Notice Information
Notice Title
Churchgate Regeneration Zone - Hitchin Town Centre
Notice Description
North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC) is undertaking a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise in relation to the regeneration of the Churchgate area in Hitchin town centre. This is a complex, multi-faceted opportunity comprising the Churchgate Shopping Centre, Hitchin Market, and adjacent car parks including Portmill and St Mary's. The site sits at the heart of the town and plays an important role in its economic, social and civic function. Since establishing the Development Principles in May 2025, the Council has undertaken further work to explore the viability, deliverability and strategic direction of the scheme. This has included member workshops, technical analysis and engagement with the market. The ambition remains to deliver a high-quality, mixed-use scheme that supports the long-term vitality of the town centre, including new homes, a reimagined market offer, a viable commercial mix and enhanced public realm. Building on the Development Principles and the Consultation Summary Report, this work has explored a number of key factors in greater depth. This includes testing development scenarios and their impact on viability, reviewing the condition and performance of existing assets, and considering delivery route options and associated risk profiles. Parking and accessibility have also been considered, including capacity, distribution and potential mitigation measures. Early engagement with developers and delivery partners has provided initial insight into market appetite, delivery structures and the conditions required to support investment. The purpose of this PME is to seek market feedback on the emerging approach, including the viability of the proposed land use mix, key constraints to delivery, potential delivery models, commercial structures and procurement approach. Feedback will be used to inform the Council's future strategy and any subsequent procurement. In addition to this PME exercise, the Council will be engaging with the market through an informal breakfast briefing session at UKREiiF in May 2026. This session is intended to provide an opportunity for discussion and early market insight. Attendance is optional, and any information relevant to the opportunity will be made available through the formal PME process to ensure transparency and equal access. This engagement is being conducted for information-gathering purposes only and does not constitute a call for competition or commitment to procure. Participation will not confer any advantage in any future procurement process. The Council will ensure that any relevant information arising from this engagement is shared in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner. NHDC uses an e-tendering system (In-Tend) for all procurement activity, including this PME exercise. Interested parties must register and submit their responses via the Supply Hertfordshire portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/supplyhertfordshire/aspx/Home
Planning Information
Please see procurement documents. Information on how to access opportunity is available in this notice.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-0690a7
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040699-2026
- Current Stage
- Planning
- All Stages
- Planning
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
- Procurement Type
- Standard
- Procurement Category
- Services
- Procurement Method
- Not Specified
- Procurement Method Details
- Not specified
- Tender Suitability
- SME
- Awardee Scale
- Not specified
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
45 - Construction work
70 - Real estate services
71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
-
- CPV Codes
45000000 - Construction work
45211360 - Urban development construction work
45220000 - Engineering works and construction works
70000000 - Real estate services
70110000 - Development services of real estate
70111000 - Development of residential real estate
70112000 - Development of non-residential real estate
71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
71220000 - Architectural design services
71410000 - Urban planning services
71530000 - Construction consultancy services
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- Not specified
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 1 May 2026Yesterday
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- 1 Dec 20268 months to go
- Award Date
- Not specified
- Contract Period
- 1 Jan 2027 - 1 Apr 2027 1-6 months
- 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
- NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE 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
- LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY
- Postcode
- SG6 3JF
- Post Town
- Stevenage
- Country
- England
-
- Major Region (ITL 1)
- TLH East (England)
- Basic Region (ITL 2)
- TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
- Small Region (ITL 3)
- TLH26 North and East Hertfordshire
- Delivery Location
- Not specified
-
- Local Authority
- North Hertfordshire
- Electoral Ward
- Letchworth South West
- Westminster Constituency
- North East Hertfordshire
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040699-2026
1st May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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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