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Refurbishment and Restoration of the Theatre Royal Margate

Thanet District Council

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

30 Jul 2026 at 16:44

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

22 Jul 2026 at 09:15

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

30 Mar 2026 at 11:11

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Thanet District Council is procuring refurbishment and restoration works for the Theatre Royal Margate, a Grade II* listed theatre originally built in 1787 and closed to the public in 2022. The purpose is to complete essential capital works so the theatre can reopen and support Margate’s arts offer and the council’s wider Town Plan. The scope includes heritage-sensitive redecoration and specialist plasterwork, new stairs, toilets, bars and an extension with a lift. It also covers heating, ventilation and air-conditioning upgrades to meet Part L where feasible in a listed building, together with fire and life-safety upgrades to meet Part B within the building’s listed constraints. The work will be delivered at the Theatre Royal in Margate.

The procurement has reached tender: Thanet District Council invited offers through an open procedure, using formal quotations and electronic submission through the Kent Business Portal. Clarification questions had to be submitted by 14:00 on 18 August 2026, and completed tenders by 14:00 on 15 September 2026. The council expected to finalise its award decision by 16 October 2026. The single lot has an estimated value of £4,100,000 excluding VAT, or £4,920,000 including VAT. The contract period is 4 November 2026 to 30 September 2027. Evaluation is weighted 60% quality and 40% price. The tender is above the relevant threshold, and the lot is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This opportunity suits an experienced main contractor able to manage a complex cultural-building refurbishment in a live heritage context, including coordination of multiple specialist work packages. Relevant capability includes conservation-sensitive redecoration, specialist plasterwork, structural and building alterations, installation of stairs, toilets, bars and a lift, and construction of a new extension. Suppliers should also be able to plan and deliver HVAC upgrades against Part L requirements where the listed-building restrictions allow, alongside fire and life-safety improvements designed around Part B. The contract calls for the integration of heritage, architectural, building-services and safety work needed to return a historic theatre to public use. Its stated suitability for SMEs may support capable smaller contractors, specialist-led teams or consortia with the required experience and capacity.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Refurbishment and Restoration of the Theatre Royal Margate

Notice Description

Thanet District Council wishes to select and appoint a suitable supplier for the provision of the Refurbishment & Restoration of the Theatre Royal Margate and invites prospective bidders to submit a Tender to meet the Employer's requirements. The Contract is specifically to enable essential refurbishment works to the Theatre Royal Margate to enable its reopening. The Theatre is the second oldest theatre in the UK, Grade II* listed and the original structure was built in 1787. It closed its doors to the public in 2022 and Thanet District Council is now looking for an experienced contractor to carry out the capital works. The reopening of the Theatre Royal is essential to maximising Margate's arts offering to the community and feeds into Thanet District Council's wider Town Plan. The scope of works will include careful heritage sensitive redecoration and specialist plasterwork, new stairs, toilets, bars and new extension with lift. Alongside HVAC upgrades to meet Part L (where feasible in a Listed Building), and fire and life safety upgrades to meet Part B within the parameters of a Listed Building. The Contract is anticipated to commence upon November 2026 for a duration of 11 months. Important Information: All procurement documents are attached to this notice and available for suppliers to download and complete according to instructions contained. The procurement process will be undertaken on the basis of formal quotations. Evaluation will be on the basis of criteria and methodology as set out in the Invitation to Tender document. Any clarifications or questions must be submitted via the Message area of the Kent Business Portal by no later than 14.00hrs on 18 August 2026. Completed tender documents must be submitted electronically via the Kent Business Portal by no later than 14.00hrs on 15 September 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067784
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072391-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

45212100 - Construction work of leisure facilities

45212170 - Entertainment building construction work

45212300 - Construction work for art and cultural buildings

45212320 - Construction work for buildings relating to artistic performances

45212321 - Auditorium construction work

45212322 - Theatre construction work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,100,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£4,100,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
15 Sep 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
8 Jun 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Nov 2026 - 30 Sep 2027 6-12 months
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
Thanet District 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
MARGATE
Postcode
CT9 1XZ
Postcode Area
Canterbury
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ44 East Kent
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Thanet
Electoral Ward
Cliftonville West
Westminster Constituency
East Thanet

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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