--- title: "98_26 Heavy and Light Catering Equipment - Supply, Maintenance and Kitchen Design" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-050f87" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-050f87" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-050f87.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-050f87.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "ESPO" published: "2026-04-17" --- # 98_26 Heavy and Light Catering Equipment - Supply, Maintenance and Kitchen Design Buyer: ESPO Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-050f87 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-050f87) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-050f87.json) ## Summary Leicestershire County Council, operating as ESPO, has completed its open tender process for the framework focused on the supply, maintenance, and design of heavy and light commercial catering equipment. The framework, divided into four lots, includes a comprehensive approach to meeting diverse catering equipment needs across various public sector organisations in the UK, including local authorities, NHS bodies, and educational establishments, among others. This tender, titled "98_26 Heavy and Light Catering Equipment - Supply, Maintenance and Kitchen Design," was finalised and the contracts signed on 31 March 2026, following an extensive award process concluding with contracts beginning on 1 April 2026 and having the power to extend to 2030. Parties involved in this procurement include numerous suppliers such as ABM Catering for Leisure Limited, AFE Group Limited, and G.S. Catering Equipment Limited, covering regions across the UK. This tender provides substantial opportunities for businesses operating in the catering equipment sector, particularly those offering kitchen supplies, maintenance services, and turnkey solutions. SMEs have robustly participated in the final bidding stages, suggesting a competitive yet accessible process for smaller enterprises. Businesses that specialise in catering equipment and services, whether they provide light kitchen supplies or complete kitchen installations, will find favourable growth opportunities through this framework, potentially expanding their reach into public sector markets. The flexibility for suppliers to bid regionally or sub-regionally enhances the chances of tailoring services to specific market needs, leading to dynamic business advancements. This framework embodies a strategic procurement approach that links business growth to public sector service enhancement. ## Notice ESPO national framework for the supply of various heavy and light commercial catering equipment, maintenance and servicing of catering equipment and turnkey kitchen design. Suppliers may bid on a regional and/or sub-regional basis. The Framework is divided into 4 lots (with lot 1 also being further sub-divided into 9 sub-lots). For any additional details please also refer to https://www.espo.org/heavy-and-light-catering-equipment-supply-maintenance-and-kitchen-design-98-26.html Note: Overall framework award was concluded on 31/03/2026, with this notice being published to follow on from this. ### Lot Information Catering Equipment Includes the supply and delivery of commercial catering equipment, split into the following 9 Sub-lots; * Sub-lot 1a - Prime Cooking * Sub-lot 1b - Ware-washing * Sub-lot 1c - Refrigeration * Sub-lot 1d - Heated, Ambient and Refrigerated Display * Sub-lot 1e - Food Transport * Sub-lot 1f - Food Preparation Equipment * Sub-lot 1g - Beverage Equipment * Sub-lot 1h - General Fabrication, shelving and storage * Sub-lot 1i - Extraction and Ventilation The scope of Lot 1 shall also include, installation and related Goods (such as accessories and specific cleaning products), training, advice, the removal of packaging and old/obsolete equipment should any of those Services be requested by the Customer. For further details, please refer to the tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove requirements throughout the life of the contract. Renewal: ESPO may choose to use the extension period where; * The framework is performing well * It continues to broadly meet customer needs ESPO reserves the right to implement the extension period in part, full, or in increments (such as x2 12-month periods). Light Catering Equipment and Catering Consumables Includes the supply and delivery of such Light Catering Equipment and Goods such as cutlery, crockery, glassware, cookware, gastronomes, kitchen utensils, table service, food storage products, oven cloths, tea towels, chopping boards, thermometers, scales and small kitchen appliances such as kettles, toasters, blenders and juicers. The scope of Lot 2 shall also include Catering Consumables, such as cling film, foils & parchments, takeaway hot and cold cups & lids, cutlery & stirrers, tableware, food-to-go containers, food packaging and labelling, kitchen hygiene products, paper napkins and table covers and food bags and carrier bags The Supplier will be expected to offer Customers an innovative range of Goods that meet current and future Customer requirements, and which support the Customer with their commitment to reducing their impact on the environment, including but not limited to Goods that are biodegradable, recyclable and compostable and which improve recycling and support waste management initiatives. For further details, please refer to the tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove requirements throughout the life of the contract. Renewal: ESPO may choose to use the extension period where; * The framework is performing well * It continues to broadly meet customer needs ESPO reserves the right to implement the extension period in part, full, or in increments (such as x2 12-month periods). Maintenance Services for Catering Equipment Includes the maintenance, servicing and refurbishment of a range of commercial catering equipment. Suppliers shall be able to provide to Customers a range of Services including preventative maintenance packages, labour inclusive packages, fully comprehensive maintenance packages, deep cleaning and replacement parts and labour. For further details, please refer to the tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove requirements throughout the life of the contract. Renewal: ESPO may choose to use the extension period where; * The framework is performing well * It continues to broadly meet customer needs ESPO reserves the right to implement the extension period in part, full, or in increments (such as x2 12-month periods). Turnkey Kitchen Solutions Includes the provision of a full Turnkey Kitchen Solution which shall include the design of kitchen layouts along with the supply and installation of the kitchen facility including the installation of a range of commercial catering equipment with an option to provide additional Services such as maintenance, advice and training as requested by the Customer. For further details, please refer to the tender documents. Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove requirements throughout the life of the contract. Renewal: ESPO may choose to use the extension period where; * The framework is performing well * It continues to broadly meet customer needs ESPO reserves the right to implement the extension period in part, full, or in increments (such as x2 12-month periods). ### Planning Information Suppliers are required to register and complete the relevant stages on the Central Digital Platform if they wish to participate in or bid for this framework. Request for Information: A 98_26 Heavy and Light Catering Equipment RFI document is available on the EastMidsTenders eProcurement Portal (www.eastmidstenders.org). Suppliers wishing to participate must first register interest for 98_26 on the EastMidsTenders eProcurement Portal. The RFI is available within a Public Message on the Portal, which includes instructions on completion and the RFI return deadline. A complimentary FAQ document is also available to review alongside this. ESPO may contact suppliers to seek clarification or understanding of the information provided in their RFI response or to discuss their RFI responses in further detail. To ensure that equal treatment principles are upheld, any information provided by the market that ESPO deems to be neither confidential or commercially sensitive which shapes our procurement process, proposed route and any refinements will be shared and used to help ensure that participating suppliers are not unfairly advantaged, including details of the process and outcomes. Potential bidders will not be prejudiced by any participation or failure to participate to this preliminary market engagement exercise and should note that a response to this preliminary market engagement exercise does not guarantee an invitation to participate in this or any future procurement that ESPO may conduct. 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 '98_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. 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). ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035221-2026 | | 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 | Large, SME | | All stages | Planning, Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 17 Apr 2026 | | Submission deadline | 25 Nov 2025 | | Future notice date | 22 Aug 2025 | | Award date | 5 Mar 2026 | | Contract period | 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £54,000,000 | | Lots value | £54,000,000 | | Awards value | £45,000,000 | | Contracts value | £45,000,000 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | ESPO | | Additional buyers | 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 | 39 | | Supplier names | A F & E F; ABM CATERING FOR LEISURE; AFE GROUP LIMITED (T/A WILLIAMS REFRIGERATION, FALCON FOODSERVICE EQUIPMENT, AND MILLER'S VANGUARD; AIREDALE CATERING EQUIPMENT; ALLIANCE DISPOSABLES; BGL RIEBER; BLUESTONE CATERING SOLUTIONS; BUNZL UK LIMITED (T/A LOCKHART CATERING EQUIPMENT; CALOMAX; CBES; COMMERCIAL APPLIANCE LIMITED (T/A CE-TECH; CORSAIR ENGINEERING; DENBY CATERING EQUIPMENT; E & R MOFFAT; ELECTROLUX PROFESSIONAL; ELITE CATERING EQUIPMENT; FIRST IN SERVICE; FOX CATERING EQUIPMENT; G.S. CATERING EQUIPMENT; HATHERLEY COMMERCIAL SERVICES; HK (KITCHEN AND BAR SOLUTIONS; JLA; KCM (CATERING EQUIPMENT; LOVAT'S GROUP; LOWE RENTAL; MEIKO; MODO COMMERCIAL KITCHEN DESIGN; NOBISCO; OPULENT COLLECTION; PATTERSONS (BRISTOL; R.H. HALL (MICROWAVE; STEPHENS CATERING EQUIPMENT; SWIFT MAINTENANCE SERVICES (1973; THE KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; UNIVERSAL UNITY; W V HOWE; WELBILT; WHITCO CATERING AND BAKERY EQUIPMENT; WILLIAM FREER | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 39 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products - 42 - Industrial machinery - 45 - Construction work - 50 - Repair and maintenance services ### Codes - 39221000 - Kitchen equipment - 39222000 - Catering supplies - 39310000 - Catering equipment - 39311000 - Light catering equipment - 42500000 - Cooling and ventilation equipment - 45212500 - Kitchen or restaurant conversion - 45421151 - Installation of fitted kitchens - 50883000 - Repair and maintenance services of catering equipment ## Release History - 17 Apr 2026 at 12:52 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035221-2026 - 11 Mar 2026 at 07:46 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021588-2026 - 21 Nov 2025 at 11:07 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075942-2025 - 20 Oct 2025 at 12:44 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066723-2025 - 25 Jun 2025 at 09:58 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034982-2025 - 28 May 2025 at 12:22 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028095-2025 - 9 May 2025 at 10:23 - Planning - UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019990-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035221-2026 17th April 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021588-2026 11th March 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075942-2025 21st November 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066723-2025 20th October 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034982-2025 25th June 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028095-2025 28th May 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019990-2025 9th May 2025 - Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.eastmidstenders.org/ To tender (please proceed to step (e) if an expression of interest has already been completed): (a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '98_26' (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); (d) Express an interest; (e) Download the tender documents (from the ProContract Activity summary screen). - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-14927 98_26 Framework Agreement - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-14928 98_26 Framework Schedule 3 - Form of Contract and Call-Off Terms - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-14930 98_26 Framework Agreement - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-14931 98_26 Framework Schedule 3 - Form of Contract and Call-Off Terms - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-14932 98_26 Framework Agreement - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-14933 98_26 Framework Schedule 3 - Form of Contract and Call-Off Terms - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-14935 98_26 Framework Agreement - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-14936 98_26 Framework Schedule 3 - Form of Contract and Call-Off Terms ## Notice URLs - https://www.espo.org/ - https://www.espo.org/amfile/file/download/file/9608/ - https://www.espo.org/heavy-and-light-catering-equipment-supply-maintenance-and-kitchen-design-98-26.html - https://www.espo.org/legal - 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-050f87. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-050f87.json.