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Community Cafe at The Unity Centre

Northstowe Town Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

19 May 2026 at 01:05

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

19 May 2026 at 00:56

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northstowe Town Council is inviting tenders for the operation of a community café at The Unity Centre in Northstowe, Cambridge. This procurement process, initiated under an open procedure, is designed for acquiring services in the restaurant and catering industry, specifically targeting businesses located within Cambridgeshire or specified nearby areas. The café is intended as a community hub, requiring a commercial operator who can provide high-quality, sustainable food and beverages. Key dates include the tender submission deadline on 30th June 2026, with the award decision expected by 28th July 2026. The upcoming contract is set for a minimum of 10 years, with potential annual extensions for up to an additional two years.

This tender presents a lucrative opportunity for experienced café operators looking to expand their business in a growing community. It is especially attractive to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and organisations benefiting the community and voluntary sector. Operators with a strong focus on sustainability, community engagement, and innovation in food service are well-suited to compete. The evaluation criteria place importance on business viability, financial offerings, and the proposed community benefits, making this an ideal opportunity for businesses aimed at delivering high social and environmental value alongside profitability.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Community Cafe at The Unity Centre

Notice Description

Northstowe Town Council is seeking to appoint a suitably experienced commercial cafe operator to operate the cafe provision at The Unity Centre, Northstowe, Cambridge. The Unity Centre is a new and busy community facility managed by Northstowe Town Council. The cafe is intended to form an important part of the Centre's wider community offer, providing high-quality food, beverages and refreshments to Centre users, local residents, community groups, visitors and those using nearby facilities. The opportunity includes the use of the designated cafe space, adjacent kitchen and external seating area. The internal cafe area is approximately 92m2, with an anticipated capacity of around 40 covers, and the kitchen area is approximately 16m2. The operator will be expected to fit out the kitchen and servery/counter area at their own cost and provide a sustainable, inclusive and commercially viable cafe service. The Council is seeking an operator who can provide a friendly, efficient and flexible service, including healthy options, value for money, appropriate provision for dietary, religious and lifestyle requirements, and the ability to support events and community activity at the Unity Centre. The Council is particularly interested in proposals that demonstrate community benefit, environmental sustainability, reduced waste, no single-use plastics, and positive engagement with Northstowe's growing community. Tenderers are required to submit a business plan, catering offer, proposed opening hours, financial proposal and supporting business information. The Council is flexible as to the financial model proposed and will consider rent, fee, profit-share or other commercially appropriate arrangements. The proposed contract/lease will be for a minimum initial term of 10 years, with the option to extend annually for a further 2 years after the initial term. Mutual break clauses will be included at years 3 and 6. The award will be subject to contract and agreement of suitable lease terms. The tender will be evaluated on the basis of: Quality and Business Viability - 50% Financial Offer - 25% Community Benefit - 25% This procurement is reserved under Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Note 11/20 and is open only to suppliers whose businesses are located within Cambridgeshire / the relevant local geographical area specified in the tender documentation.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The contract will be for an initial minimum term of 10 years, with the option to extend on an annual basis for up to a further 2 years after the initial term. Any extension will be subject to the agreement of both parties and satisfactory performance by the operator. Mutual break clauses will apply at years 3 and 6.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069b77
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045573-2026
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
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

CPV Codes

55300000 - Restaurant and food-serving services

55400000 - Beverage-serving services

55500000 - Canteen and catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£6,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£6,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 May 20264 months ago
Submission Deadline
30 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
3 Aug 2026 - 3 Aug 2029 3-4 years
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
Northstowe Town 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
NORTHSTOWE
Postcode
CB24 1FD
Postcode Area
Cambridge
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH4 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH42 Cambridgeshire CC
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
South Cambridgeshire
Electoral Ward
Longstanton
Westminster Constituency
St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire

Further Information

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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