Theatre Royal Plymouth Graduation Ceremonies (November)

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Theatre Royal Plymouth Graduation Ceremonies (November)

Notice Description

The Theatre Royal Plymouth venue and associated event services will be used by the University of Plymouth to deliver its 2027 and 2028 Graduation Ceremonies in November. These ceremonies are a business-critical component of the University's academic calendar, providing the formal conferral and celebration of awards for graduating students. The contract will support the delivery of multiple graduation ceremonies together with associated hospitality and reception services for graduates, guests, staff and attendees. The contract will cover the hire and exclusive use of Theatre Royal Plymouth for a four-day period comprising one set-up day and three graduation ceremony days. Associated post-ceremony reception services, including catering and hospitality provision for graduates, guests, and official attendees, are also included within the scope of the contract. The requirement has arisen following the unavailability of the University's previously intended graduation venue, Plymouth Guildhall, due to ongoing refurbishment delays and uncertainty regarding future availability. Theatre Royal Plymouth offers a suitably sized, established, and professionally managed venue capable of accommodating the University's graduation programme and associated logistical requirements within the required timescales. The below justification set out in Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 applies to this Direct Award: (5) 'Single supplier' because, due to the particular characteristics, capacity, availability and suitability of the venue required to deliver the University's graduation programme within the required timescales, Theatre Royal Plymouth is considered to be the only reasonably available supplier capable of meeting the University's requirements. The requirement has arisen following the unavailability of the University's previously intended graduation venue, Plymouth Guildhall, due to refurbishment delays and uncertainty regarding future availability. The contract will provide venue hire at Theatre Royal Plymouth for one set-up day and three graduation ceremony days. The contract will also provide associated post-ceremony reception and hospitality services, together with the operational support necessary to facilitate the successful delivery of the University's graduation programme.

Procurement Information

This Transparency Notice (UK5) sets out the University of Plymouth's intention to award a contract to Theatre Royal Plymouth (Registered Company No. 01560651), Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 2TR, for the provision of venue hire and associated hospitality services required to deliver the University's Graduation Ceremonies in 2027 and 2028. The Supplier 'Theatre Royal Plymouth' provides a large-scale theatre venue and associated event services capable of accommodating the University's graduation ceremonies, graduates, guests, staff, and associated reception activities. The proposed contract includes venue hire for one set-up day and three ceremony days, together with post-ceremony reception and hospitality services. The University requires a venue capable of hosting multiple graduation ceremonies within a compressed timeframe, whilst providing the capacity, accessibility, operational support, and visitor experience appropriate for a significant institutional event. The requirement has arisen following confirmation that the University's previously intended venue, Plymouth Guildhall, will not be available in 2027 and 2028 due to ongoing refurbishment delays and uncertainty regarding future availability. Following consideration of available options, Theatre Royal Plymouth has been identified as the venue best able to meet the University's specific operational and scheduling requirements. For these reasons, the University of Plymouth considers the Direct Award justification(s) permissible under section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023. More specifically, sub-section 41(1)(a) states that "if a direct award justification applies, a contracting authority may award a public contract directly to a supplier that is not an excluded supplier". The University considers that Theatre Royal Plymouth represents the only reasonably available supplier capable of delivering the required graduation venue and associated services within the required timescales and without significant disruption to the University's graduation programme.

Notice Details

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Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID: ocds-h6vhtk-06d9d4
Publication Source: Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073136-2026
Current Stage: Award
All Stages: Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type: UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type: Standard
Procurement Category: Services
Procurement Method: Direct
Procurement Method Details: Direct award
Tender Suitability: Not specified
Awardee Scale: SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions: 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
CPV Codes: 79952000 - Event services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value: Not specified
Lots Value: Not specified
Awards Value: £480,730 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value: Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date: 3 Aug 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline: Not specified
Future Notice Date: Not specified
Award Date: 3 Aug 20262 days ago
Contract Period: 17 Aug 2026 - 1 Dec 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence: Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status: Complete
Lots Status: Complete
Awards Status: Pending
Contracts Status: Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH
Contact Name: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality: PLYMOUTH, DEVON
Postcode: PL4 8AA
Post Town: Plymouth
Country: England
Major Region (ITL 1): TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2): TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3): TLK41 Plymouth
Delivery Location: Not specified
Local Authority: Plymouth
Electoral Ward: Drake
Westminster Constituency: Plymouth Sutton and Devonport

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers: 1
Supplier Name: THEATRE ROYAL (PLYMOUTH

Further Information

Notice Documents

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073136-2026
3rd August 2026 - Transparency 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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