Planning

Octagon Theatre Refurbishment Project

SOMERSET COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

05 Feb 2026 at 11:59

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

05 Feb 2026 at 11:57

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

05 Feb 2026 at 11:51

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Somerset Council is seeking to engage suppliers for the Octagon Theatre Refurbishment Project, located in Taunton, United Kingdom. The project falls under the industry category of construction and civil engineering works, with an estimated contract value of £12 million. Currently in the planning stage, the procurement process is set to proceed under an NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract. A key date for interested suppliers is the Preliminary Market Engagement Event scheduled for 19 February 2026, hosted online via Microsoft Teams. This event marks the beginning of the market engagement process and is an opportunity for potential suppliers to gain insight into the project scope, design constraints, and procurement process, as outlined by the buyer, Somerset Council.

This tender provides a considerable opportunity for businesses in the construction and civil engineering sector, particularly those skilled in refurbishment and improvement works. The project will encompass new build extensions, repairs, upgrades, and various improvements to theatre facilities, making it suitable for SMEs with relevant expertise. Enhancements will include environmentally sustainable practices, accessibility improvements, and technical stage upgrades. Businesses specialising in sustainable practices and innovative construction solutions will benefit from participating in this competitive procurement process, potentially leading to significant growth and contribution to regional cultural infrastructure.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Octagon Theatre Refurbishment Project

Notice Description

The publication of this preliminary market notice starts the market engagement process for Somerset Council's (the Authority's) for the refurbishment and improvement works. The Authority wishes to engage with potential suppliers with an expertise in the successful delivery of similar works and provide an overview of the Authority's proposed approach and procurement process. The Authority wishes to enter into a NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract for this work.

Planning Information

A Preliminary Market Engagement Event will be hosted online by Somerset Council on Thursday 19 February 2026 at 15:30 Suppliers should use the messaging function on the portal to request the meeting link: Portal address - https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login Listing - ERFX1002793 - Octagon Theatre Refurbishment Project The meeting will be hosted on Microsoft Teams - the link can be accessed through a web browser and does not require that you have Microsoft Teams installed. The Preliminary Market Engagement Event is intended for the Authority's officers to share information with regards to this contract. The Draft Agenda for the Preliminary Market Engagement Event will be as follows: • Introductions • Design Scope and Constraints • Procurement Process • Conditions of Contract - NEC4 • Questions • Closing Information Attendance or non-attendance will not prejudice any supplier's participation in any subsequent procurement exercise/s. The slides, information presented, and any questions & responses provided will be made available following the event. The publication of this preliminary market notice starts the market engagement process for Somerset Council's (the Authority's) for the refurbishment and improvement works. The Authority wishes to engage with potential suppliers with an expertise in the successful delivery of similar works and provide an overview of the Authority's proposed approach and procurement process. The Authority wishes to enter into a NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract for this work. The objective of the Authority is to deliver the following outcomes: • The replacement/renewal of the plant, machinery and physical infrastructure of the building - investment to meet current compliance requirements and provide resilience. • Improving accessibility for all, including additional accessible toilets throughout the building for customers, a changing places facility and an accessible dressing room, also with accessible toilet and shower. • Renewing and improving the auditorium and rehearsal space for a better audience experience and wider participation. • Reorganisation and significant improvement of front of house facilities - significant benefits for audience experience, particularly for trading incomes from food and drink. • Backstage accessibility improvements to ensure comprehensive accessibility. • Plans to improve the environmental impact of the venue - energy efficiency measures/sustainable practices. • Increased revenue from front-of-house facilities. • Improvements to the stage house and backstage area will significantly improve the technical aspects of our productions. Raising the roof will enable the team to fly cloths out and a backstage crossover will support the ambitions of the theatre programme and talented local community groups. The Authority is publishing this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice to inform the market of its intention regarding the above. Key elements of the project include: • New build extension • Repairs, upgrades and refurbishment of the existing building fabric such as new roof, insulation, cladding, doors, windows. • Auditorium Refurbishment: The main auditorium will undergo a full refurbish-ment, including new seating, carpets, and layout improvements. • Participatory Studio, Enhanced Café Bar, Front of House and Customer Facili-ties Customer facilities will be substantially improved, including a major in-crease in the number and accessibility of toilets. This will include: o Toilets on each level of the venue o Gender-neutral toilet options o Additional accessible toilets o A Changing Places facility to meet the needs of those with complex dis-abilities • The redevelopment will ensure full accessibility throughout the venue. En-hancements include: • Lift access to all floors o Accessible toilets and showers both front-of-house and backstage o Improved circulation for audiences, performers, and staff o Backstage & Technical Enhancements: Substantial improvements to the stage house and backstage areas • Key upgrades include: o Raising the stage house roof to accommodate a double-purchase coun-terweight flying system that will mean the theatre will be able to fly stage cloths out and support more technically challenging productions o Installation of a backstage crossover o Structural interventions to adjust the existing build o Mechanical and Electrical works o Landscaping works (hard and soft) o Fit out of kitchens, WCs, public areas o Specialist theatre fit out including stage engineering, acoustics and the-atrical systems

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0648be
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010401-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

45200000 - Works for complete or part construction and civil engineering work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£12,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Feb 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Apr 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2028 2-3 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
SOMERSET COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
commercialandprocurement@somerset.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
TAUNTON
Postcode
TA1 4DY
Post Town
Taunton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK62 Somerset
Delivery Location
TLK23 Somerset CC
Local Authority
Somerset
Electoral Ward
Bishop's Hull & Taunton West
Westminster Constituency
Taunton and Wellington

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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