--- title: "182_26 Creative Materials, Card, Textiles and Glitter" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05095c" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05095c" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05095c.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05095c.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, TRADING AS ESPO" published: "2026-03-17" --- # 182_26 Creative Materials, Card, Textiles and Glitter Buyer: LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, TRADING AS ESPO Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05095c [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05095c) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05095c.json) ## Summary The procurement process titled "182_26 Creative Materials, Card, Textiles and Glitter" involves Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO, as the buying organisation. The framework is designed to facilitate the supply of a variety of craft-related products, including creative materials, card, textiles, and glitter, to the ESPO Distribution Centre located in Leicester, UK. This procurement has reached the award stage, with contracts signed on 13 February 2026. The framework comprises four lots and uses an open procedure, as per the legal basis of UKPGA 2023, section 54. The contracts are set to begin on 1 March 2026 and run until 31 March 2028, with the possibility of extension up to February 2030. All awarded suppliers are based in the United Kingdom, covering regions such as UKF22, UKH14, and UKD34, and include mainly SMEs, ensuring that small and medium enterprises have significant involvement. This procurement offers substantial opportunities for businesses in the craft and textile industry by providing a lucrative framework for supplying creative and craft materials to a significant public sector buyer. The lots cover a range of goods, including handicraft and art supplies, textiles, paraffin wax, and craft paper, creating diverse opportunities for competitive participation. SMEs specialising in these areas can benefit significantly, leveraging their capability to deliver quality goods across different regions mentioned in the framework. The open procedure allows broad participation, inviting capable suppliers to compete under clearly defined criteria, with a strong emphasis on both price and quality, thereby fostering business growth and enhancing market presence for successful bidders. ## Notice ESPO catalogue framework for the supply of creative materials, card textiles and glitter, for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester. This will include a wide variety of craft related products. The Framework is divided into 4 lots. ### Lot Information Collage and Accessories Supply of assorted collage and craft products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester. For further details, please refer to the procurement/tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove to the products listed within the Pricing Schedule (accessible with all other procurement/tender documents) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are in line with the Framework scope. Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2028), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above. Craft Kits and Packs Supply of craft products and craft packs for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester. For further details, please refer to the procurement/tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove to the products listed within the Pricing Schedule (accessible with all other procurement/tender documents) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are in line with the Framework scope. Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2028), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above. Textiles and Protective Covers Supply of textile and craft products for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester. For further details, please refer to the procurement/tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove to the products listed within the Pricing Schedule (accessible with all other procurement/tender documents) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are in line with the Framework scope. Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2028), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above. Craft Paper and Accessories Supply of craft paper and accessories for delivery to the ESPO Distribution Centre, Leicester. For further details, please refer to the procurement/tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove to the products listed within the Pricing Schedule (accessible with all other procurement/tender documents) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are in line with the Framework scope. Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2028), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 23 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. All estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above. ### Planning Information The purpose of the Preliminary market engagement (PME) is to cover a range of topics designed to best explore our requirements in a possible future procurement. These topics may include: 1. develop ESPO's requirements and approach to the procurement 2. help better identify suitable suppliers in the market and their supply chains 3. understand products/service offerings from suppliers and the marketplace in general Engagement with suppliers is anticipated to be a mix of methods, including Requests for Information (RFI) and meetings (both virtual and/or in-person). Visits to supplier's premises may also be used where deemed to be of particular use. For the purposes of this Preliminary market engagement (PME), please express your interest as follows: (a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '182_26' (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); d) Express an interest. Please access the Messages area/section of the eProcurement Portal (ProContract / EastMidsTenders - Messages can be accessed via the Activity dashboard once an Expression of interest has been completed) for any further communications on this preliminary market engagement, including the RFI documentation - optional responses are required by 12/05/2025. In the case of any questions or clarifications relating to this PME, these should also be submitted to ESPO as a Message on the eProcurement Portal (again once an Expression of interest has been completed). Notwithstanding the above process, as this procurement exercise is a renewal of an existing ESPO framework, ESPO reserves the right to engage with some, all or none of the incumbent suppliers appointed to the existing framework, alongside any additional suppliers identified following the above expression of interest and/or RFI exercise. Suppliers should note that this is a preliminary market engagement exercise (and NOT a competitive tender process at this stage). The participation of a supplier in this preliminary market engagement will not constitute any contractual agreement between the respondent and ESPO. A supplier's participation, or lack of participation, in this preliminary market engagement shall not impact the ability of the supplier to participate in any resulting tender exercise. Suppliers should note that any interest indicated does not constitute a commitment to participate in any future tendering exercise. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024187-2026 | | Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | SME | | All stages | Planning, Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 17 Mar 2026 | | Submission deadline | 17 Sep 2025 | | Future notice date | 18 Jul 2025 | | Award date | 8 Jan 2026 | | Contract period | 1 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £2,880,000 | | Lots value | £2,880,000 | | Awards value | £2,880,000 | | Contracts value | £2,400,000 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, TRADING AS ESPO | | Locality | LEICESTER | | Post town | Leicester | | Postcode | LE19 1ES | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLF East Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire | | ITL 3 | TLF22 Leicestershire CC and Rutland | | Local authority | Blaby | | Electoral ward | Enderby | | Westminster constituency | South Leicestershire | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 12 | | Supplier names | ANGLO BRANDS; ANTHONY PETERS MANUFACTURING; BRIGHT IDEAS MARKETING; DALER-ROWNEY; HABICO; J.M.CLAYTON AND CO.LIMITED; JOHN L BRIERLEY ARTS & CRAFTS; MAJOR BRUSHES; TEXET SALES; VICTORIA GRANT; WHITECROFT ESSENTIALS (LYDNEY; WIGSTON PAPER | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 09 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy - 19 - Leather and textile fabrics, plastic and rubber materials - 37 - Musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories - 39 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products ### Codes - 09221200 - Paraffin wax - 19200000 - Textile fabrics and related items - 19220000 - Woollen fabrics - 19400000 - Textile yarn and thread - 37810000 - Handicraft supplies - 37820000 - Art supplies - 37823500 - Art and craft paper - 39227100 - Sewing needles or knitting needles ## Release History - 17 Mar 2026 at 15:26 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024187-2026 - 21 Jan 2026 at 16:02 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005455-2026 - 18 Aug 2025 at 15:13 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049604-2025 - 29 Apr 2025 at 14:12 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017683-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024187-2026 17th March 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005455-2026 21st January 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049604-2025 18th August 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017683-2025 29th April 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.eastmidstenders.org/ Please refer to the procurement/tender documents (see above for further details including summary instructions on how to access these). ## Notice URLs - http://majorbrushes.co.uk - http://www.anthonypeters.com - http://www.artandcraftfactory.co.uk - http://www.brightideascrafts.co.uk - http://www.colourfulfelt.co.uk - http://www.habico.co.uk - http://www.texet.com - http://www.whitecroft.co.uk - https://daler-rowney.com - https://www.espo.org/ - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05095c. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05095c.json.