---
title: "Graduation Ceremony Venue Hire"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-07764c"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-07764c"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-07764c.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-07764c.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE OPEN UNIVERSITY"
published: "2026-09-21"
---

# Graduation Ceremony Venue Hire

Buyer: THE OPEN UNIVERSITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-07764c

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-07764c.json)

## Summary

The Open University procured event services to hire Bridgewater Hall for a graduation ceremony. The requirement covers venue hire for the university’s graduation event, including the use of the venue for the ceremony itself. The buying organisation is The Open University, a public authority based in Milton Keynes. The service is associated with event delivery in the United Kingdom, with Bridgewater Hall identified as the venue. This is a single-service requirement rather than a broader programme of event management, construction or goods supply. Suppliers specialising in venue hire, conference and ceremony spaces, and the operational support needed to host formal large-scale events would be the most relevant comparators for this procurement.

The procurement has been completed and awarded. It used a direct award below the applicable threshold, without competition, and comprised one lot. Legends Global Holdings Limited was selected as the supplier. The contract was signed on 23 July 2026 and runs from 23 July 2026 to 29 October 2027, covering the graduation ceremony scheduled for 29 October 2027. Its value is £32,361.67 excluding VAT, or £38,834 including VAT. The requirement was evaluated through the direct-award route rather than a competitive tender, so no comparative scoring or published award weighting applies. The contract is active and the tender status is complete.

This award provides a clear indication of demand for a substantial, formal graduation venue at The Open University, with the buyer using a direct route for a below-threshold event-services requirement. Competitors seeking comparable future work would need a suitable established venue, the capacity and facilities to host a university graduation ceremony, and the operational reliability to support a high-profile scheduled event. Relevant experience in venue hire for graduations, conferences, ceremonies or other large organised events would help demonstrate credibility. Suppliers should also be able to manage venue availability, event-day logistics, coordination with the university and the practical requirements of hosting attendees safely and professionally. A strong local venue relationship and dependable delivery capability would be commercially relevant.

## Notice

Hire of Bridgewater Hall for a graduation ceremony on 29th October 2027

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089086-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - without competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 21 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 23 Jul 2026 - 29 Oct 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £32,361 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE OPEN UNIVERSITY |
| Locality | MILTON KEYNES |
| Postcode area | Milton Keynes |
| Postcode | MK7 6AA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLJ12 Milton Keynes |
| Local authority | Milton Keynes |
| Electoral ward | Monkston |
| Westminster constituency | Milton Keynes Central |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | SMG Europe Holdings Limited |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 79952000 - Event services

## Release History

- 21 Sep 2026 at 12:05 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089086-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089086-2026
  21st September 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- 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-07764c. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-07764c.json.