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Graduation Ceremony Venue Hire

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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21 Sep 2026 at 12:05

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Open University procured event services to hire Bridgewater Hall for a graduation ceremony. The requirement covers venue hire for the university’s graduation event, including the use of the venue for the ceremony itself. The buying organisation is The Open University, a public authority based in Milton Keynes. The service is associated with event delivery in the United Kingdom, with Bridgewater Hall identified as the venue. This is a single-service requirement rather than a broader programme of event management, construction or goods supply. Suppliers specialising in venue hire, conference and ceremony spaces, and the operational support needed to host formal large-scale events would be the most relevant comparators for this procurement.

The procurement has been completed and awarded. It used a direct award below the applicable threshold, without competition, and comprised one lot. Legends Global Holdings Limited was selected as the supplier. The contract was signed on 23 July 2026 and runs from 23 July 2026 to 29 October 2027, covering the graduation ceremony scheduled for 29 October 2027. Its value is £32,361.67 excluding VAT, or £38,834 including VAT. The requirement was evaluated through the direct-award route rather than a competitive tender, so no comparative scoring or published award weighting applies. The contract is active and the tender status is complete.

This award provides a clear indication of demand for a substantial, formal graduation venue at The Open University, with the buyer using a direct route for a below-threshold event-services requirement. Competitors seeking comparable future work would need a suitable established venue, the capacity and facilities to host a university graduation ceremony, and the operational reliability to support a high-profile scheduled event. Relevant experience in venue hire for graduations, conferences, ceremonies or other large organised events would help demonstrate credibility. Suppliers should also be able to manage venue availability, event-day logistics, coordination with the university and the practical requirements of hosting attendees safely and professionally. A strong local venue relationship and dependable delivery capability would be commercially relevant.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Graduation Ceremony Venue Hire

Notice Description

Hire of Bridgewater Hall for a graduation ceremony on 29th October 2027

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-07764c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089086-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

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
Not specified
Contracts Value
£32,361 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
23 Jul 2026 - 29 Oct 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MILTON KEYNES
Postcode
MK7 6AA
Postcode Area
Milton Keynes
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ12 Milton Keynes
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Milton Keynes
Electoral Ward
Monkston
Westminster Constituency
Milton Keynes Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SMG Europe Holdings Limited

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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