Planning

National Christmas Tree Sales Concessions

FORESTRY COMMISSION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

05 Dec 2025 at 11:19

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Forestry Commission, acting as the buyer, has initiated a procurement process for the National Christmas Tree Sales Concessions, under the planning stage. Scheduled discussions with potential bidders are intended to shape the final tender documentation to be released in February/March 2026. The procurement focuses on the retail trade services sector, involving multiple sites across the United Kingdom, including notable locations like Cannock Chase and Salcey Forest. The process entails early market engagement and aims for formal tender announcements on 2nd March 2026, with the contract period commencing on 1st June 2026.

This tender presents lucrative opportunities for businesses specialising in retail trade services, particularly those with experience in concessions or Christmas tree sales. It offers considerable growth potential due to its offer of awards across various UK sites, divided into lots, allowing flexibility in bidding for one or more locations. The opportunity is well-suited for SMEs and VCSEs, given the structured approach of the concessions model and the expected contract value that could reach £2.2 million over the total duration. Concessionaires can engage in early discussions to influence future procurement strategies, ensuring their needs and capabilities are adequately considered.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

National Christmas Tree Sales Concessions

Notice Description

Forestry England is looking to work with concessionaires to deliver Christmas trees sales at selected forest centres across the country. These sites are well-established and popular with visitors. Selling Christmas trees is not a new venture for us and we have built a loyal customer base over many years, either through direct sales or by working with trusted partners. At some sites where we have previously sold trees ourselves, we are now exploring opportunities to work with concessionaires. In addition, some of our current concession agreements are coming to an end, and we will be re-tendering those opportunities. This early market engagement exercise is intended to help us understand concessionaire interest and gather feedback ahead of a formal procurement process. Through this engagement, we aim to: Gauge concessionaire interest in the opportunity and identify which sites are of interest. Raise awareness of the upcoming procurement and invite concessionaires to speak with us, visit the sites, and potentially observe Christmas tree sales in action. Understand what financial arrangements concessionaires might propose, such as a percentage of turnover. Provide a space for open discussion and answer any questions concessionaires may have. About the Opportunity Forestry England is the largest land manager in England and part of the Forestry Commission. We care for the nation's forests, helping people connect with nature, supporting wildlife, and enabling sustainable business. We would like to award a seasonal sales agreement for Christmas tree sales at multiple sites. Existing Christmas tree sales sites are listed in the table below, where we'd like to continue this activity. We are also open to discussions about other Forestry England sites that could host Christmas tree sales, including locations that haven't previously offered this opportunity. The contract will be divided into lots, allowing concessionaires to bid for one or multiple lots. The proposed contract duration is up to 5 years, structured as 2+2+1 years with review points. We require that the trees, and any wood-based products, sold are sourced legally and sustainably in line with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) / PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) and FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade). The concessionaire should provide Pine, Fir and Spruce species. The total estimated value of this seasonal sales agreement, across all sites, over the entire period, including any extension will be in the region of PS2.2 million. Sales Sites: Lot 1 Cannock Chase - Central District Estimated 5-year Value - PS575,000 Number of Trees Sold - 2024 - 2,060, 2023 - 2,455, 2022 - 3,016 Lot 2 Salcey Forest - Central District Estimated 5-year Value - PS139,000 New requirement, no current sales data available, value based on estimates Lot 3 Alice Holt Forest Park - South District Estimated 5-year Value - PS404,000 Number of Trees Sold - 2024 - 1,449, 2023 - 1,931, 2022 - 2,050 Lot 4 New Park - South District Estimated 5-year Value - PS220,000 Number of Trees Sold - 2024 - 790, 2023 - 791, 2022 - 737 Lot 5 Whinlatter - North District Estimated 5-year Value - PS293,000 Number of Trees Sold - 2024 - 1,049, 2023 - 1,091, 2022 - 1,052 Lot 6 Hamsterley - North District Estimated 5-year Value - PS103,000 Number of Trees Sold - 2024 - 369, 2023 - 295, 2022 - 386 Lot 7 Dalby Forest - Yorkshire District Estimated 5-year Value - PS101,000 Number of Trees Sold - 2024 - 363, 2023 - 293, 2022 - 376 Lot 8 Haldon Forest Park - West District Estimated 5-year Value - PS342,000 Number of Trees Sold - 2024 - 1,226, 2023 - 1,366, 2022 - 1,387 We welcome interest from concessionaires of all sizes and encourage early conversations to help shape the future procurement. If you would like to learn more, express interest, or arrange a site visit, please get in touch.

Planning Information

Forestry England are looking to engage and have discussions with prospective bidders about the current structure of the Seasonal Sales Agreements for the Christmas Tree Sales sites. Discussions will help inform the final tender documentation to be published in February/March 2026

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ef79
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080061-2025
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

CPV Codes

55900000 - Retail trade services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,200,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Dec 20252 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Mar 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jun 2026 - 30 May 2028 1-2 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
FORESTRY COMMISSION
Contact Name
Sam Harris
Contact Email
commercial.services@forestryengland.uk
Contact Phone
0300 067 4000

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS16 1EJ
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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