This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

18 Jun 2026 at 15:45

TenderUpdate

24 Mar 2026 at 10:34

TenderUpdate

13 Mar 2026 at 13:00

Tender

08 Mar 2026 at 13:26

Summary of the contracting process

Christchurch Town Council, a sub-central government public authority located in Christchurch, United Kingdom, has recently concluded a procurement process for a Christmas lighting services contract spanning the 2026-2028 festive seasons. The contract, awarded to SPARKX LIMITED, entails the design, supply, installation, testing, maintenance, and removal of Christmas lighting displays across key locations in Christchurch. The procurement followed an open competition method below the threshold to ensure fair participation. The contract was awarded on 13th May 2026 with an active status, and runs from 13th July 2026 to 12th July 2028, with a provision for extension subject to the pricing structure. Key locations for the lighting displays include the town centre, coastal areas, and community spaces, nourishing the festive spirits through a fully managed service ensuring compliance with all safety standards.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specializing in the design and installation of lighting and festive displays. Companies capable of providing innovative, energy-efficient LED solutions with rapid response capabilities for maintenance and fault resolutions are particularly well-suited. SMEs, like SPARKX LIMITED, have shown to be competitive, demonstrating that smaller businesses can thrive in such procurement landscapes by delivering high-quality and economically advantageous proposals. The commitment to sustainability within the evaluation criteria supports businesses that prioritize energy efficiency and environmental management in their operations, providing a competitive edge in the procurement process.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Christmas Lights 2026-2028

Notice Description

The contract covered the design, supply, installation, testing, maintenance and removal of Christmas lighting displays across Christchurch for the 2026-2028 festive seasons, with the option to extend for a further year. The scope included the provision of all lighting equipment and infrastructure, the installation and operation of displays across key town centre, coastal and community locations, and the lighting of either one or up to seven Christmas trees supplied by the Council. The service was delivered as a fully managed solution, including project management, maintenance and fault response during the operational period, and compliance with all relevant safety, electrical and highway standards. The contract was awarded on a fixed-price basis, inclusive of all costs associated with delivery of the service (excluding VAT), including design, labour, equipment, maintenance, and associated risks.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The contract includes the option for the Council to procure additional lighting motifs, installation services, or related infrastructure during the contract term, subject to the same pricing structure and performance standards. These purchases will only be made if required to expand or enhance the Christmas lighting scheme and will not exceed the scope of the original contract.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0664cc
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057755-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

51 - Installation services (except software)


CPV Codes

31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

51100000 - Installation services of electrical and mechanical equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£120,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£120,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£120,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Jun 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
10 Apr 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 May 20262 months ago
Contract Period
12 Jul 2026 - 12 Jul 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CHRISTCHURCH TOWN 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
CHRISTCHURCH
Postcode
BH23 1AY
Post Town
Bournemouth
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK63 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)

Local Authority
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Electoral Ward
Christchurch Town
Westminster Constituency
Christchurch

