---
title: "Martello Tower E - Preliminary Market Engagement"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-066b2c"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066b2c"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066b2c.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066b2c.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCIL"
published: "2026-05-05"
---

# Martello Tower E - Preliminary Market Engagement

Buyer: TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCIL  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-066b2c

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## Summary

As of 5th May 2026, Tendring District Council, in collaboration with Essex County Council, is in the planning stage of a public procurement process for the Martello Tower E project, located in Clacton-on-Sea, United Kingdom. This initiative is part of a broader £19.8m district regeneration programme and focuses on the conservation, repair, and refurbishment of the historic Martello Tower E into a future events and cultural venue. The procurement is currently in the market engagement phase, with a scheduled deadline for feedback by 2nd June 2026. The project encompasses various works, including the installation of a weather enclosure, heritage conservation, and refurbishment, with an indicative value of £2.25 million, and holds an expected contract period starting in December 2026 through to December 2030. Addressing immediate condition issues of this historic Grade II listed structure is a key priority.

This procurement opportunity is ideal for contractors and specialists with expertise in heritage and conservation-led construction, particularly those familiar with work on Scheduled Monuments and listed buildings. Businesses with capabilities in erecting temporary weather protection structures and handling complex refurbishments in coastal environments will find this opportunity well-suited to their expertise. Participation in this preliminary market engagement can provide businesses with the chance to influence packaging, phasing of works, and to offer insights on market capacity and capability, aiding in shaping a detailed procurement plan for Martello Tower E. With significant funding allocated, this project not only promises business growth but also the prestige of contributing to a landmark community regeneration initiative.

## Notice

This notice is issued to inform the market of an upcoming works opportunity and to seek early market feedback to help shape the procurement strategy, scope, and delivery approach. This Pre-Market Engagement (PME) exercise does not constitute a commitment by the Authority to commence a procurement or to award any contract. Participation is voluntary and will not provide any advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement process. Note: A previous Pre-Market Engagement exercise was undertaken; however, limited market interest indicated that the project approach required reconsideration. As a result, the Authority has reviewed the delivery strategy and now intends to combine all elements of the works (temporary enclosure, enabling works, repair and refurbishment) into a single procurement package Tendring District Council has secured funding as part of a wider PS19.8m regeneration programme to deliver a number of schemes across the district. One of the key projects is the repair, conservation and refurbishment of Martello Tower E, a Napoleonic-era coastal defence structure located in Clacton-on-Sea. Approximately PS2.25m has been allocated to repurpose the tower into a future events and cultural venue, while conserving its historic fabric and significance for future generations. Martello Tower E is a Scheduled Monument and Grade II listed structure, and the Authority has been working closely with Historic England, who are supportive of the proposed approach. The proposed procurement package will initially focus on addressing the building's immediate condition issues, followed by repair, conservation and refurbishment works. The scope is indicative and subject to further development but is expected to include: - UKPN power connection and associated works - Erection of a temporary weather enclosure to allow drying out - Careful lifting, numbering and storage of historic building fabric in line with conservation best practice - Enabling works as required - Conservation-led repair works -Refurbishment works to prepare the building for an incoming tenant, including: Floor refurbishments Installation of external windows and doors Platform lift and staircase Mechanical and electrical services Internal and below-ground drainage and attenuation - Construction of a small new pavilion building to support future use The Authority is seeking early feedback from suitably experienced contractors and specialists, particularly those with expertise in: - Heritage and conservation-led construction - Work to Scheduled Monuments and listed buildings - Temporary works and weather protection structures - Complex refurbishment in exposed coastal environments Feedback may help inform: - Packaging and phasing of works - Risk allocation - Procurement procedure and timescales - Market capacity and capability

### Planning Information

This notice is not a call for competition and does not pre‑judge or guarantee participation in any future procurement.
The Market Engagement Information Pack and accompanying questionnaire will be made available via the Open portal. Interested organisations are invited to take part by:
Visiting: https://www.open-uk.org/opportunities
Searching for Essex County Council
Selecting project reference OPEN2026813
Downloading the Market Engagement Pack and completing the questionnaire before the deadline
Important information:
This market engagement exercise is purely informational and does not affect any future procurement process, evaluation, or tender timetable. Responding is entirely optional and will not advantage or disadvantage any supplier. Essex County Council and Tendring District Council accept no liability for any costs incurred in responding. All communications must be submitted through the Open messaging function.
Supplier registration on Open is free.
To create an account, please contact open.support@nepo.org and they will create an account for you.
Technical support is available via the Open Helpdesk at: open.support@nepo.org

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041200-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Works |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 5 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 2 Jun 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Dec 2026 - 1 Dec 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £2,250,000 |
| 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 | TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCIL |
| Additional buyers | ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | CLACTON-ON-SEA |
| Post town | Colchester |
| Postcode | CO15 1SE |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH3 Essex |
| ITL 3 | TLH36 Heart of Essex |
| Local authority | Chelmsford |
| Electoral ward | Moulsham and Central |
| Westminster constituency | Chelmsford |
| Delivery location | TLH3 Essex |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)
- 45 - Construction work

### Codes

- 44212317 - Scaffolding structures
- 44212320 - Miscellaneous structures
- 45000000 - Construction work

## Release History

- 5 May 2026 at 15:22 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041200-2026
- 16 Mar 2026 at 14:36 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023572-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041200-2026
  5th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023572-2026
  16th March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.essex.gov.uk/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.open-uk.org/opportunities

## 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-066b2c. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066b2c.json.