Tender

267900 - Coffee Shop (Catering)

DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

31 Mar 2026 at 14:12

Summary of the contracting process

De Montfort University, located in Leicester, is actively seeking a coffee shop operator to offer catering services directly on their campus. The tender, titled "267900 - Coffee Shop (Catering)," falls under the catering services category, specifically targeting the UKF21 region. The process is at the tender stage, with submissions required by 28th April 2026. The university aims to support students by removing financial barriers for operators, covering fixed costs like rent and utilities, ensuring that the coffee shop can commence trading with minimal capital investment. The contract is set to begin on 1st August 2026 and could extend until 31st July 2031, depending on performance.

This tender represents a valuable opportunity for local businesses specialising in coffee and food services to expand their footprint within an academic environment. The procurement method is open, allowing a wide range of entrants to compete in below-threshold competition. Businesses with strong local ties and the capability to provide a diverse and reasonably priced menu are particularly well-suited for this opportunity. Catering to a campus largely populated by commuter and first-generation students offers a unique chance to establish strong customer loyalty and regular participation, fostering potential business growth through a consistent and engaged clientele. The light touch and concession regimes further simplify entry for qualifying businesses, making this an attractive prospect for small to medium-sized enterprises looking to establish or expand their presence in the education sector.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

267900 - Coffee Shop (Catering)

Notice Description

The university is seeking a coffee operator with strong local connections, capable of delivering exceptional service and a compelling offer within a fast-paced university environment. A well-priced offer of hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, pastries, and snacks, plays a vital role in supporting students on campus, particularly at a time when cost-of-living pressures are having a real impact on daily choices. The University has therefore taken a deliberate decision to remove the main financial barriers to entry for the operator. By covering fixed costs such as rent, rates, and utilities, and by fully equipping the coffee shop DMU is enabling a food business to trade successfully from day one with very limited capital investment required. The University expects to see this reflected in accessible pricing and menu choice which will result in strong participation during term time. The typical student demographic on the Leicester campus consists largely of commuter and first-generation students, with a strong sensitivity to price and value. Academic and a core group of professional service staff work on campus throughout the week, with some professional services staff adopting a hybrid approach, with a minimum of two days per week on campus.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Up to 24 months subject to satisfactory performance.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06798d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029827-2026
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
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

55520000 - Catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Mar 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
28 Apr 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 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
DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LEICESTER
Postcode
LE1 9BH
Post Town
Leicester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF21 Leicester
Delivery Location
TLF21 Leicester

Local Authority
Leicester
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Leicester South

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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