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SPARKX

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0664cc-2026-06-18T16:45:08+01:00",
    "date": "2026-06-18T16:45:08+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0664cc",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PXDZ-7528-GJXG",
            "name": "Christchurch Town Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PXDZ-7528-GJXG"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Old Town Hall, 30 High Street",
                "locality": "Christchurch",
                "postalCode": "BH23 1AY",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKK24"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Elizabeth Murray",
                "email": "townclerk@christchurch-tc.gov.uk",
                "telephone": "+447570682748"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.christchurch-tc.gov.uk/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-05536931",
            "name": "SPARKX LIMITED",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "05536931"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PMYZ-3195-WXTG"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Wellhead Farm Hale Road",
                "locality": "Aylesbury",
                "postalCode": "HP22 6NJ",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ13"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "sparkx@sparkx.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://sparkx.co.uk/",
                "scale": "sme",
                "vcse": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PXDZ-7528-GJXG",
        "name": "Christchurch Town Council"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0664cc",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Christmas Lights 2026-2028",
        "description": "The contract covered the design, supply, installation, testing, maintenance and removal of Christmas lighting displays across Christchurch for the 2026-2028 festive seasons, with the option to extend for a further year. The scope included the provision of all lighting equipment and infrastructure, the installation and operation of displays across key town centre, coastal and community locations, and the lighting of either one or up to seven Christmas trees supplied by the Council. The service was delivered as a fully managed solution, including project management, maintenance and fault response during the operational period, and compliance with all relevant safety, electrical and highway standards. The contract was awarded on a fixed-price basis, inclusive of all costs associated with delivery of the service (excluding VAT), including design, labour, equipment, maintenance, and associated risks.",
        "status": "complete",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "31000000",
                        "description": "Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "51100000",
                        "description": "Installation services of electrical and mechanical equipment"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 144000,
            "amount": 120000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Below threshold - open competition",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": false,
        "submissionMethodDetails": "Submission address: procurement@christchurch-tc.gov.uk Submission method and instructions: All tender submissions must be sent electronically to the email address above. Tenders must include: A completed Tender Submission Form All required supporting documentation as set out in the Specification Contact details for the organisation and the named project lead",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-04-10T23:59:00+01:00"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-04-03T23:59:00+01:00"
        },
        "otherRequirements": {
            "reservedParticipationLocation": {
                "gazetteer": {
                    "scheme": "GB-ONS",
                    "identifiers": [
                        "K02000001"
                    ]
                }
            }
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "complete",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 144000,
                    "amount": 120000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "selectionCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "description": "The contractor must demonstrate sufficient operational capacity to provide reactive support throughout the installation, display and removal periods. The contractor must be able to attend site within 4 hours for emergency faults and within 24 hours for non-urgent issues during the Christmas lighting season. Bidders must provide evidence of having the necessary resources, personnel and equipment to meet these response times."
                        },
                        {
                            "description": "The contractor must demonstrate sufficient operational capacity to provide reactive support throughout the installation, display and removal periods. The contractor must be able to attend site within 4 hours for emergency faults and within 24 hours for non-urgent issues during the Christmas lighting season. Bidders must provide evidence of having the necessary resources, personnel and equipment to meet these response times."
                        },
                        {
                            "description": "The contractor must demonstrate sufficient operational capacity to provide reactive support throughout the installation, display and removal periods. The contractor must be able to attend site within 4 hours for emergency faults and within 24 hours for non-urgent issues during the Christmas lighting season. Bidders must provide evidence of having the necessary resources, personnel and equipment to meet these response times."
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-07-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2029-06-30T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasOptions": true,
                "options": {
                    "description": "The contract includes the option for the Council to procure additional lighting motifs, installation services, or related infrastructure during the contract term, subject to the same pricing structure and performance standards. These purchases will only be made if required to expand or enhance the Christmas lighting scheme and will not exceed the scope of the original contract."
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "description": "The contract will be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender. Evaluation will consider both price and quality. The following headline criteria will be applied: Quality & Aesthetic Appeal - 40% Assessment of design proposals, visual impact, suitability for locations, technical robustness, and innovation. Cost & Value for Money - 30% Based on the tendered pricing and breakdown per location, including installation, maintenance, removal and associated works. Contract and Project Management - 15% Evaluation of project delivery approach, staffing structure, communication arrangements, quality assurance processes and proposed project plan. Experience & References - 10% Demonstrated relevant experience delivering similar festive lighting contracts within the last five years, with references. Sustainability Measures - 5% Consideration of energy efficiency, recyclability of materials, and environmental management. Compliance & Safety Requirements (Pass/Fail) Tenderers must meet all mandatory compliance requirements including: health and safety policies, working at height assessments, RAMS, relevant accreditations (including HERS where applicable), public liability insurance (PS10m), and evidence of capacity to deliver the contract."
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "L-1",
                "documentType": "technicalSpecifications",
                "url": "https://www.christchurch-tc.gov.uk/?p=9146&preview=true"
            },
            {
                "id": "A-13007",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-13007",
                "format": "application/pdf"
            },
            {
                "id": "A-13008",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-13008",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document"
            },
            {
                "id": "020669-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020669-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-08T13:26:04Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "022975-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022975-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-13T13:00:59Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "026650-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026650-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-24T10:34:58Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "022975-2026",
                "description": "The tender closing date has been revised from 5th April 2026 to 10th April 2026. The original deadline fell on the Easter bank holiday period, which may have limited the ability of potential bidders to complete and submit their proposals. To ensure fairness, provide adequate time for all interested suppliers, and maintain an open and competitive process, the deadline has been extended by five days. No other aspects of the tender have been altered."
            },
            {
                "id": "026650-2026",
                "description": "The deadline for suppliers to submit clarification questions regarding the Christmas Lights contract has been extended. This extension has been made to ensure suppliers have adequate time to seek clarification following the revised tender closing date and to accommodate the contract manager's planned annual leave. All other requirements and documentation remain unchanged."
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en",
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "measure": "bids",
                "value": 4,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "measure": "finalStageBids",
                "value": 3,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "measure": "smeFinalStageBids",
                "value": 3,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "4",
                "measure": "vcseFinalStageBids",
                "value": 0,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ]
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "title": "Christmas Lights Design, Installation and Maintenance Contract 2026-2028",
            "status": "active",
            "date": "2026-05-13T00:00:00+01:00",
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 144000,
                "amount": 120000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "aboveThreshold": false,
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-COH-05536931",
                    "name": "SPARKX LIMITED"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "31000000",
                            "description": "Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting"
                        },
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "51100000",
                            "description": "Installation services of electrical and mechanical equipment"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UKK",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2026-07-13T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2028-07-12T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "hasOptions": true,
            "options": {
                "description": "The contract includes the option for the Council to procure additional lighting motifs, installation services, or related infrastructure during the contract term, subject to the same pricing structure and performance standards. These purchases will only be made if required to expand or enhance the Christmas lighting scheme and will not exceed the scope of the original contract."
            },
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "057755-2026",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK6",
                    "description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057755-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-06-18T16:45:08+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ],
            "milestones": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "type": "futureSignatureDate",
                    "dueDate": "2026-07-10T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "status": "scheduled"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}