Tender

Festive Activation at Pier Head and St George's Plateau

LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

18 Mar 2026 at 16:51

Planning

21 Jan 2026 at 15:55

Summary of the contracting process

Liverpool City Council is inviting tenders for the "Festive Activation at Pier Head and St George's Plateau," which are key locations poised to enhance the city's festive offerings. This procurement, categorised under hotel, restaurant, and retail trade services, aims at creating high-quality festive experiences that bolster the local economy and attract visitors to Liverpool. Two lots are involved, focusing on delivering festive services at Pier Head and St George's Plateau. The process is currently in the tender stage with an open procedure, with relevant details accessible from the council's designated contact point. Interested parties must ensure submissions by the deadline of 14 April 2026, with prior enquiries needed by 7 April 2026.

This procurement represents significant business opportunities, particularly for operators equipped to manage large-scale festive events. Ideal candidates would have expertise in venue management, event planning, and trader coordination while demonstrating a capacity for sustainable and inclusive practices. SMEs may find this tender particularly appealing due to its suitability criteria. Given the potential three-year extension under this procurement, businesses can secure a long-term role in shaping Liverpool's festive landscape, fostering opportunities for sustained growth within the hospitality and retail sectors. The council seeks an operator who can provide a combination of free and paid experiences, enhancing Liverpool's festive appeal and value propositions.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Festive Activation at Pier Head and St George's Plateau

Notice Description

Liverpool City Council (LCC) is seeking an Operator to deliver high-quality, destination enhancing, festive activation. under a 'License to Occupy' at two iconic locations, to create a distinctive and memorable festive experience that attracts visitors, supports the local economy, and reinforces Liverpool's status as one of the UK's leading festive destinations. The tender seeks an Operator (or Operators x 2) relating to the design, provision, installation, and operation of a festive attraction(s), seasonal market stalls and food and beverage outlets, delivered at St George's Plateau and the Pier Head from the 2026/27 season onward. LCC seeks to procure an experienced Operator to take full responsibility for the end-to-end design, build, management, and delivery of all activity within each allocated site(s), including but not limited to: - * Full end-to-end operations, incl. Site design, layout, infrastructure, site build, site management, and site de-rig * Completion of Event Management Plans, representation at JAG and SAG * Management and curation of all traders * Provision and oversight of all attractions and activations * Food and beverage strategy, planning, and delivery * Coordination and arranging utilities requirements * Back-of-house coordination * Comprehensive health & safety, crowd management, and security plans * Front-of-house delivery visitor experience * Accessibility planning and inclusive visitor experience * Sustainable and environmentally responsible practices Liverpool City Council role and responsibility will be: * To issue a Land Use Agreement to the appointed Operator on a commercial basis (the Council will enter the agreement as the landowner) * To set the standards, parameters and define the desired outcomes * To monitor operator performance and ensure compliance with all regulatory and contractual requirements Bidders are encouraged to submit proposals with a mix of high-quality, free and paid for festive activations that enhance Liverpool's seasonal offer and create memorable experiences for residents and visitors, while remaining complimentary and sensitive to the unique character and heritage of both Pier Head and St George's Plateau. There should be a festive centrepiece at the heart of the offer which will attract footfall and create dwell time. Activations should contribute positively to the overall festive atmosphere, elevate the city's Christmas programme, and integrate seamlessly within these culturally and historically significant spaces.

Lot Information

Pier Head

An internationally recognised waterfront space, acting as a major anchor within the visitor economy by welcoming millions of visitors each year to experience the city's heritage, public events, and world-class views across the Mersey.

Renewal: The option of 3 year extensions anticipated to be in annual increments

St George's Plateau

St George's Plateau is one of Liverpool's most prominent civic spaces, positioned at the heart of the city's cultural quarter. It is a key gathering point for major public events and celebrations, due to its iconic backdrop of St George's Hall and its strong connectivity across the city centre and directly outside Lime Street national rail station.

Renewal: The option of 3 year extensions anticipated to be in annual increments

Planning Information

There will be an engagement event being held on the 9th February 2026 from 12 noon to 1.30pm

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060b7d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024833-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

55000000 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£240,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£240,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
14 Apr 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
23 Feb 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
24 May 2026 - 25 May 2026 24 hours
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LIVERPOOL 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
LIVERPOOL
Postcode
L3 1DS
Post Town
Liverpool
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD72 Liverpool
Delivery Location
TLD72 Liverpool

Local Authority
Liverpool
Electoral Ward
Waterfront South
Westminster Constituency
Liverpool Riverside

Further Information

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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