Planning

Martello Tower E - Preliminary Market Engagement

TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

05 May 2026 at 15:22

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

16 Mar 2026 at 14:36

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

As of 5th May 2026, Tendring District Council, in collaboration with Essex County Council, is in the planning stage of a public procurement process for the Martello Tower E project, located in Clacton-on-Sea, United Kingdom. This initiative is part of a broader £19.8m district regeneration programme and focuses on the conservation, repair, and refurbishment of the historic Martello Tower E into a future events and cultural venue. The procurement is currently in the market engagement phase, with a scheduled deadline for feedback by 2nd June 2026. The project encompasses various works, including the installation of a weather enclosure, heritage conservation, and refurbishment, with an indicative value of £2.25 million, and holds an expected contract period starting in December 2026 through to December 2030. Addressing immediate condition issues of this historic Grade II listed structure is a key priority.

This procurement opportunity is ideal for contractors and specialists with expertise in heritage and conservation-led construction, particularly those familiar with work on Scheduled Monuments and listed buildings. Businesses with capabilities in erecting temporary weather protection structures and handling complex refurbishments in coastal environments will find this opportunity well-suited to their expertise. Participation in this preliminary market engagement can provide businesses with the chance to influence packaging, phasing of works, and to offer insights on market capacity and capability, aiding in shaping a detailed procurement plan for Martello Tower E. With significant funding allocated, this project not only promises business growth but also the prestige of contributing to a landmark community regeneration initiative.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Martello Tower E - Preliminary Market Engagement

Notice Description

This notice is issued to inform the market of an upcoming works opportunity and to seek early market feedback to help shape the procurement strategy, scope, and delivery approach. This Pre-Market Engagement (PME) exercise does not constitute a commitment by the Authority to commence a procurement or to award any contract. Participation is voluntary and will not provide any advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement process. Note: A previous Pre-Market Engagement exercise was undertaken; however, limited market interest indicated that the project approach required reconsideration. As a result, the Authority has reviewed the delivery strategy and now intends to combine all elements of the works (temporary enclosure, enabling works, repair and refurbishment) into a single procurement package Tendring District Council has secured funding as part of a wider PS19.8m regeneration programme to deliver a number of schemes across the district. One of the key projects is the repair, conservation and refurbishment of Martello Tower E, a Napoleonic-era coastal defence structure located in Clacton-on-Sea. Approximately PS2.25m has been allocated to repurpose the tower into a future events and cultural venue, while conserving its historic fabric and significance for future generations. Martello Tower E is a Scheduled Monument and Grade II listed structure, and the Authority has been working closely with Historic England, who are supportive of the proposed approach. The proposed procurement package will initially focus on addressing the building's immediate condition issues, followed by repair, conservation and refurbishment works. The scope is indicative and subject to further development but is expected to include: - UKPN power connection and associated works - Erection of a temporary weather enclosure to allow drying out - Careful lifting, numbering and storage of historic building fabric in line with conservation best practice - Enabling works as required - Conservation-led repair works -Refurbishment works to prepare the building for an incoming tenant, including: Floor refurbishments Installation of external windows and doors Platform lift and staircase Mechanical and electrical services Internal and below-ground drainage and attenuation - Construction of a small new pavilion building to support future use The Authority is seeking early feedback from suitably experienced contractors and specialists, particularly those with expertise in: - Heritage and conservation-led construction - Work to Scheduled Monuments and listed buildings - Temporary works and weather protection structures - Complex refurbishment in exposed coastal environments Feedback may help inform: - Packaging and phasing of works - Risk allocation - Procurement procedure and timescales - Market capacity and capability

Planning Information

This notice is not a call for competition and does not pre‑judge or guarantee participation in any future procurement. The Market Engagement Information Pack and accompanying questionnaire will be made available via the Open portal. Interested organisations are invited to take part by: Visiting: https://www.open-uk.org/opportunities Searching for Essex County Council Selecting project reference OPEN2026813 Downloading the Market Engagement Pack and completing the questionnaire before the deadline Important information: This market engagement exercise is purely informational and does not affect any future procurement process, evaluation, or tender timetable. Responding is entirely optional and will not advantage or disadvantage any supplier. Essex County Council and Tendring District Council accept no liability for any costs incurred in responding. All communications must be submitted through the Open messaging function. Supplier registration on Open is free. To create an account, please contact open.support@nepo.org and they will create an account for you. Technical support is available via the Open Helpdesk at: open.support@nepo.org

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066b2c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041200-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

44212317 - Scaffolding structures

44212320 - Miscellaneous structures

45000000 - Construction work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,250,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 May 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Jun 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2026 - 1 Dec 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCIL
Additional Buyers

ESSEX COUNTY 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
CLACTON-ON-SEA
Postcode
CO15 1SE
Post Town
Colchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

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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