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Preliminary Market Engagement for the Provision of Event Catering Services

LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

22 Jun 2026 at 15:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Leicestershire County Council is currently in the planning stage of a public procurement process for preliminary market engagement (PME) concerning the provision of event catering services. This procurement process falls within the services category, focusing specifically on catering services for events held at Beaumanor Hall, Woodhouse, Leicestershire. The procurement involves engaging with the market to inform future outsourcing decisions for these services. Key dates include the deadline for submitting PME documents by 12:00 Noon on 8th July 2026 and for raising clarification questions by 12:00 Noon on 2nd July 2026. The process is facilitated via the East Midlands Tenders platform, under the tender ID DN819688, and is supported by legislation identified under the UKPGA 2023/54.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the catering industry to collaborate with a public authority and potentially secure non-house catering services for a variety of events. Ideal candidates are businesses experienced in providing diverse and flexible catering solutions, ranging from informal buffets to formal sit-down meals. The engagement phase will allow businesses to directly communicate their capabilities and help shape future council requirements, potentially leading to long-term contracts once the services are outsourced. This creates growth opportunities particularly for catering firms that can provide competitive, high-quality services in the Leicestershire region.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement for the Provision of Event Catering Services

Notice Description

Preliminary Market Engagement (PME)/soft market test related to the possible provision of event catering services at Beaumanor Hall, Woodhouse, Leicestershire. Please note this is not an opportunity to tender but is an information gathering exercise to inform the Councils future requirement. The Council has run the Hall since the 1970's and currently provides all catering services in-house. Catering is provided for a wide range pf daytime and evening events including weddings, christenings, birthday parties and other celebration events as well as corporate events such as away days and training courses. Types of catering provided ranges from informal hot and cold buffet lunches to formal, sit down evening meals and wedding breakfasts. The Council is considering outsourcing some of it's event catering services to external providers and the purpose of this preliminary market engagement exercise is to garner views and information from the market to inform the future requirements of the Council.

Planning Information

The PME will take place via the Councils electronic procurement platform East Midlands Tenders. The PME survey document is available for download and completion via the platform accessed via the following link: https://www.eastmidstenders.org/ Providers wishing to take part in the PME exercise should register/log-in to the East Midlands Tenders portal via the above link and search for the PME using the reference DN819688. Providers are required to download the PME document, complete it offline and then attach the completed document to the portal by the deadline time and date of 12:00 Noon on 08 July 2026. Providers are able to raise clarification questions via the messaging facility of the portal. The deadline for raising clarification questions is 12:00 Noon on 02 July 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ba6c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058660-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

CPV Codes

55520000 - Catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Jun 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
8 Jul 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2029 2-3 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
LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY 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
LEICESTER
Postcode
LE3 8RA
Post Town
Leicester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF22 Leicestershire CC and Rutland
Delivery Location
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Local Authority
Blaby
Electoral Ward
Glenfield Faire
Westminster Constituency
Mid Leicestershire

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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