--- title: "Cafe Concession - Kielder Castle" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06567b" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06567b" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06567b.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06567b.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "FORESTRY COMMISSION" published: "2026-05-01" --- # Cafe Concession - Kielder Castle Buyer: FORESTRY COMMISSION Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06567b [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06567b) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06567b.json) ## Summary The Forestry Commission is inviting bids for a cafe concession at Kielder Castle, located in Northumberland, UK. The tender is currently in the Tender stage, with a closing date on the 5th of June 2026, at 11:00 AM. This procurement falls under the services category, specifically targeting cafeteria services (CPV 55330000). Prospective operators are expected to serve a variety of hot and cold food and beverages to the visitors of Kielder Forest. The procurement process is being conducted through an open competition method, and it is part of a light-touch regime, with the total contract value estimated at £3,500,000 over a term starting on the 20th of July 2026 and ending on the 31st of December 2036. This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses in the hospitality sector, particularly those specialising in food and beverage services. Suitable candidates include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), offering a chance to operate in a location with substantial foot traffic. Engaging in this tender could provide a platform for business expansion and brand visibility within a picturesque and popular destination. Businesses with innovative service models tailored to diverse customer needs could find notable growth prospects through this concession. Additionally, the emphasis on electronic submission and the clear tender documentation provide an accessible and transparent bidding process. ## Notice Forestry England are seeking an organisation to operate the Cafe Concession at Kielder Castle, Northumberland. The operator will be required to serve hot and cold food and beverages to members of the public visiting Kielder Forest. Full details of the requirements are enclosed in the tender documentation available. ### Planning Information As part of the Cafe Concession opportunity, we will be holding a scheduled site visit for prospective suppliers to view the cafe premises on the 11th March 2026. Suppliers wishing to attend must register their interest. The purpose of the visit is to engage with the market and gather general feedback on the opportunity, this may included proposed layout ideas and potential fit out considerations, proposed lease plan and indicative timelines. This preliminary market engagement is intended to help us better understand market interest and practical considerations ahead of the formal tender process. Expressions of Interest Expressions of interest should be submitted via email to alexis.lintott@forestryengland.uk. Following consideration of the initial expressions of interest, Forestry England may wish to engage in further soft market testing with respondents. Therefore, at this stage the scope of the lease and lease duration is still subject to change based on feedback from the market. This prior information notice does not commit Forestry England to any future procurement or any subsequent decisions based on the output of the market sounding exercise. Forestry England reserves the right not to proceed to a formal procurement process. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040357-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning, Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 1 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | 5 Jun 2026 | | Future notice date | 16 Mar 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 20 Jul 2026 - 31 Dec 2036 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £3,000,000 | | Lots value | £3,500,000 | | 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 | FORESTRY COMMISSION | | Locality | BRISTOL | | Post town | Bristol | | Postcode | BS16 1EJ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK5 West of England | | ITL 3 | TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire | | Local authority | South Gloucestershire | | Electoral ward | Stoke Park & Cheswick | | Westminster constituency | Filton and Bradley Stoke | | Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services ### Codes - 55330000 - Cafeteria services ## Release History - 1 May 2026 at 09:37 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040357-2026 - 1 May 2026 at 09:12 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040340-2026 - 17 Feb 2026 at 16:35 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014502-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040357-2026 1st May 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040340-2026 1st May 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014502-2026 17th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://app.panacea-software.com/ForestryCommission/eRFX-Suppliers/OpenReq.aspx?requirementId=f04581f5-24a9-48c3-931c-03b87d7cbaad - 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-06567b. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06567b.json.