{ "tag": [ "compiled" ], "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0692b3-2026-05-14T16:44:04+01:00", "date": "2026-05-14T16:44:04+01:00", "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0692b3", "initiationType": "tender", "parties": [ { "id": "GB-PPON-PWBJ-9435-VXQQ", "name": "Reading Borough Council", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PWBJ-9435-VXQQ" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "Bridge Street", "locality": "Reading", "postalCode": "RG1 2LU", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKJ11" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "pchub@reading.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "url": "https://www.reading.gov.uk/", "classifications": [ { "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment", "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "description": "Public authority - sub-central government" } ] } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PWBJ-9435-VXQQ", "name": "Reading Borough Council" }, "planning": { "milestones": [ { "id": "engagement", "type": "engagement", "description": "SOFT MARKET ENGAGEMENT NOTICE Seasonal Pantomime Production Venue: The Hexagon Local Authority: Reading Borough Council Engagement Reference: SOFT MARKET ENGAGEMENT NOTICE Issue Date: 06/05/2026 Response Deadline: 20/05/2026 Please submit your responses by email to eoi@reading.gov.uk ________________________________________ 1. Purpose of this Engagement RBC is undertaking a Soft Market Engagement exercise in advance of a potential procurement process for the delivery of a seasonal pantomime at The Hexagon. The purpose of this exercise is to: * Understand current market capacity and appetite * Explore viable commercial and contractual models * Inform the proposed procurement route and specification * Identify innovation, audience development and community engagement opportunities This is not a call for competition and does not commit the Council to commence a procurement process. ________________________________________ 2. Venue Overview * Auditorium capacity: 960 * Typical performance run: 48 performances from Early Dec - Early Jan * Average pantomime attendance: 35,000 * Technical specification summary: Please follow the link https://tinyurl.com/HexagonTechSpec The Council is particularly interested in understanding how producers can support: * Box office growth * Risk mitigation * Community participation * Accessibility and inclusive programming ________________________________________ 3. Engagement Format The Council proposes: * Written responses to this questionnaire * Optional 1:1 virtual engagement meetings (30-45 minutes) * Potential supplier engagement event (if appropriate) All participating organisations will receive the same information to ensure transparency. ________________________________________ Supplier Response Questionnaire 1. Organisation Overview * Company name and registration details * Years trading * Summary of pantomime production experience * Experience in similar sized Local Authority venues. ________________________________________ 2. Market Insight Please outline: * Current trends in regional pantomime production * Emerging commercial models (guarantee, risk-share, hybrid) * Typical production budget ranges for venues of comparable scale * Casting strategies and impact on financial performance ________________________________________ 3. Commercial Structures For a venue of 960 please indicate: * Preferred financial model and rationale * Typical box office splits (if risk-share) * Minimum performance run to ensure viability * Key cost drivers affecting pricing Indicative figures are welcome at this stage (non-binding). ________________________________________ 4. Creative & Audience Development * How do you tailor pantomime scale to venue size? * What marketing assets do you typically provide? * Strategies for reaching new or underrepresented audiences * Examples of community or education engagement delivered ________________________________________ 5. Risk & Delivery Considerations * Key risks in delivering pantomime in the current market * Mitigation strategies * Lead-in time required for casting and production build * Technical or scheduling constraints the Council should consider ________________________________________ 6. Innovation & Added Value * Digital integration (streaming, social media campaigns, influencer marketing) * Environmental sustainability practices * Local employment / skills development opportunities ________________________________________ 4. Confidentiality Information provided will be used solely to inform procurement strategy. Commercially sensitive information will not be disclosed publicly. ________________________________________ 5. Next Steps Following this engagement, the Council may: * Refine its delivery model * Publish a formal procurement notice * Decide not to proceed", "dueDate": "2026-05-20T23:59:59+01:00", "status": "scheduled" } ], "documents": [ { "id": "041646-2026", "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice", "noticeType": "UK2", "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041646-2026", "datePublished": "2026-05-06T20:30:57+01:00", "format": "text/html" }, { "id": "044575-2026", "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice", "noticeType": "UK2", "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044575-2026", "datePublished": "2026-05-14T16:44:04+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ] }, "tender": { "id": "25-S-206", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Pantomime Procurement", "description": "The Hexagon, Reading's largest entertainment venue, delivers a wide-ranging and diverse programme of events throughout the year. The annual pantomime represents the most commercially significant and strategically important component of the venue's programme. In 2022, a formal procurement process was undertaken to appoint Imagine Theatre as the pantomime production partner. This contract is now approaching its conclusion, with Aladdin (2026/27) being the final production under the current agreement, which ends in February 2027. To ensure continuity of delivery, audience engagement, and timely marketing and production planning, The Hexagon must enter into a new pantomime production contract by Autumn 2026, enabling full preparation for the 2027/28 pantomime season. The appointment of a pantomime production partner is a critical procurement for The Hexagon, given the pantomime's status as the venue's most commercially significant and strategically important annual event. A formal procurement process is required to ensure compliance with public sector procurement regulations, secure best value, promote fair competition, and mitigate financial and operational risk. Early market engagement and timely contract award are essential to enable sufficient lead-in time for creative development, casting, production planning, and marketing activity, all of which typically commence 12-18 months in advance of delivery.", "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "92300000", "description": "Entertainment services" } ], "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": "UKJ11", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKJ11", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "value": { "amountGross": 1155000, "currency": "GBP" }, "mainProcurementCategory": "services", "specialRegime": [ "concession" ], "aboveThreshold": true, "lots": [ { "id": "1", "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2026-10-01T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2029-10-01T23:59:59+01:00", "maxExtentDate": "2031-10-01T23:59:59+01:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "status": "planning" } ], "status": "planning" }, "language": "en" }