Scope
Description
Tenders are invited to develop, deliver and operate an Innovation Hub within part of the Watford Town Hall Building, with the aim of generating income over the longer term for Watford Borough Council (WBC), accelerating growth in the local economy and securing worthwhile use of space within the Town Hall.
The Innovation Hub project is part of a wider programme: the Town Hall Quarter - an ambitious and comprehensive 10-year programme of activity at the northern end of Watford High Street to realise a vision of:
'a vibrant and thriving hub in the heart of the town, creating exciting new opportunities for our residents, businesses and community, contributing to Watford's prosperity and success'
In September 2021 the Council approved a Strategic Business Case to develop an Innovation Hub. Following further development work, including wide market engagement, the Council has been successful in receiving government funding to develop an Innovation and Incubation Hub within the Town Hall. Since then, the Council has concentrated on the development of an Innovation Hub in the first instance, with scope in the future to expand this to include business incubation as well.
The vision of the Innovation Hub is to:
'act as a centre for the successful generation and exploitation of new ideas, to transform creative thinking into new products, and develop new and improved processes and technologies to support new ways of doing business.'
It is intended that the Innovation Hub will:
•Make better use of Watford's historic Town Hall, opening it up for greater community and business use, securing its long-term future and putting it firmly at the centre of the life of the town
•Boost high quality jobs, offering an inspiring, dynamic and well-connected new space for people to work, start and grow their businesses
•Generate work opportunities for our young people, providing attractive career paths and links to local employment
The Council now wish to enter into a contract with a suitably experienced operator who would manage and deliver the services in the Hub. The intention is to appoint an operator in early 2026, in order that the operator can be involved, as early as possible, in the design process for the Hub.
Please note the published contract value is an estimated income generating contract centred around profit share rather than an expenditure contract value.
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Total value (estimated)
- £4,500,000 excluding VAT
- £5,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 February 2026 to 29 February 2036
- 10 years, 1 month
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
- 85322000 - Community action programme
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
- 98133100 - Civic betterment and community facility support services
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
31 October 2025, 12:00pm
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
11 November 2025, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
19 January 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Expertise | Refer to Attachments |
Quality | 65% |
| Cost Model | Refer to Attachmens |
Price | 35% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Concession
Competitive flexible procedure description
The first stage will be to submit supplier proposals. This will be evaluation according to the set criteria and successful suppliers will be invited to the second stage which will involve supplier presentations.
Contracting authority
Watford Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDGQ-4877-NMGQ
Town Hall, Three Rivers House Northway,
Watford
WD17 3EX
United Kingdom
Region: UKH23 - Hertfordshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government