{ "uri": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/api/1.0/ocdsRecordPackages/ocds-h6vhtk-0692b3", "publisher": { "name": "Cabinet Office", "scheme": "GB-GOR", "uid": "D2", "uri": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office" }, "publishedDate": "2026-05-14T16:44:05+01:00", "license": "http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/", "publicationPolicy": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-contracting", "version": "1.1", "extensions": [ "https://standard.open-contracting.org/profiles/eu/latest/en/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_amendment_rationale_classifications_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_budget_breakdown_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_contract_completion_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_documentation_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_pagination_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_suitability_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/portaledcahn/ocds_Links_extension/main/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cabinetoffice/ocds_uk_extension/main/extension.json" ], "packages": [ "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/api/1.0/ocdsRecordPackages/ocds-h6vhtk-0692b3" ], "records": [ { "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0692b3", "releases": [ { "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0692b3", "id": "041646-2026", "tag": [ "planning" ], "date": "2026-05-06T20:30:57+01:00", "initiationType": "tender", "parties": [ { "name": "Reading Borough Council", "id": "GB-PPON-PWBJ-9435-VXQQ", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PWBJ-9435-VXQQ" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "Bridge Street", "locality": "Reading", "postalCode": "RG1 2LU", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKJ11" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "pchub@reading.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "url": "https://www.reading.gov.uk/", "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - sub-central government" } ] } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PWBJ-9435-VXQQ", "name": "Reading Borough Council" }, "planning": { "milestones": [ { "id": "engagement", "type": "engagement", "description": "SOFT MARKET ENGAGEMENT NOTICE\nSeasonal Pantomime Production\nVenue: The Hexagon\nLocal Authority: Reading Borough Council\nEngagement Reference: SOFT MARKET ENGAGEMENT NOTICE\nIssue Date: 06/05/2026\nResponse Deadline: 20/05/2026\n________________________________________\n1. Purpose of this Engagement\nRBC is undertaking a Soft Market Engagement exercise in advance of a potential procurement process for the delivery of a seasonal pantomime at The Hexagon.\nThe purpose of this exercise is to:\n•\tUnderstand current market capacity and appetite\n•\tExplore viable commercial and contractual models\n•\tInform the proposed procurement route and specification\n•\tIdentify innovation, audience development and community engagement opportunities\nThis is not a call for competition and does not commit the Council to commence a procurement process.\n________________________________________\n2. Venue Overview\n•\tAuditorium capacity: 960\n•\tTypical performance run: 48 performances from Early Dec - Early Jan\n•\tAverage pantomime attendance: 35,000\n•\tTechnical specification summary: Please follow the link \nhttps://tinyurl.com/HexagonTechSpec\nThe Council is particularly interested in understanding how producers can support:\n•\tBox office growth\n•\tRisk mitigation\n•\tCommunity participation\n•\tAccessibility and inclusive programming\n________________________________________\n3. Engagement Format\nThe Council proposes:\n•\tWritten responses to this questionnaire\n•\tOptional 1:1 virtual engagement meetings (30-45 minutes)\n•\tPotential supplier engagement event (if appropriate)\nAll participating organisations will receive the same information to ensure transparency.\n________________________________________\nSupplier Response Questionnaire\n1. Organisation Overview\n•\tCompany name and registration details\n•\tYears trading\n•\tSummary of pantomime production experience\n•\tExperience in similar sized Local Authority venues.\n________________________________________\n2. Market Insight\nPlease outline:\n•\tCurrent trends in regional pantomime production\n•\tEmerging commercial models (guarantee, risk-share, hybrid)\n•\tTypical production budget ranges for venues of comparable scale\n•\tCasting strategies and impact on financial performance\n________________________________________\n3. Commercial Structures\nFor a venue of 960 please indicate:\n•\tPreferred financial model and rationale\n•\tTypical box office splits (if risk-share)\n•\tMinimum performance run to ensure viability\n•\tKey cost drivers affecting pricing\nIndicative figures are welcome at this stage (non-binding).