Tender

PP-10173 Co-op Academies Trust Catering

THE CO-OPERATIVE ACADEMIES TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

12 Nov 2025 at 15:27

Summary of the contracting process

The Co-operative Academies Trust has initiated a tender titled "PP-10173 Co-op Academies Trust Catering" for the provision of catering services across their schools located in West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and Staffordshire. The process is currently in the tender stage, and the procurement method being used is a competitive flexible procedure with selective criteria. The contract aims to cover a three-year period initially, starting from 1st September 2026, with potential extensions for two additional one-year periods. Interested suppliers must submit their expressions of interest by 12th December 2025, ahead of the enquiry period closing on 1st December 2025. The procurement is divided into multiple lots to accommodate different regional needs and includes categories related to school meals, and school catering services.

This tender presents significant opportunities for growth, especially for businesses specialising in catering services with a focus on school dining. The opportunity is well-suited to organisations able to deliver quality, nutritious meals aligned with government standards, as well as SMEs with capabilities in operational management and staff employment for catering services. Successful bidders will assume responsibility for preparing and serving meals to students and staff, engaging with school stakeholders, and managing legal, health, and safety requirements related to food service. Furthermore, the division into lots allows smaller businesses to compete within specific regions such as Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, making it an attractive opportunity for regional caterers to expand their footprint and establish long-term partnerships with educational institutions.

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Notice Title

PP-10173 Co-op Academies Trust Catering

Notice Description

Co-op Academies Trust is a multi-academy trust with schools located in West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and Staffordshire. Their portfolio of schools includes around 38 academies across these areas, serving primary, secondary, and special schools, as well as a college of which 32 will be involved in this tender. The trust currently receives catering provision from the local authority as well as other privately owned incumbents. At the sole discretion of the Trust any future schools that the Trust may incorporate into the Trust will also be added to the contract. Any additional schools will co-terminate to the end same end date of the initial contract. The proposed contract will be for the outsourced provision of catering services to the Client. It is the Client's expectation that the Successful Bidder shall be responsible for the operation of the catering function including employment and management of staff, supply of foodstuffs, consumables and light equipment where required and preparing and serving appropriate meals. The Supplier will also be expected to provide hospitality at certain school events both during and outside of school core hours. The Client will retain responsibility for payment of utilities and the operation and maintenance of core catering equipment and facilities. The Successful bidder will provide a range of good quality, nutritious, attractively presented meals for pupils and staff, that comply with Government's minimum nutritional and food based standards for the educational sector. Meals should reflect growth in healthy eating trends and promote uptake. The Successful Bidder shall establish effective management and operational level communication systems at all levels regarding the catering service with customers that include; School management, parents, and pupils. In addition, the Successful Bidder will also be responsible for all legal and health and safety & food safety requirements in delivering the catering services. Further information on the Client's requirements can be found in the tender package. The Contract period will be for 3 years initially, with the option to extend for two further one-year periods at the discretion of the Client. The Contract is split into Lots.

Lot Information

Lot 1 - Greater Manchester

Co op Academy Belle Vue Co op Academy Broadhurst Connell Co op College Co op Academy Manchester Co op Academy Medlock Co op Academy New Islington Co op Academy North Manchester Co op Academy Swinton

Renewal: Option to extend for two further one-year periods at the discretion of the Client

Lot 2 - West Yorkshire 1

Co op Academy Beckfield Co op Academy Delius Co op Academy Parkland Co op Academy Penny Oaks Co op Academy Smithies Moor Co op Academy Princeville Co op Academy Southfield & Grange

Renewal: Option to extend for two further one-year periods at the discretion of the Client

Lot 3 - West Yorkshire 2

Co op Academy Brierley Co op Academy Brownhill Co op Academy Nightingale Co op Academy Priesthorpe Co op Academy Woodlands

Renewal: Option to extend for two further one-year periods at the discretion of the Client

Lot 4 - Staffordshire

Co op Academy Clarice Cliff Co op Academy Florence MacWilliams Co op Academy Friarswood Co op Academy Glebe Co op Academy Grove Co op Academy Hamilton Co op Academy Northwood Co op Academy Stoke on Trent

Renewal: Option to extend for two further one-year periods at the discretion of the Client

Lot 5 - Merseyside

Co op Academy Hillside Co op Academy Portland Co op Academy Woodslee

Renewal: Option to extend for two further one-year periods at the discretion of the Client

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05dfce
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073264-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

15894210 - School meals

55523100 - School-meal services

55524000 - School catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£31,930,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£31,930,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
1 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 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
THE CO-OPERATIVE ACADEMIES TRUST
Additional Buyers

PLACE GROUP LTD

Contact Name
Miranda Farland
Contact Email
miranda.farland@place-group.com, procurement@coopacademies.co.uk
Contact Phone
+448452577050

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M60 0AG
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK3 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK30 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Delivery Location
TLD3 Greater Manchester, TLD7 Merseyside, TLE4 West Yorkshire, TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire

Local Authority
Cornwall
Electoral Ward
Penzance Promenade
Westminster Constituency
St Ives

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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