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Cultural Services

Warrington Borough Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

03 Jun 2026 at 16:49

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Warrington Borough Council is reviewing the future delivery of cultural services currently provided through the Culture Warrington contract. The requirement covers operation of arts facilities, together with museum services and the preservation of historical sites and buildings. The work will be delivered in Warrington for the Council and its local cultural service users. This is a public service contract in the light-touch services regime, potentially covering a broad cultural portfolio rather than a single venue or specialist activity. Suppliers with experience managing cultural facilities, museums, heritage assets or combined cultural service portfolios should consider whether their operating model and local delivery capability align with the Council’s emerging requirements.

This process is at the planning and preliminary market engagement stage, not a formal tender or pre-qualification exercise. Warrington Borough Council is seeking market views to shape its eventual procurement approach, including delivery capability, market appetite, contract terms and risk allocation. The Council expects the current Culture Warrington contract to expire in May 2027, with a possible further 12-month extension. The anticipated replacement contract is planned to run from 1 June 2027 to 30 June 2037. Its estimated value is £15 million excluding VAT, or £18 million including VAT. The Council has scheduled market engagement responses by 25 June 2026; participation is voluntary and responses will inform planning rather than be scored.

This will suit organisations able to deliver cultural services at substantial scale over a long-term operating period, including arts-facility operators, museum and heritage-service providers, charities, social enterprises and consortia combining cultural, operational and community expertise. The Council has indicated that the requirement is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises, so smaller specialist providers may be well placed to contribute independently or through partnerships. Relevant preparation should include evidence of managing public-facing cultural venues, museum collections, heritage sites, programming, community engagement and service continuity. Providers should also consider their approach to governance, commercial risk, contract flexibility and collaboration with local cultural stakeholders before the formal procurement is launched.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Cultural Services

Notice Description

Warrington Borough Council is currently reviewing the future delivery of cultural services in anticipation of the Culture Warrington contract expiry in May 2027, but may be extended by one further 12 month period .

Planning Information

Documentation can be found at www.the-chest.org.uk and searching for Warrington Council opportunities. Responses should be made via the on line portal. This preliminary market engagement exercise does not constitute a formal tender or pre-qualification process. It is issued for the sole purpose of market engagement and information gathering to help shape the final procurement approach. Participation in this preliminary market engagement exercise is not mandatory and will not affect eligibility to participate in the formal procurement process once launched. Responses to the preliminary market engagement exercise will not be scored but will be reviewed by the Council to understand market appetite, delivery capability, and preferences regarding contract terms and risk allocation. Submission of a response to this preliminary market engagement exercise does not constitute a contractual offer and shall not be construed as creating any obligation on the part of the Authority to proceed with a formal procurement or to award any contract.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06acd3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052507-2026
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

CPV Codes

92320000 - Arts-facility operation services

92520000 - Museum services and preservation services of historical sites and buildings

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£15,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Jun 20264 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jun 2027 - 30 Jun 2037 Over 5 years
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
Warrington 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
WARRINGTON
Postcode
WA1 1UH
Postcode Area
Warrington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD61 Warrington
Delivery Location
TLD61 Warrington
Local Authority
Warrington
Electoral Ward
Bewsey and Whitecross
Westminster Constituency
Warrington South

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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