the Council's decision making going forward and consider information provided by the market on the level of interest from external provision, potential lease options and key areas of information required to help the Council in any potential Procurement activity. The Council has identified the following venues to be in scope of this market engagement opportunity: * Abbey Leisure Centre * Bishop Auckland Leisure Centre * Bishop Auckland Town Hall * Durham Dales Tearoom * Durham Leadership Centre * Empire Theatre, Consett * Gala Theatre * Hardwick Park * Killhope Lead Mining Museum * Peterlee Leisure Centre * Spennymoor Leisure Centre * The Dunes Cafe * The Light (formerly known as the Durham Light Infantry Museum) * The Louisa Centre * The Story * Wharton Park Please note this is a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) opportunity only at this stage. We are welcoming written responses to our PME questionnaire at this stage. The questionnaire can be accessed free of charge by registering on the Open Portal at open-uk.org The estimated contract value includes all venues within scope, however we also welcome responses from SMEs who may be interested in one or more venue.

Planning Information

Durham County Council (DCC) are looking to explore the market options in relation to a corporate wide catering review and externally delivered catering solution across a number of its public facing venues. The Council has taken time to consider its position and ability to deliver a catering offer through its public facing venues and initial input from the market through previous market engagement exercises. The Council has now identified two key delivery routes which it would like to explore further. This exercise is to help support the Council's decision making going forward and consider information provided by the market on the level of interest from external provision, potential lease options and key areas of information required to help the Council in any potential Procurement activity. The Council has identified the following venues to be in scope of this market engagement opportunity: • Abbey Leisure Centre • Bishop Auckland Leisure Centre • Bishop Auckland Town Hall • Durham Dales Tearoom • Durham Leadership Centre • Empire Theatre, Consett • Gala Theatre • Hardwick Park • Killhope Lead Mining Museum • Peterlee Leisure Centre • Spennymoor Leisure Centre • The Dunes Café • The Light (formerly known as the Durham Light Infantry Museum) • The Louisa Centre • The Story • Wharton Park Please note this is a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) opportunity only at this stage. We are welcoming written responses to our PME questionnaire at this stage. The questionnaire can be accessed free of charge by registering on the Open Portal at open-uk.org. Search for '002777 - Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) for Strategic Catering Opportunities across County Durham.' Download, complete and submit the PME Questionnaire through the Open Portal by Wednesday 3rd December 2025 at 12 noon. The estimated contract value includes all venues within scope, however we also welcome responses from SMEs who may be interested in one or more venue.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d65a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069429-2025
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
SME
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

55500000 - Canteen and catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£24,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Oct 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
3 Dec 20254 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
zoe.embleton@durham.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
DURHAM
Postcode
DH1 5WB
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
TLC14 Durham
Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate and Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

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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