Sails of the South Advertising

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Sails of the South Advertising

Notice Description

Portsmouth City Council (The Council) is seeking to procure an advertising solution associated with digital projection advertising at the "Sails of the South" (Tri Sail structure). The Council has a need to update existing non-digital advertising infrastructure and create digital advertising infrastructure on the M275. As a dynamic waterfront city at the heart of South Hampshire, Portsmouth attracts visitor numbers of in excess of 12.4 million per year. The Sails of the South are a prominent 43-metre gateway structure located on the M275 at the primary entrance to Portsea Island. Installed in 2001, the landmark reflects Portsmouth's maritime identity and forms a highly visible feature for vehicles entering the city. The location benefits from significant traffic flow, with approximately 31.4 million vehicle movements per year (c. 86,000 per day), providing a strong advertising proposition in a gateway location. Historically, the structure has supported projection-based advertising, generating income for the Council. However, the previous system is no longer operational, and PCC is now considering options to reintroduce a modern, flexible, and commercially viable digital advertising solution. PCC is considering the installation of a modern projection system comprising: Three high-powered mapping projectors (one per sail) Capability for multiple adverts to be displayed on rotation Remote content management, removing the need for on-site intervention Improved image quality and flexibility compared to previous systems Operation assumed dusk to dawn (approx. 8 hours per night). The system would ideally allow both static and potentially animated content (subject to safety considerations due to the highway setting). The sails provide a large-scale projection surface which functions as a "blank canvas", offering a unique city gateway advertising asset. However, design suitability and safety considerations (e.g. animation levels) will need to be factored into content. Options PCC is exploring two potential delivery approaches: Option A - Council-Owned Model * PCC funds the purchase and installation of the projection equipment * PCC markets and sells advertising space. Option B - Concession / Partnership Model * An external advertising operator funds, installs, and maintains the projection system. They also assume operational and commercial risk * PCC receives a share of advertising revenue. We are interested in hearing from the market on option B. This engagement is intended to inform PCC's preferred delivery model and procurement approach, and no formal procurement process is being launched at this stage. We recognise the experience and innovation that suppliers can bring to these services. As such PCC would welcome your organisation's market information, which will be used to support PCC to deliver a high quality specification that meets the needs of both PCC and local business. A market consultation questionnaire has been published on the InTend procurement portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/portsmouthcc/aspx/home Subject to the response PCC may wish to engage with you further in an informal discussion, however this is purely a market consultation and is in no way an indication of the selection of your organisation or a guarantee of future work. Organisations participating in the market consultation will not have any advantage over organisations who do not participate in this process. Similarly, organisations not participating in the market consultation will not be disadvantaged.

Planning Information

The council has prepared a preliminary market engagement questionnaire for completion which will be used to understand: Market interest Feasibility Financial model Revenue estimates Capital infrastructure The questionnaire can be found on the InTend procurement portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/portsmouthcc/aspx/home The submission of the questionnaire, in part or in full, is purely optional and suppliers who do not submit will not be precluded from taking part in the procurement process. Subject to the responses, the council may wish to engage with suppliers further in an informal discussion, however this is purely a market consultation and will not form part of the selection process. The Council are requesting that the questionnaire be completed and returned by 10th August at 17:00.

Notice Details

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Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID: ocds-h6vhtk-06c708
Publication Source: Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064501-2026
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

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

32321200 - Audio-visual equipment

32321300 - Audio-visual materials

32322000 - Multimedia equipment

79341000 - Advertising services

79342200 - Promotional services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date: 9 Jul 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline: Not specified
Future Notice Date: 10 Aug 20264 weeks to go
Award Date: Not specified
Contract Period: 30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence: Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status: Planning
Lots Status: Planning
Awards Status: Not Specified
Contracts Status: Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer: PORTSMOUTH 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: PORTSMOUTH
Postcode: PO1 2AL
Post Town: Portsmouth
Country: England
Major Region (ITL 1): TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2): TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3): TLJ31 Portsmouth
Delivery Location: TLJ31 Portsmouth
Local Authority: Portsmouth
Electoral Ward: Charles Dickens
Westminster Constituency: Portsmouth South

Further Information

Notice Documents

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064501-2026
9th July 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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