This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

18 May 2026 at 14:30

Tender

12 Nov 2025 at 15:27

Summary of the contracting process

The Co-operative Academies Trust has recently concluded an extensive procurement process to appoint suppliers for the provision of catering services across its multi-academy trust network, comprising 38 academies located in West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and Staffordshire. Detailed in the tender PP-10173, this initiative, first announced in November 2025, has reached the award stage as of May 2026, with contracts set to commence on 1 September 2026. The procurement method employed was a competitive flexible procedure, segmented into five lots, each corresponding to a specific geographic location within the UK. This contract will initially cover a period of three years, with potential extensions up to two additional years at the discretion of the Trust.

This tender represents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in catering services, particularly those skilled in managing large-scale educational sector food provision. Companies with expertise in delivering nutritious and diverse meal options while adhering to government standards in nutrition stand to benefit greatly. The competitive procedure tailored to include a careful selection process, targeting both large service providers and SMEs with the capability to handle the substantial service requirements, thus fostering business growth for firms capable of innovating within operational and service delivery in the school catering realm.

How relevant is this notice?

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

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

Lot 2 - West Yorkshire 1

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

Lot 3 - West Yorkshire 2

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

Lot 4 - Staffordshire

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

Lot 5 - Merseyside

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/045387-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

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
£31,800,067 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 May 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
1 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
15 May 20263 months ago
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE CO-OPERATIVE ACADEMIES TRUST
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M60 0AG
Postcode Area
Manchester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
TLD3 Greater Manchester, TLD7 Merseyside, TLE4 West Yorkshire, TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire

Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Piccadilly
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
3
Supplier Names

CATER LINK LIMITED

MIQUILL CATERING LIMITED

Mellors Catering Services Limited

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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