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Provision of AWT/Wycombe Swan Contracts

Buckinghamshire Council

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

05 Aug 2026 at 15:38

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

05 Aug 2026 at 11:16

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

15 Jul 2026 at 21:23

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Buckinghamshire Council is considering future operating arrangements for the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre and Wycombe Swan. The intended procurement concerns licences to occupy and operate these two theatres, including arts-facility operation and cultural event organisation services. The review will compare possible operating models for both venues and consider their opportunities, risks, financial implications and fit with the Council’s objectives for culture, communities and place. The work would support future theatre service delivery in Aylesbury and Wycombe. Suppliers with experience managing theatres, cultural venues, live events or similar public-facing facilities may find the scope relevant, particularly where they can provide evidence to support decisions about long-term operating arrangements.

This procurement is at planning stage and is currently a preliminary market engagement exercise, not an invitation to tender. Buckinghamshire Council expects to use the engagement to assess future operating options before deciding its preferred approach and any subsequent procurement. The engagement return is scheduled for 14 August 2026, and the next notice is expected on 1 February 2027. The council’s description indicates a 15-year term for Aylesbury Waterside Theatre from 1 March 2028 to 28 February 2043, and for Wycombe Swan from 1 April 2029 to 31 March 2044. One lot is planned, with the procurement status recorded as planning. No budget or estimated contract value is stated.

This exercise is likely to suit established theatre operators, cultural venue managers, arts organisations and event specialists able to run substantial public venues over long periods. Relevant suppliers should be able to demonstrate operational management, programming and delivery of cultural events, audience and community engagement, venue stewardship, commercial planning and financial management. Experience assessing alternative service models and presenting evidence on risks, benefits and strategic fit will be useful because the Council is seeking an informed basis for future decisions. Organisations may also be well placed where they can show experience working with local authorities, managing complex stakeholder requirements and sustaining high-quality cultural services across more than one venue.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of AWT/Wycombe Swan Contracts

Notice Description

Buckinghamshire Council will be retendering the Licence to Occupy contracts for the Aylesbury Waterside and Wycombe Swan theatres. This PME exercise seeks approval to explore and evaluate future operating options for Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (AWT) and Wycombe Swan. The review will assess the available models, associated opportunities, risks, financial implications, and strategic fit with the Council's objectives for culture, communities, and place. The purpose of this exercise is to develop an evidence-based understanding of the options available and establish the preferred approach for future service delivery. The outcome will inform subsequent decision-making and any future recommendations brought forward for consideration. Aylesbury Waterside Theatre expires 1st March 2028, 15 year term until 28th February 2043 Wycombe Swan Theatre expires 1st April 2029 15 year term until 31st March 2044

Planning Information

This PME exercise seeks approval to explore and evaluate future operating options for Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (AWT) and Wycombe Swan. The review will assess the available models, associated opportunities, risks, financial implications, and strategic fit with the Council’s objectives for culture, communities, and place. The purpose of this exercise is to develop an evidence-based understanding of the options available and establish the preferred approach for future service delivery. The outcome will inform subsequent decision-making and any future recommendations brought forward for consideration. The exercise does not commit the Council to a particular option at this stage; rather, it provides the necessary framework to undertake a robust appraisal and ensure that future decisions are supported by appropriate analysis and due diligence. Please register at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/buckinghamshire-council/aspx/Home for documentation and submission of returns

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06cc50
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074317-2026
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

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

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

CPV Codes

79952100 - Cultural event organisation services

92320000 - Arts-facility operation services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Feb 20275 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2028 - 2 Feb 2043 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
Buckinghamshire 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
AYLESBURY
Postcode
HP19 8FF
Postcode Area
Hemel Hempstead
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ13 Buckinghamshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Buckinghamshire
Electoral Ward
Aylesbury North West
Westminster Constituency
Aylesbury

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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