Tender

Invitation to Tender for the provision of Catering Services at The Lantern Learning Trust and Hawksworth Wood Primary School

THE LANTERN LEARNING TRUST (INNER CITY NORTH, LEEDS)

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

16 Mar 2026 at 11:06

Tender

16 Mar 2026 at 10:55

Summary of the contracting process

The Lantern Learning Trust and Hawksworth Wood Primary School, located in Leeds, have initiated an active invitation to tender for the provision of catering services, as part of the public authority sub-central government sector. This procurement process, classified under CPV category 55524000 for school catering services, employs an open procedure method encompassing services above the threshold value of £1,173,630.94. The procurement stage currently involves tender updates, with key dates including the tender issuance on 16th March 2026, site visits scheduled for 31st March 2026, and tender response submissions due by 12:00 on 17th April 2026. Leeds holds the primary region focus, aiming for contract commencement on 1st September 2026, with a potential maximum contract duration extending to 31st August 2031 with renewal options.

The tender presents substantial business opportunities for service providers specialising in innovative and customer-focused catering solutions in the education sector. It is particularly suited for entities able to offer a modern, branded catering service that aligns with industry trends, prioritising local and seasonal produce. The process seeks a partner that demonstrates proactive relationship management and investment in marketing efforts, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements such as allergen labelling. SMEs have a favourable opportunity to submit competitive bids, with award criteria balanced equally between cost and quality (each constituting 50% of evaluation criteria), potentially enhancing growth and visibility through collaboration with educational institutions committed to healthy eating and food education initiatives.

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Notice Title

Invitation to Tender for the provision of Catering Services at The Lantern Learning Trust and Hawksworth Wood Primary School

Notice Description

The Lantern Learning Trust and Hawksworth Wood Primary School have decided to tender their catering services to investigate the financial and qualitative benefits they could be offered through this process. The Schools involved are: - * Blenheim Primary School * Brudenell School * Quarry Mount Primary School * Rosebank Primary School * Hawksworth Wood Primary School Aims of the Service The Trust and Hawksworth Wood wish to be at the forefront of school catering and as such require a modern, branded offer that reflects the leading trends in the industry. At this time, the Trust's wish is to commence a catering contract, with a partner who shares their vision for a customer-focused service that attracts the maximum number of students. The meals that are to be provided must be appealing to customers, imaginative, provide good value for money and be nutritionally balanced to encourage all students to make an educated choice. The Trust's objectives for the new contract are as follows:- * Natasha's Law (2021): Full allergen labelling on all pre-packed food. * HFA Halal Compliance where required. * Healthy eating promotion & food education initiatives. * Seasonal, locally sourced produce prioritised. * A catering service that is well managed and requires minimal involvement from the Trust's management team. * A strong Contractor Area Manager who will develop and lead the team to deliver exceptional customer service, a consistently high quality food offer and spend a substantial amount of time on site at the outset to undertake this. * A Contractor who is proactive in their relationship management with the Trust. * Investment in the Trust's Catering service through increased marketing in return for a tenure of contract. * A higher number of students and staff using the facilities by providing a high quality, affordable and nutritious meal. * A catering service that encourages students to take a heathy and balanced meal. * Food and drinks that look appetising and are attractively presented. * A hospitality service that will help showcase the Trust through events to parents and visitors. * A Contractor that adopts a flexible and proactive approach to all Trust activities. * A service that is professionally merchandised and marketed with discretion and to the mutual benefit of the Trust and the Contractor. * A Contractor that operates using the optimum level of staffing. Tender Schedule: Issue of Invitation to Tender - 16th March 2026 Bidding Companies to Visit Sites - 31st March 2026 Clarification Deadline - 10th April 2026 Clarification Return Deadline - 15th April 2026 Deadline for return of Tender Responses - 12:00 on 17th April 2026 Presentation by shortlisted bidders - 19th May 2026 Reference site visits - w/c 18th May 2026 or w/c 1st Jun Contract Awarded by - 5th June 2026 Mobilisation Meeting - w/c 22nd June 2026 Contract Commencement - 1st September 2026

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 3 years initial contract and then 2 optional 1 year extension taking the contract to a maximum of 5 years.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066abd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023391-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

55524000 - School catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£978,025 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£978,025 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Mar 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
17 Apr 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE LANTERN LEARNING TRUST (INNER CITY NORTH, LEEDS)
Additional Buyers

HAWKSWORTH WOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL

RED BOX CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LEEDS
Postcode
LS2 9EX
Post Town
Leeds
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE4 West Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE42 Leeds
Delivery Location
TLE42 Leeds

Local Authority
Leeds
Electoral Ward
Kirkstall
Westminster Constituency
Leeds Central and Headingley

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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