Award

Deed of Variation of Leisure Operating Contract

LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

05 Mar 2026 at 14:35

Summary of the contracting process

In March 2026, the London Borough of Havering finalised a procurement process with Sports and Leisure Management Ltd (SLM) to modify and extend the existing Contract dated 30 September 2016. This amendment involves appointing SLM as the borough's Agent for managing its leisure services across five core facilities, including Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre and Sapphire Ice & Leisure. The procurement, under the Recreational, Cultural and Sporting Services category, introduces a deed of variation slated for 1 April 2026. This contract will operate without prior publication due to the procurement being outside the typical directive's scope, allowing for a permitted modification of an existing arrangement under specific regulations. The initial contract is valued at £175,000,000 and remains active throughout its 20-year duration with possibilities for a 5-year extension, ensuring consistent leisure benefits for residents and a guaranteed minimum revenue for the borough.

The deed of variation represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in leisure management and associated services like facilities maintenance and sports operations. By adopting an agency model, the borough ensures continuity of quality leisure services, thereby requiring firms with established expertise in community-focused recreational operations. The partnership with a large-scale enterprise like SLM emphasises the borough's commitment to sustainability while fostering economic growth through VAT efficiencies and potential increases in service capacity. Enterprises capable of leveraging adaptive service models within regulated frameworks would thrive in such collaborative roles, providing value both to the borough's financial ecosystem and its residents' leisure experience.

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Notice Title

Deed of Variation of Leisure Operating Contract

Notice Description

London Borough of Havering intends to enter into a deed of variation with Sports and Leisure Management Limited (SLM) in relation to the Leisure Operating Contract dated 30 September 2016 in order to appoint SLM as London Borough of Havering's agent in delivering the leisure services at the London Borough of Havering's core leisure centre facilities. The core leisure centre facilities include: * Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre * Noak Hill Sports Complex * Central Park Leisure Centre * Rainham Leisure Centre * Sapphire Ice & Leisure The date of the proposed modification is 1 April 2026.

Lot Information

Lot 1

London Borough of Havering intends to enter into a deed of variation with Sports and Leisure Management Limited (SLM) in relation to the leisure management contract (Contract) dated 30 September 2016 in order to appoint SLM as the London Borough of Havering's agent in delivering the leisure services at the London Borough of Havering's core leisure centre facilities. The core leisure centre facilities include: * Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre * Noak Hill Sports Complex * Central Park Leisure Centre * Rainham Leisure Centre * Sapphire Ice & Leisure The date of the proposed modification is 1 April 2026.

Procurement Information

The procurement is a permitted modification of an existing contract. Explanation: This voluntary ex ante transparency notice (VEAT Notice) gives notice that the London Borough of Havering is entering into a deed of variation (Variation) to make certain changes summarised in this VEAT Notice. A procurement procedure is not necessary on the basis that the Deed of Variation of the Contract is permitted pursuant to Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Contract is for the operation and management of the London Borough of Havering's five leisure centres to ensure the London Borough of Havering can provide quality and affordable leisure services for the residents within the borough, maintain the facilities and provide a financial return to the borough to invest in core services. The Contract will be varied to adopt an agency model for the future operation and management of the five sports and leisure facilities. Under the current Contract, SLM acts as Principal in the supply of leisure facilities to the public. Under the new agency model in the Variation, SLM would make supplies to the public as an Agent of the London Borough of Havering so that it is the London Borough of Havering providing leisure services to the public through its Agent. This modification is being made in accordance with regulation 72(1)(e) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 on the basis that it is not substantial within the meaning of regulation 72(8). The proposed modification does not constitute a substantial modification and is permitted by regulation 72 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 because: (a) the modification does not render the Contract materially different in character. The Variation concerns the same type, scope and nature of services which will be delivered at the same London Borough of Havering facilities to the London Borough of Havering's residents. The Contract was already for the operation of the London Borough of Havering's leisure facilities and the Variation makes contractual changes to establish an agency model so that SLM provides the London Borough of Havering's statutory leisure services to the public on the London Borough of Havering's behalf and other ancillary modifications. This generates VAT savings. (b) the modification does not introduce conditions which would have (i) allowed for the admission of other candidates, (ii) allowed for the acceptance of another tender, or (iii) attracted additional participants in the procurement procedure. Delivering the London Borough of Havering's statutory leisure services as agent rather than outsourced contractor will not affect the physical operation of the leisure centres. The change to an agency model for VAT purposes does not change the service requirement or the way in which those services are provided, and is unlikely to have changed the outcome of the procurement. (c) The modification does not change the economic balance in favour of the contractor in a manner which was not provided for in the initial contract. The new agency model and associated VAT benefits does not impact on SLM's operating costs and management fee under the Contract, which remains reflective of market costs. The agency model will provide a greater return than previously anticipated. (d) the modification does not extend the scope of the contract.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06632c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019977-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services


CPV Codes

79993000 - Building and facilities management services

92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

92610000 - Sports facilities operation services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£175,000,000 £100M-£1B

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
29 Apr 20169 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ROMFORD
Postcode
RM1 3BB
Post Town
Romford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI5 Outer London - East and North East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI52 Barking & Dagenham and Havering
Delivery Location
TLI52 Barking & Dagenham and Havering

Local Authority
Havering
Electoral Ward
St Edward's
Westminster Constituency
Romford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SPORTS AND LEISURE MANAGEMENT LTD (SLM

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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