\n________________________________________\n4. Creative & Audience Development\n•\tHow do you tailor pantomime scale to venue size?\n•\tWhat marketing assets do you typically provide?\n•\tStrategies for reaching new or underrepresented audiences\n•\tExamples of community or education engagement delivered\n________________________________________\n5. Risk & Delivery Considerations\n•\tKey risks in delivering pantomime in the current market\n•\tMitigation strategies\n•\tLead-in time required for casting and production build\n•\tTechnical or scheduling constraints the Council should consider\n________________________________________\n6. Innovation & Added Value\n•\tDigital integration (streaming, social media campaigns, influencer marketing)\n•\tEnvironmental sustainability practices\n•\tLocal employment / skills development opportunities\n________________________________________\n4. Confidentiality\nInformation provided will be used solely to inform procurement strategy. Commercially sensitive information will not be disclosed publicly.\n________________________________________\n5. Next Steps\nFollowing this engagement, the Council may:\n•\tRefine its delivery model\n•\tPublish a formal procurement notice\n•\tDecide not to proceed", "dueDate": "2026-05-20T23:59:59+01:00", "status": "scheduled" } ], "documents": [ { "id": "041646-2026", "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice", "noticeType": "UK2", "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041646-2026", "datePublished": "2026-05-06T20:30:57+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ] }, "tender": { "id": "25-S-206", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Pantomime Procurement", "description": "The Hexagon, Reading's largest entertainment venue, delivers a wide-ranging and diverse programme of events throughout the year. 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Organisation Overview\n•\tCompany name and registration details\n•\tYears trading\n•\tSummary of pantomime production experience\n•\tExperience in similar sized Local Authority venues.\n________________________________________\n2. Market Insight\nPlease outline:\n•\tCurrent trends in regional pantomime production\n•\tEmerging commercial models (guarantee, risk-share, hybrid)\n•\tTypical production budget ranges for venues of comparable scale\n•\tCasting strategies and impact on financial performance\n________________________________________\n3. Commercial Structures\nFor a venue of 960 please indicate:\n•\tPreferred financial model and rationale\n•\tTypical box office splits (if risk-share)\n•\tMinimum performance run to ensure viability\n•\tKey cost drivers affecting pricing\nIndicative figures are welcome at this stage (non-binding).\n________________________________________\n4. Creative & Audience Development\n•\tHow do you tailor pantomime scale to venue size?\n•\tWhat marketing assets do you typically provide?\n•\tStrategies for reaching new or underrepresented audiences\n•\tExamples of community or education engagement delivered\n________________________________________\n5. Risk & Delivery Considerations\n•\tKey risks in delivering pantomime in the current market\n•\tMitigation strategies\n•\tLead-in time required for casting and production build\n•\tTechnical or scheduling constraints the Council should consider\n________________________________________\n6. Innovation & Added Value\n•\tDigital integration (streaming, social media campaigns, influencer marketing)\n•\tEnvironmental sustainability practices\n•\tLocal employment / skills development opportunities\n________________________________________\n4. Confidentiality\nInformation provided will be used solely to inform procurement strategy. 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Venue Overview\n•\tAuditorium capacity: 960\n•\tTypical performance run: 48 performances from Early Dec - Early Jan\n•\tAverage pantomime attendance: 35,000\n•\tTechnical specification summary: Please follow the link\nhttps://tinyurl.com/HexagonTechSpec\nThe Council is particularly interested in understanding how producers can support:\n•\tBox office growth\n•\tRisk mitigation\n•\tCommunity participation\n•\tAccessibility and inclusive programming\n________________________________________\n3. Engagement Format\nThe Council proposes:\n•\tWritten responses to this questionnaire\n•\tOptional 1:1 virtual engagement meetings (30-45 minutes)\n•\tPotential supplier engagement event (if appropriate)\nAll participating organisations will receive the same information to ensure transparency.\n________________________________________\nSupplier Response Questionnaire\n1. Organisation Overview\n•\tCompany name and registration details\n•\tYears trading\n•\tSummary of pantomime production experience\n•\tExperience in similar sized Local Authority venues.