--- title: "Cardiff Riding School" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-064dcf" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-064dcf" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064dcf.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064dcf.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "CARDIFF COUNCIL" published: "2026-02-11" --- # Cardiff Riding School Buyer: CARDIFF COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-064dcf [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-064dcf) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064dcf.json) ## Summary Cardiff Council has initiated a tender process for the redevelopment and management of Cardiff Riding School, a public equestrian facility located in the scenic Pontcanna Fields, Cardiff. As part of the planning stage, interested parties are invited to express their interest by completing a questionnaire via Proactis by 12:00 noon on 11th March 2026. The procurement process aims to identify a contractor capable of investing capital to enhance the facility, managing existing staff, and expanding educational programmes. This contract falls under the category of "services" with a concession special regime and is valued at £18,000,000, grossing at £21,600,000. The anticipated contract period extends from 1st December 2026 to 1st December 2051. This tender presents notable opportunities for businesses in the sectors of property management, sports facilities operation, and horse riding school services. Companies specialising in building and facilities management, business organisation, and commercial property management can leverage their expertise to meet the needs of Cardiff Riding School. This project is particularly well-suited for SMEs looking to invest in infrastructure and develop programmes aimed at children and young people, including those at risk of failing in mainstream education. The strategic location coupled with the need for modernisation and expansion offers ample growth potential for capable contractors willing to bring innovation and investment to the equestrian centre. ## Notice Cardiff Riding School is the only Local Authority operated equestrian facility in Wales delivering riding lessons for schools, children and adults, disability groups, children's parties and more recently for alternative curriculum for children at risk of failing in mainstream education. It also provides a livery for private horse owners. The facility is set in the beautiful surrounding of Pontcanna Fields in the heart of the city with excellent public transport access. The facility is in need of capital investment and has potential for growth through broadening the education programme, better use of the outdoor space and products on offer. The facility comprises: Indoor riding school - Building 45m x 40m but part of the 40m is gallery so actual riding area 45m x 25m. Outdoor riding school 40m x 40m. External fenced grounds of 35 acres including buildings, grounds (approx. 30 acres). Car Park for 50/60 cars. Stables x 39 stables, 8 stalls Livestock comprises: Horses x 43, 31 school horses, 12 livery horses, 1 of those working livery so works in the school Ancillary facilities are as follows: First Aid, Feed, Staff Room, Demountable office, Caretakers House (24 hr care) BTEC classroom, Portable toilets, Barn with internal rooms for parties/pony club and feed storage. Staffing consists of: Instructors x 6 contracted and 11 agency. Yard hands x 2 contracted and 13 agency. Assistant Management x 1. Receptionists x 3 contracted and 3 agency. 8.5 FTE's. Bookings Full daily Tuesday to Sunday 9am-8pm weekdays 9am-4.30pm weekends Current estimated Annual Income: PS570,000 Current estimated Annual Expenditure PS98,000 www.outdoorcardiff.com/cardiff-riding-school The aim is to attract an operator that can bring significant capital investment to the facility, protect, develop and enhance the existing programme. Manage, develop existing staff (TUPE will apply) and recruit new staff to grow and develop the educational offer. Provide new educational opportunities for children and young people linking with local schools, colleges and targeting children at risk of failing in mainstream education through providing vocational education opportunities. To modernise systems and develop the riding school as an equestrian centre of development and excellence. The Council invites interested prospective contractors to lodge an initial expression of interest via Proactis and submit a questionnaire response before 12:00 noon on 11th March 2026 https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login Participating in this exercise will not guarantee short-listing at a later stage in the procurement, likewise non-participation of the questionnaire or any engagement sessions will not result in a bidder being excluded from the tender process. ### Planning Information Initial expression of interest via Proactis and completion of the questionnaire by 12:00 (noon) on 11th March 2026. https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012380-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 11 Feb 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 3 Aug 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Dec 2026 - 1 Dec 2051 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £18,000,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | CARDIFF COUNCIL | | Locality | CARDIFF | | Post town | Cardiff | | Postcode | CF10 4UW | | Country | Wales | | ITL 1 | TLL Wales | | ITL 2 | TLL5 South East Wales | | ITL 3 | TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan | | Local authority | Cardiff | | Electoral ward | Butetown | | Westminster constituency | Cardiff South and Penarth | | Delivery location | TLL22 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 45 - Construction work - 70 - Real estate services - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security - 80 - Education and training services - 92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services ### Codes - 45212110 - Leisure centre construction work - 45212290 - Repair and maintenance work in connection with sports facilities - 70330000 - Property management services of real estate on a fee or contract basis - 70332000 - Non-residential property services - 70332100 - Land management services - 70332200 - Commercial property management services - 79993000 - Building and facilities management services - 79996000 - Business organisation services - 80513000 - Horse riding school services - 92610000 - Sports facilities operation services ## Release History - 11 Feb 2026 at 12:53 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012380-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012380-2026 11th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://www.cardiff.gov.uk - https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login - 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-064dcf. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064dcf.json.