---
title: "RFQ2026/37 - Appointment of Specialist Consultancy Team to present options regarding appropriate operating models for a new Theatre and Conference facility in Newry City."
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0777b3"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0777b3"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0777b3.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0777b3.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMD)"
published: "2026-09-22"
---

# RFQ2026/37 - Appointment of Specialist Consultancy Team to present options regarding appropriate operating models for a new Theatre and Conference facility in Newry City.

Buyer: Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMD)  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0777b3

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## Summary

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is seeking a specialist consultancy team for a new Theatre and Conference Centre in Newry City. The commission is to assess potential operating models for the facility and recommend the most appropriate approach. The advice should support artistic creativity, help grow a new audience and ensure the long-term viability of the preferred model. This is a professional services requirement covering general management consultancy, business development consultancy and development consultancy. The work relates to the facility in Newry City, Northern Ireland, and will be delivered for the Council as the public-sector buyer. Suppliers with relevant experience in cultural, theatre, conference, visitor-attraction or comparable facility operating models may find the subject matter particularly relevant.

The procurement has reached tender: the Council invited offers through a below-threshold open competition. It is a single-lot service requirement with an estimated value of £29,000 excluding VAT, or £34,800 including VAT. The contract is scheduled to run from 28 October 2026 to 28 January 2027. Questions must be submitted by 12:00 on 2 October 2026, and offers must be submitted by 12:00 on 7 October 2026. Electronic submission is allowed through the MultiQuote supplier portal. Evaluation is weighted 80% for quality and 20% for price, with the detailed quality requirements set out in the request-for-quotation documentation. The opportunity is below the applicable procurement threshold.

This opportunity suits specialist management and development consultancies able to evaluate operating models for a new theatre and conference facility and turn the analysis into practical recommendations. Strong candidates are likely to bring experience in cultural or entertainment venues, conference facilities, audience development, artistic programming, business planning and long-term financial or operational viability. The work calls for the ability to assess options, consider how a facility can promote artistic creativity and grow audiences, and advise on the operating model best placed to support sustained delivery. The requirement is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises, so established specialists and appropriately experienced smaller or mission-led consultancies may compete. Quality is the main evaluation consideration, carrying 80% of the score.

## Notice

The purpose of this process is to undertake an assessment of potential operating models for a new Theatre and Conference Centre facility in Newry City and assist the Council with recommendations on the most appropriate operating model for the facility in terms of promoting artistic creativity, growing a new audience for the facility and ensuring long term viability of the preferred operating model.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089714-2026 |
| 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 | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 22 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 7 Oct 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 28 Oct 2026 - 28 Jan 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £29,000 |
| Lots value | £29,000 |
| 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 | Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMD) |
| Locality | NEWRY |
| Postcode area | Northern Ireland |
| Postcode | BT34 2QU |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| ITL 1 | TLN Northern Ireland |
| ITL 2 | TLN0 Northern Ireland |
| ITL 3 | TLN08 Newry, Mourne and Down |
| Local authority | Newry, Mourne and Down |
| Electoral ward | Abbey |
| Westminster constituency | Newry and Armagh |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 73220000 - Development consultancy services
- 79411000 - General management consultancy services
- 79411100 - Business development consultancy services

## Release History

- 22 Sep 2026 at 14:48 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089714-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089714-2026
  22nd September 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://suppliers.multiquote.com
- 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-0777b3. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0777b3.json.