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Scriptwriter / Copy Editor for the Museum of Watford

Watford Borough Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

24 Jul 2026 at 16:48

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Tender

28 Apr 2026 at 15:39

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Watford Borough Council commissioned a scriptwriter and copy editor for the Museum of Watford’s redevelopment. The work covers interpretive text for new permanent galleries, translating curatorial research, collections and community stories into clear, engaging and accessible content. The appointed writer is expected to help the museum establish house-style guidelines based on best practice for accessible and inclusive text, including the required tone of voice and approach to interpretation. This is a specialist cultural-sector writing and editing service, with related classifications for advertising campaign services and writing agency services. Delivery is for the Museum of Watford in Watford, Hertfordshire. The requirement is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The procurement is complete and was awarded through a below-threshold open competition. Cooper Arts & Heritage Consulting was awarded the single lot. The award was made on 20 July 2026, and the contract was signed on 20 July 2026. The contract runs from 1 August 2026 to 28 February 2027. Its value is £25,000 excluding VAT and £30,000 including VAT. The earlier stated lot period was 1 June 2026 to 18 January 2027. The tender enquiry deadline was 15 May 2026 at 17:00, and the bid deadline was 25 May 2026 at 13:00. Evaluation placed 90% weighting on quality and 10% on price. Electronic submission was allowed.

This award indicates demand for suppliers combining professional writing and copy-editing with museum, heritage or cultural interpretation experience. A credible competitor would need to turn detailed curatorial material, collection information and community voices into concise public-facing text, while preserving accuracy and reflecting a civic institution’s identity. The requirement also rewards an understanding of accessible and inclusive language, audience needs, tone of voice and interpretation practice. Suppliers should be able to work collaboratively with museum staff, develop or apply house-style guidance, and manage content consistently across permanent gallery displays. A small consultancy can compete for this type of work, but should be able to demonstrate relevant published writing, editing and interpretation commissions, sound stakeholder engagement and sufficient capacity to deliver a redevelopment-related gallery content project.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Scriptwriter / Copy Editor for the Museum of Watford

Notice Description

As part of the Museum of Watford's redevelopment, we are seeking to appoint an experienced scriptwriter and copyeditor to develop interpretive text for the new permanent galleries. The writer will translate curatorial research, collections, and community stories into clear, engaging, and accessible content that reflects the Museum's vision as a civic space at the heart of Watford life. The writer will work with the museum to agree a suitable house style guidelines based on best practice for accessible and inclusive text and which will set out the required tone of voice and approach to interpretation.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068d1e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070482-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details 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

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

CPV Codes

79341400 - Advertising campaign services

92312211 - Writing agency services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£25,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£25,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£25,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
25 May 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
1 Aug 2026 - 28 Feb 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Watford Borough 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
WATFORD
Postcode
WD17 3EX
Postcode Area
Watford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH27 South West Hertfordshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Watford
Electoral Ward
Park
Westminster Constituency
Watford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Cooper Arts & Heritage Consulting

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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