Award

Graduation Ceremony Venue Hire

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

04 Feb 2026 at 09:15

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by The Open University involved the hiring of a venue for its graduation ceremony. This project, titled "Graduation Ceremony Venue Hire," falls under the services industry category and was executed using a direct procurement method without competition. The specific venue hired was The Bridgewater Hall, located in Manchester, United Kingdom. The event was scheduled for 11th November 2025, with the contract already awarded and active, signifying completion. Relevant documentation, complying with the legal basis set by the UK Public General Acts, was published on 4th February 2026.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses involved in event services, particularly those capable of providing large-scale venue accommodations. While this contract was secured by The Bridgewater Hall, it emphasizes the potential for similar businesses to engage with public authorities like The Open University, which routinely requires facilities for major institutional events. Companies specialising in event organisation, venue provision, and ancillary services may find opportunities to akin contracts beneficial for fostering growth and expanding business portfolios within the public sector.

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Notice Title

Graduation Ceremony Venue Hire

Notice Description

Hire of Bridgewater Hall for 11th November 2025 graduation ceremony

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-061614
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009748-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79952000 - Event services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£31,014 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
11 Nov 20253 months ago
Contract Period
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025 24 hours
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
finance-tenders@open.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
MILTON KEYNES
Postcode
MK7 6AA
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ12 Milton Keynes
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Milton Keynes
Electoral Ward
Monkston
Westminster Constituency
Milton Keynes Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

THE BRIDGEWATER HALL

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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