Award

Graduation Ceremony Venue Hire

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

09 Feb 2026 at 10:14

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process, initiated by The Open University, involved the hiring of York Barbican for graduation ceremony venue services, classified under event services. The contract, titled "Graduation Ceremony Venue Hire," falls within the services industry category, specifically targeting event management. The procurement was managed through a direct method below threshold and without competition. Located in Milton Keynes, UK, the university sought services for two ceremonies to be held on 1 October 2026. The award stage was completed and formalised with a contract signed on 18 December 2025.

This tender presents opportunities for businesses specialising in event services, particularly those capable of facilitating large-scale, ceremonial events without requiring competitive tendering due to the direct procurement method. While the contract was awarded to Legends Global Services Limited, businesses with capabilities in managing prestigious events at well-known venues like the York Barbican are ideal contenders for similar future opportunities. The collaboration enhances a firm's profile and expands their portfolio within the higher education sector in the UK.

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Notice Title

Graduation Ceremony Venue Hire

Notice Description

Hire of York Barbican to hold two Open University ceremonies on 01 October 2026

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064ad8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011258-2026
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
£25,700 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
18 Dec 20252 months ago
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 1 Oct 2026 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

LEGENDS GLOBAL SERVICES

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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