Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Provision, Installation and Operation of Christmas Attractions in Albert Square Manchester

Manchester City Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

11 Sep 2026 at 14:11

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

24 Dec 2025 at 08:36

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Manchester City Council procured a full-service Christmas attraction for Albert Square in Manchester. The requirement covers the installation and operation of an ice rink, including skate hire, changing facilities, capacity management and safe visitor operations. It also includes varied food and drink, family attractions such as an ice bar, curling rink, ice sculptures, an observation wheel, rides or fairground installations, and seasonal decoration, lighting, projections, music and signage. The operator is responsible for site management, staffing, stewarding, first aid, security, emergency procedures, licensing, health and safety, marketing and promotion. The service combines event and festival organisation, entertainment, catering, security and the assembly of temporary structures, with sustainability, social value and community engagement expected. Delivery is in Manchester city centre.

This is an awarded and completed open procedure for a concession service. Frostfall was awarded the single contract on 1 September 2026, following 11 valid bids. The award is worth £28,723,677 excluding VAT, or £34,468,412 including VAT. The contract runs from 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2030, with two optional 12-month extensions available, giving a maximum period to 30 June 2032. The original estimated value was £20,000,000 excluding VAT, or £24,000,000 including VAT. The tender closed on 13 February 2026 at 11:00, enquiries closed on 23 January 2026, and the planned signature date was 30 November 2026. Evaluation weighted quality at 45%, social value and zero carbon at 30%, and price at 25%. Economic and technical selection requirements applied.

This award demonstrates substantial, recurring demand from Manchester City Council for a single operator able to create and run a large, high-profile festive destination. A credible future competitor would need integrated capability across temporary-event construction, ice-rink delivery, attractions, catering, entertainment, security, stewarding, first aid, staffing, licensing and health and safety. The requirement favours organisations that can manage the whole visitor experience rather than provide only one specialist service, while coordinating specialist equipment providers and partners where needed. Strong creative programming and seasonal theming would be important, alongside reliable operational systems, visitor capacity management and effective marketing. Suppliers should also be able to evidence practical delivery of sustainability, zero-carbon measures, social value and community engagement. The competition included eight small and medium-sized enterprises, showing that scale does not necessarily require a large corporate supplier.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision, Installation and Operation of Christmas Attractions in Albert Square Manchester

Notice Description

Manchester's annual festive programme is one of the most celebrated in Europe, attracting millions of visitors and creating a vibrant seasonal atmosphere across the city. As part of Manchester City Council's commitment to enhancing the city's cultural and event offering, we seek competent proposals for the delivery of Albert Square's Christmas attraction from 2027 onwards. Historically, Manchester's Christmas activities have included the award-winning Christmas Markets, an ice rink at Cathedral Gardens, and a range of family-friendly installations. With the full reopening of Albert Square following Town Hall regeneration works, the Council aims to create a world-class festive destination that complements the existing city-wide offer and strengthens Manchester's reputation as a leading winter destination. The requirement is for a Christmas attraction in Albert Square, operating seven days a week during the festive period (November to early January), featuring the following core elements: An ice rink, managed and installed by the appointed operator, providing a safe and authentic skating experience for visitors. The proposal should include rink size, capacity, and associated facilities such as skate hire and changing areas. A varied food and beverage offering, aligned with the Manchester Christmas Markets ethos, catering for diverse tastes and dietary requirements while delivering a sense of place. Family-friendly festive attractions, which may include (but are not limited to) an ice bar, curling rink, ice sculptures, an observatory wheel, rides, funfair, or other creative installations that enhance the visitor experience and differentiate Albert Square from other UK festive destinations. Seasonal theming and dressing, including Christmas decorations, lighting features, projections, music, and branded signage to create a cohesive and welcoming environment. The successful operator will be responsible for full site management, including stewarding, first aid, staffing, security, emergency procedures, and compliance with all licensing and health and safety requirements. Marketing and promotion of the attraction will also form part of the operator's obligations, working in partnership with Manchester City Council to maximise visitor engagement. It is anticipated that to deliver these elements, the winning contractor will need to source equipment and collaborate with specialist providers where necessary. All proposals should demonstrate creativity, operational competence, and a commitment to sustainability, social value, and community engagement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fd0d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086455-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

CPV Codes

45223800 - Assembly and erection of prefabricated structures

55520000 - Catering services

79710000 - Security services

79952000 - Event services

79953000 - Festival organisation services

79956000 - Fair and exhibition organisation services

92300000 - Entertainment services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
£28,723,677 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
13 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Sep 20261 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jul 2027 - 30 Jun 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Manchester City Council
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 2LA
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
TLD33 Manchester
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Piccadilly
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Frostfall

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...