Tender

Heaton Park Boating Lake and Activities

MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

21 May 2026 at 09:43

Summary of the contracting process

Manchester City Council is inviting tenders for the operation and management of the boating lake and associated visitor activities at Heaton Park. Classified under recreational-area services and sports facilities operation services, this tender falls within the services category, specifically as a below-threshold services concession. The process is open for submissions until 11 am on 16th June 2026, using the electronic e-business portal, The Chest. The tender, following an open competition procurement method, aims to award a contract for an initial three-year period commencing 1st November 2026, with an option to extend for up to two additional years.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses looking to expand into the recreation and leisure sectors. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in operational management, customer experience, and marketing within a heritage-sensitive environment are well-suited to participate. Furthermore, the concession arrangement allows for potential income generation through a fixed annual fee plus a percentage of gross turnover, making it an attractive proposition for entities aiming to enhance their commercial footprint and diversify their service offerings in the Greater Manchester area.

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Notice Title

Heaton Park Boating Lake and Activities

Notice Description

The Council is using the e-business portal known as the Chest. Applicants will need to register their details at the following link www.the-chest.org.uk . Once registered, applicants will be emailed a log-in and password which will allow them to gain access to the documentation relating to this opportunity. Manchester City Council is inviting tenders for the operation of boating lake and associated visitor activities at Heaton Park. This is a below-threshold services concession procurement conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The successful operator will be responsible for the safe and high-quality delivery of boating activities, staffing, customer experience, operational management, marketing and income generation. The commercial arrangement is concession-based, with the operator required to pay the Council a fixed annual fee together with a percentage of gross turnover. The Council seeks proposals that deliver an inclusive, environmentally responsible and commercially sustainable service that enhances the visitor experience and aligns with the heritage and environmental sensitivities of Heaton Park. The contract will be awarded for an initial term of three (3) years, with the option to extend for up to two (2) additional years, subject to satisfactory performance.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The contract can be extended for 2 years following the initial 3 year period.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069ea4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046867-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services


CPV Codes

92330000 - Recreational-area services

92610000 - Sports facilities operation services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£540,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£540,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 May 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
16 Jun 20262 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 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
MANCHESTER CITY 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
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M60 2LA
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
TLD33 Manchester

Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Piccadilly
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

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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