Scope
Reference
OPEN20251840
Description
Durham County Council (DCC) are looking to explore the market options in relation to a corporate wide catering review and externally delivered catering solution across a number of its public facing venues.
The Council has taken time to consider its position and ability to deliver a catering offer through its public facing venues and initial input from the market through previous market engagement exercises. The Council has now identified two key delivery routes which it would like to explore further. This exercise is to help support the Council's decision making going forward and consider information provided by the market on the level of interest from external provision, potential lease options and key areas of information required to help the Council in any potential Procurement activity.
The Council has identified the following venues to be in scope of this market engagement opportunity:
• Abbey Leisure Centre
• Bishop Auckland Leisure Centre
• Bishop Auckland Town Hall
• Durham Dales Tearoom
• Durham Leadership Centre
• Empire Theatre, Consett
• Gala Theatre
• Hardwick Park
• Killhope Lead Mining Museum
• Peterlee Leisure Centre
• Spennymoor Leisure Centre
• The Dunes Café
• The Light (formerly known as the Durham Light Infantry Museum)
• The Louisa Centre
• The Story
• Wharton Park
Please note this is a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) opportunity only at this stage. We are welcoming written responses to our PME questionnaire at this stage. The questionnaire can be accessed free of charge by registering on the Open Portal at open-uk.org
The estimated contract value includes all venues within scope, however we also welcome responses from SMEs who may be interested in one or more venue.
Total value (estimated)
- £24,000,000 excluding VAT
- £28,800,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2035
- 8 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 55300000 - Restaurant and food-serving services
- 55500000 - Canteen and catering services
Contract locations
- UKC14 - Durham CC
Engagement
Engagement deadline
3 December 2025
Engagement process description
Durham County Council (DCC) are looking to explore the market options in relation to a corporate wide catering review and externally delivered catering solution across a number of its public facing venues.
The Council has taken time to consider its position and ability to deliver a catering offer through its public facing venues and initial input from the market through previous market engagement exercises. The Council has now identified two key delivery routes which it would like to explore further. This exercise is to help support the Council's decision making going forward and consider information provided by the market on the level of interest from external provision, potential lease options and key areas of information required to help the Council in any potential Procurement activity.
The Council has identified the following venues to be in scope of this market engagement opportunity:
• Abbey Leisure Centre
• Bishop Auckland Leisure Centre
• Bishop Auckland Town Hall
• Durham Dales Tearoom
• Durham Leadership Centre
• Empire Theatre, Consett
• Gala Theatre
• Hardwick Park
• Killhope Lead Mining Museum
• Peterlee Leisure Centre
• Spennymoor Leisure Centre
• The Dunes Café
• The Light (formerly known as the Durham Light Infantry Museum)
• The Louisa Centre
• The Story
• Wharton Park
Please note this is a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) opportunity only at this stage. We are welcoming written responses to our PME questionnaire at this stage. The questionnaire can be accessed free of charge by registering on the Open Portal at open-uk.org. Search for '002777 - Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) for Strategic Catering Opportunities across County Durham.' Download, complete and submit the PME Questionnaire through the Open Portal by Wednesday 3rd December 2025 at 12 noon.
The estimated contract value includes all venues within scope, however we also welcome responses from SMEs who may be interested in one or more venue.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Contracting authority
Durham County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMPB-8772-VYWM
Corten House, Dunholme Close
Durham
DH1 5WB
United Kingdom
Email: zoe.embleton@durham.gov.uk
Website: http://www.durham.gov.uk/
Region: UKC14 - Durham CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government