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002810 Culture Strategy development consultancy

British Library

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

09 Sep 2026 at 15:37

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The British Library Board commissioned culture strategy development consultancy services. The appointed consultant is supporting the Library to develop a new vision for its culture programme at the enhanced St Pancras site. The work is intended to help the Library respond to a major increase in programme scale and articulate an ambitious, high-profile public offer. This is a professional consultancy and research service, covering strategic development rather than construction, routine operations or supply of goods. Delivery is in the United Kingdom, with the programme centred on the British Library’s enhanced St Pancras site in London. The requirement is relevant to cultural strategy consultants, audience and programme development specialists, museum and library advisers, and firms experienced in shaping public-facing cultural offers for major institutions.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded following a below-threshold limited competition. One lot was awarded to Ralph Appelbaum Associates, Inc. The award was made on 7 September 2026, and the contract was signed on the same date. The contract runs from 7 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. Its value is £59,973 excluding VAT, or £71,967.60 including VAT. The selected supplier is an SME. The process used a limited procurement method, with the competition restricted to invited suppliers. The published information identifies the requirement as research and development services and related consultancy services. The award is active and the contract is active, so this is an outcome notice rather than an opportunity to submit a tender.

This procurement shows the British Library’s demand for specialist cultural strategy capability linked to the development of its St Pancras site and public programme. A credible future competitor would need to combine cultural-sector insight with strategic planning, programme development and the ability to turn a change in scale into a clear, ambitious public offer. Experience advising museums, libraries or other high-profile cultural institutions would be directly relevant, particularly where work involves defining vision, shaping audience-facing activity and positioning a programme for public impact. Suppliers should also be able to work with a major public institution, translate research and consultation into practical recommendations, and present a coherent strategy for an enhanced cultural offer. The award demonstrates that a specialist consultancy, including an SME, can meet this type of requirement.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

002810 Culture Strategy development consultancy

Notice Description

A consultant to support the British Library to develop a new vision for our culture programme at our enhanced St Pancras site that maximises the potential of our programme's shift in scale to articulate an ambitious and high-profile public offer.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f5de
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085487-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - limited competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£59,973 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Sep 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
British Library
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
NW1 2DB
Postcode Area
North West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI36 Camden
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Camden
Electoral Ward
St Pancras & Somers Town
Westminster Constituency
Holborn and St Pancras

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Ralph Appelbaum Associates

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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