---
title: "Octagon Theatre Refurbishment Project"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0648be"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0648be"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0648be.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0648be.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "SOMERSET COUNCIL"
published: "2026-04-21"
---

# Octagon Theatre Refurbishment Project

Buyer: SOMERSET COUNCIL  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0648be

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## Summary

Somerset Council is currently overseeing the public procurement process for the Octagon Theatre Refurbishment Project, located in Yeovil, Somerset. This ambitious refurbishment aims to transform the theatre into a Cultural Arts Hub, improving both its infrastructure and accessibility. The procurement process, initiated in April 2026, is in the tender stage and employs a competitive flexible procedure. Potential suppliers must express their interest by 25 May 2026, with the award period ending on 7 December 2026. The tender falls under the construction and civil engineering sector, with the main procurement category focused on works, and covers delivery within the UKK23 region. The project is valued at approximately £11.5 million, and Somerset Council is collaborating with Yeovil Town Council to ensure the project's longevity and sustainability.

This project presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in construction, refurbishment, and civil engineering works, as Somerset Council seeks suppliers with expertise in delivering similar projects. The procurement method allows flexibility, enabling businesses to negotiate effectively and submit competitive bids. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to apply, and selection criteria favour innovation and technical competence alongside pricing. Successful bidders will partake in not just structural refurbishments, but also accessibility enhancements and environmental impact improvements, making this tender an exciting opportunity for companies looking to expand their portfolio in the cultural sector and contribute to community-oriented developments.

## Notice

Octagon Theatre Refurbishment in Yeovil, Somerset. NEC4 ECC Opt A Contract The project aims to transform the Octagon Theatre into a Cultural Arts Hub for Somerset. Led by Somerset Council, with a Collaboration Agreement with Yeovil Town Council, the project will involve YTC in the Project Board and delivery team. Upon completion, the theatre will be devolved to YTC, ensuring long-term sustainability. The project comprises the refurbishment and extension to the existing Octagon Theatre, along with external works and ramped access to the first floor. An outline of these works is as follows: - * Extension to the existing foyer creating double height space * Extension of existing studio (ground floor) and cafe (first floor) * Extension to BoH areas with the creation of a crossover to the rear of the stage * Vertical extension to the existing stagehouse to increase flying height * Internal reconfigurations and refurbishment to existing areas * External works including new ramped access to first floor, drainage, hard and soft landscaping

### Planning Information

A Preliminary Market Engagement Event will be hosted online by Somerset Council on Thursday 19 February 2026 at 15:30
Suppliers should use the messaging function on the portal to request the meeting link:
Portal address - https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login
Listing - ERFX1002793 - Octagon Theatre Refurbishment Project
The meeting will be hosted on Microsoft Teams - the link can be accessed through a web browser and does not require that you have Microsoft Teams installed.
The Preliminary Market Engagement Event is intended for the Authority's officers to share information with regards to this contract.
The Draft Agenda for the Preliminary Market Engagement Event will be as follows:
• Introductions
• Design Scope and Constraints
• Procurement Process
• Conditions of Contract - NEC4
• Questions
• Closing Information
Attendance or non-attendance will not prejudice any supplier's participation in any subsequent procurement exercise/s.
The slides, information presented, and any questions & responses provided will be made available following the event.
The publication of this preliminary market notice starts the market engagement process for Somerset Council's (the Authority's) for the refurbishment and improvement works. The Authority wishes to engage with potential suppliers with an expertise in the successful delivery of similar works and provide an overview of the Authority's proposed approach and procurement process. The Authority wishes to enter into a NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract for this work. The objective of the Authority is to deliver the following outcomes:
• The replacement/renewal of the plant, machinery and physical infrastructure of the building - investment to meet current compliance requirements and provide resilience.
• Improving accessibility for all, including additional accessible toilets throughout the building for customers, a changing places facility and an accessible dressing room, also with accessible toilet and shower.
• Renewing and improving the auditorium and rehearsal space for a better audience experience and wider participation.
• Reorganisation and significant improvement of front of house facilities - significant benefits for audience experience, particularly for trading incomes from food and drink.
• Backstage accessibility improvements to ensure comprehensive accessibility.
• Plans to improve the environmental impact of the venue - energy efficiency measures/sustainable practices.
• Increased revenue from front-of-house facilities.
• Improvements to the stage house and backstage area will significantly improve the technical aspects of our productions. Raising the roof will enable the team to fly cloths out and a backstage crossover will support the ambitions of the theatre programme and talented local community groups.
The Authority is publishing this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice to inform the market of its intention regarding the above.
Key elements of the project include:
• New build extension
• Repairs, upgrades and refurbishment of the existing building fabric such as new roof, insulation, cladding, doors, windows.
• Auditorium Refurbishment: The main auditorium will undergo a full refurbish-ment, including new seating, carpets, and layout improvements.
• Participatory Studio, Enhanced Café Bar, Front of House and Customer Facili-ties Customer facilities will be substantially improved, including a major in-crease in the number and accessibility of toilets. This will include: 
o Toilets on each level of the venue 
o Gender-neutral toilet options 
o Additional accessible toilets 
o A Changing Places facility to meet the needs of those with complex dis-abilities
• The redevelopment will ensure full accessibility throughout the venue. En-hancements include: 
• Lift access to all floors 
o Accessible toilets and showers both front-of-house and backstage
o Improved circulation for audiences, performers, and staff 
o Backstage & Technical Enhancements: Substantial improvements to the stage house and backstage areas
• Key upgrades include: 
o Raising the stage house roof to accommodate a double-purchase coun-terweight flying system that will mean the theatre will be able to fly stage cloths out and support more technically challenging productions 
o Installation of a backstage crossover
o Structural interventions to adjust the existing build
o Mechanical and Electrical works
o Landscaping works (hard and soft)
o Fit out of kitchens, WCs, public areas
o Specialist theatre fit out including stage engineering, acoustics and the-atrical systems

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036328-2026 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Works |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 21 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 2 Apr 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 17 Feb 2027 - 16 Dec 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £11,500,000 |
| Lots value | £11,500,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | SOMERSET COUNCIL |
| Locality | TAUNTON |
| Post town | Taunton |
| Postcode | TA1 4DY |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset |
| ITL 3 | TLK62 Somerset |
| Local authority | Somerset |
| Electoral ward | Bishop's Hull & Taunton West |
| Westminster constituency | Taunton and Wellington |
| Delivery location | TLK23 Somerset CC |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 45 - Construction work

### Codes

- 45200000 - Works for complete or part construction and civil engineering work

## Release History

- 21 Apr 2026 at 16:09 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036328-2026
- 5 Feb 2026 at 11:59 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010401-2026
- 5 Feb 2026 at 11:57 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010399-2026
- 5 Feb 2026 at 11:51 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010396-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036328-2026
  21st April 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010401-2026
  5th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010399-2026
  5th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010396-2026
  5th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login
- https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/LoginReferencefortender:EPRO1000432ERFX1003033
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.somerset.gov.uk/

## 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-0648be. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0648be.json.