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Operating The Blackwood Miners' Institute

Caerphilly County Borough Council

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Tender

30 Sep 2026 at 15:59

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

26 Feb 2026 at 09:50

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

24 Feb 2026 at 09:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

23 Feb 2026 at 16:31

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Caerphilly County Borough Council is seeking an external operator to manage Blackwood Miners’ Institute, a Grade II listed cultural and heritage venue in Blackwood, Wales. The service covers strategic leadership and day-to-day operation, including artistic and cultural programming, staffing, audience development, community engagement, venue hire and commercial activity. The operator is expected to protect the Institute’s heritage and public value while developing it as an inclusive, financially sustainable cultural destination. The Council will remain the building’s landlord and custodian, responsible for long-term stewardship and major structural maintenance. The work combines arts and entertainment programming with operation of a cultural venue and care for a historic site.

The Council invited offers through an open procedure, and the procurement has reached the tender stage. Bids are due by 12 noon on 18 November 2026; questions must be submitted by 5pm on 11 November 2026. The Council expects to decide on the award by 14 December 2026. The contract is scheduled to run from 1 February 2027 to 31 January 2032, with an option to extend for up to five years, to 31 January 2037. Its estimated value is £1.6 million excluding VAT (£2 million including VAT). This is a single-lot opportunity. Bids are evaluated on quality alone, weighted at 100%. Electronic submission is allowed, and responses may be submitted in English or Welsh.

The opportunity suits organisations with proven experience in cultural, arts, heritage, entertainment or venue management, and a track record of running sustainable, community-focused operations. The operator will need to set a clear direction for the Institute and deliver high-quality artistic and cultural programming, while engaging local communities, developing audiences and supporting creative activity. Commercial capability is also central: suppliers must be able to develop venue hire and other income-generating activity and balance these with the venue’s public role. Strong operational management is needed to oversee staffing and diverse venue spaces and to work in partnership with the Council. The requirement is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises. Depending on the proposed operating model, eligible staff may transfer under TUPE.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Operating The Blackwood Miners' Institute

Notice Description

Blackwood Miners' Institute (BMI) is a cultural landmark with a proud history. Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC) is seeking to appoint an external operator to lead the artistic, cultural, community and commercial activity of this Grade II listed historic venue Following a comprehensive review of the venue's future operating model, CCBC is now commencing a formal procurement process to identify a suitably experienced organisation to manage and develop Blackwood Miners' Institute. The Council is inviting applications from organisations with proven expertise in cultural, arts, heritage, entertainment and venue management, and a strong track record of delivering sustainable and community focused operations. The successful operator will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational management of the venue, ensuring the delivery of a high quality artistic and cultural programme, engaging local communities, maximising commercial opportunities and safeguarding the long term sustainability of the Institute. Through this tender opportunity, CCBC is seeking an operator that can demonstrate a clear vision for the future of Blackwood Miners' Institute, building upon its heritage and reputation while developing a vibrant, financially resilient, and inclusive cultural destination. Tenderers will be required to submit responses in accordance with the requirements set out within the procurement documentation. Submissions will be evaluated against the published criteria, including quality, financial sustainability, operational capability, and community impact. Following evaluation, CCBC intends to appoint a preferred operator and enter into a contractual agreement for the management and operation of Blackwood Miners' Institute. This opportunity represents a unique chance to shape the future of one of Wales' most significant cultural venues and to contribute to the continued cultural, social, and economic development of the local community. Full details can be found in the Initiation to Tender (ITT) Pack

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: With the option to extend for a further period of up to five (5) years.

Planning Information

Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC) is undertaking preliminary market engagement with organisations interested in occupying and operating Blackwood Miners’ Institute (BMI) as a cultural and heritage venue. The Council is looking to appoint an external operator to lead the artistic, cultural, community, and commercial activity of BMI, ensuring its long-term sustainability while protecting its heritage and public value. This opportunity will play a vital role in strengthening cultural participation, supporting community engagement, nurturing creative talent, and contributing to town centre regeneration, while preserving an iconic historic asset for future generations. The external operator will be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the Institute, including artistic programming, staffing, audience development, commercial activity, and venue hire, working in partnership with the Council. CCBC will remain landlord and custodian of the building, retaining responsibility for long-term stewardship and major structural maintenance. The Council is seeking suitable organisations that can deliver ambitious, inclusive, and high-quality cultural programming, develop audiences and community participation, support artist development and creative learning, and generate sustainable income through commercial and event activity. The ability to operate a multi-purpose venue, manage diverse spaces, and balance public value with commercial viability is essential. As part of this market engagement, the Council is sharing headline operational data from 2025 to help prospective operators understand the scale and scope of activity at Blackwood Miners’ Institute: • 37,111 tickets sold • 36,349 audience attendees • £517,868.54 net income • 164 performances delivered • 82% average performance capacity This is an opportunity to work in close partnership with the Council to co-design and deliver a refreshed operating model that will secure the long-term future of Blackwood Miners’ Institute. We want to collaborate with organisations who share our commitment to inclusive, creative, and community-focused cultural provision. Depending on the operating model proposed and following further legal assessment it is anticipated that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) may apply. If TUPE is applicable, eligible staff currently assigned to the operation of BMI may have the right to transfer to the successful external operator on their existing terms and conditions. Organisations wishing to attend a planned site visit to the Blackwood Miners’ Institute on either Wednesday, 11 March 2026, or Wednesday, 18 March 2026, must register their attendance no later than three working days before their chosen visit date. The deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest is 12:00 noon on Thursday, 26 March 2026. The deadline for submitting any questions prior to the Expression of Interest is 12:00 noon on Monday, 23 March 2026. Further details, including timescales and submission requirements, will be issued as part of this tendering process. Organisations interested in attending a site visit and/or submitting an Expression of Interest to tender can contact the Council by Dialogue on the Find-a-Tender Service, Proactis. A link to Proactis is provided below: Logon: https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login Registration Link: https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Registration/Register

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065a79
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/092526-2026
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

70 - Real estate services

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

CPV Codes

70330000 - Property management services of real estate on a fee or contract basis

92310000 - Artistic and literary creation and interpretation services

92320000 - Arts-facility operation services

92330000 - Recreational-area services

92340000 - Dance and performance entertainment services

92520000 - Museum services and preservation services of historical sites and buildings

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,600,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
18 Nov 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
20 Apr 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Caerphilly County Borough 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
HENGOED
Postcode
CF82 7PG
Postcode Area
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL53 Gwent Valleys
Delivery Location
TLL16 Gwent Valleys
Local Authority
Caerphilly
Electoral Ward
Ystrad Mynach
Westminster Constituency
Caerphilly

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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