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Longbarn Community Hub - Operator

TRAFFORD COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

08 Jul 2026 at 13:45

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Trafford Council has initiated a procurement process for a project titled "Longbarn Community Hub - Operator" in Manchester, UK, classified under the services category involving repair, maintenance, and property management. The procurement is currently in the planning stage with a focus on industry categories such as repair and maintenance services of building installations and property management. This procurement aligns with the Council's broader goal of enhancing Longford Park, supported by a multi-million-pound investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund aimed at heritage restoration, biodiversity improvement, and community engagement. The Council is conducting a "soft market test" to gauge interest for a potential 10-year lease to manage Longbarn, a historic building being restored for community use. Key dates include the deadline for supplier questionnaire submissions scheduled for 5th August 2026, at 12pm.

This procurement presents a significant opportunity for businesses skilled in managing heritage sites or community-focused facilities, providing avenues for growth over an extended lease term. Companies with experience in volunteering initiatives, arts and culture programming, health and wellbeing services, or property management are well-suited for this tender. Small and medium-sized enterprises are particularly encouraged to participate, as the project supports engagement from diverse business entities. Successful participation in the tender could allow a business to establish a pivotal role in the region's community development, leveraging Trafford Council's restoration efforts for Longford Park. Interested businesses can register their interest and access further details through the online platform 'The Chest'.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Longbarn Community Hub - Operator

Notice Description

Longford Park is Trafford's largest public park and a designated conservation area which is undergoing a major multi-million-pound restoration and improvement programme led by Trafford Council. The initiative is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), forming part of an overall PS6 million investment into the park. The project is built around improving Longford Park for people, wildlife, and heritage. Its key aims include: * Heritage Restoration * Biodiversity & Nature * Facilities & Public Realm Upgrades * Community Engagement & Wellbeing Part of the project will involve the restoration of the park's Longbarn, for use as a community hub . We are carrying out 'soft market testing' as outlined below, to determine current interest levels in the market in managing and operating the Longbarn. Trafford Council seeks an experienced operator to manage the Longbarn Community Hub in Longford Park. The Longbarn is a heritage building in Longford Park, currently undergoing restoration, that will offer flexible spaces for volunteering, learning, arts & culture, health & wellbeing and community participation. The successful organisation will be responsible for ensuring that its operation meets the terms of the lease and agreed KPIs, reporting to Trafford Council and hiring the space out to other organisations. The building will also act as a hub for information and enhancement of the park's visitor experience. The development of the Longbarn will reuse the existing building fabric sustainably with scope for a more sensitive and sustainable retrofit. Lease proposed:10-year term, subject to negotiation and discussion with the selected operator. The appointed operator will be responsible for maintaining the Longbarn to an appropriate standard throughout the duration of the lease. The operator will be responsible for all repairs and maintenance of the Longbarn's internal and external areas, including statutory compliance. THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION This Soft Market Test is intended to allow interested organisations with relevant experience to outline their views and provide information with no commitment to themselves or the Council.

Planning Information

The Soft Market Test document will be issued via The Chest (project ID DN821638). Further details of the requirements can be found in the documents attached to the opportunity. To register interest in the opportunity and respond, suppliers will need to register on The Chest https://www.the-chest.org.uk/ Interested suppliers are required to complete the company information form and a short questionnaire. Suppliers who complete and return the questionnaire may be invited to meet with Council representatives to discuss its requirements. The questionnaire should be returned via The Chest - https://www.the-chest.org.uk/ by Wednesday 5th August 12pm. If Suppliers have any questions about this soft market test, such questions should be submitted to the Council using the 'Question and Answer' facility within the opportunity advertised on The Chest. A copy of the question and a copy of the written reply may be circulated to all Suppliers, with anonymity of the Supplier preserved. Suppliers must not raise questions through any other channels, including emails direct to the Council or to STAR Procurement. No questions will be responded to, other than those raised through The Chest as described above. We encourage your participation in this soft market testing exercise, but must emphasise that your involvement in this exercise will not carry any commercial advantage in any ensuing procurement process. No information provided in response to this soft market testing exercise will be used in any evaluation of any subsequent response to a procurement exercise.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c694
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064291-2026
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

50 - Repair and maintenance services

70 - Real estate services

CPV Codes

50700000 - Repair and maintenance services of building installations

70330000 - Property management services of real estate on a fee or contract basis

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Aug 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Jan 2027 - 3 Jan 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
TRAFFORD 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
M32 0TH
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD34 Greater Manchester South West
Delivery Location
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Local Authority
Trafford
Electoral Ward
Gorse Hill & Cornbrook
Westminster Constituency
Stretford and Urmston

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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