\n________________________________________\n2. Market Insight\nPlease outline:\n•\tCurrent trends in regional pantomime production\n•\tEmerging commercial models (guarantee, risk-share, hybrid)\n•\tTypical production budget ranges for venues of comparable scale\n•\tCasting strategies and impact on financial performance\n________________________________________\n3. Commercial Structures\nFor a venue of 960 please indicate:\n•\tPreferred financial model and rationale\n•\tTypical box office splits (if risk-share)\n•\tMinimum performance run to ensure viability\n•\tKey cost drivers affecting pricing\nIndicative figures are welcome at this stage (non-binding).\n________________________________________\n4. Creative & Audience Development\n•\tHow do you tailor pantomime scale to venue size?\n•\tWhat marketing assets do you typically provide?\n•\tStrategies for reaching new or underrepresented audiences\n•\tExamples of community or education engagement delivered\n________________________________________\n5. Risk & Delivery Considerations\n•\tKey risks in delivering pantomime in the current market\n•\tMitigation strategies\n•\tLead-in time required for casting and production build\n•\tTechnical or scheduling constraints the Council should consider\n________________________________________\n6. Innovation & Added Value\n•\tDigital integration (streaming, social media campaigns, influencer marketing)\n•\tEnvironmental sustainability practices\n•\tLocal employment / skills development opportunities\n________________________________________\n4. Confidentiality\nInformation provided will be used solely to inform procurement strategy. 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Purpose of this Engagement\nRBC is undertaking a Soft Market Engagement exercise in advance of a potential procurement process for the delivery of a seasonal pantomime at The Hexagon.\nThe purpose of this exercise is to:\n•\tUnderstand current market capacity and appetite\n•\tExplore viable commercial and contractual models\n•\tInform the proposed procurement route and specification\n•\tIdentify innovation, audience development and community engagement opportunities\nThis is not a call for competition and does not commit the Council to commence a procurement process.\n________________________________________\n2. Venue Overview\n•\tAuditorium capacity: 960\n•\tTypical performance run: 48 performances from Early Dec - Early Jan\n•\tAverage pantomime attendance: 35,000\n•\tTechnical specification summary: Please follow the link \nhttps://tinyurl.com/HexagonTechSpec\nThe Council is particularly interested in understanding how producers can support:\n•\tBox office growth\n•\tRisk mitigation\n•\tCommunity participation\n•\tAccessibility and inclusive programming\n________________________________________\n3. Engagement Format\nThe Council proposes:\n•\tWritten responses to this questionnaire\n•\tOptional 1:1 virtual engagement meetings (30-45 minutes)\n•\tPotential supplier engagement event (if appropriate)\nAll participating organisations will receive the same information to ensure transparency.\n________________________________________\nSupplier Response Questionnaire\n1. Organisation Overview\n•\tCompany name and registration details\n•\tYears trading\n•\tSummary of pantomime production experience\n•\tExperience in similar sized Local Authority venues.\n________________________________________\n2. Market Insight\nPlease outline:\n•\tCurrent trends in regional pantomime production\n•\tEmerging commercial models (guarantee, risk-share, hybrid)\n•\tTypical production budget ranges for venues of comparable scale\n•\tCasting strategies and impact on financial performance\n________________________________________\n3. Commercial Structures\nFor a venue of 960 please indicate:\n•\tPreferred financial model and rationale\n•\tTypical box office splits (if risk-share)\n•\tMinimum performance run to ensure viability\n•\tKey cost drivers affecting pricing\nIndicative figures are welcome at this stage (non-binding).\n________________________________________\n4. Creative & Audience Development\n•\tHow do you tailor pantomime scale to venue size?\n•\tWhat marketing assets do you typically provide?\n•\tStrategies for reaching new or underrepresented audiences\n•\tExamples of community or education engagement delivered\n________________________________________\n5. Risk & Delivery Considerations\n•\tKey risks in delivering pantomime in the current market\n•\tMitigation strategies\n•\tLead-in time required for casting and production build\n•\tTechnical or scheduling constraints the Council should consider\n________________________________________\n6. Innovation & Added Value\n•\tDigital integration (streaming, social media campaigns, influencer marketing)\n•\tEnvironmental sustainability practices\n•\tLocal employment / skills development opportunities\n________________________________________\n4. Confidentiality\nInformation provided will be used solely to inform procurement strategy. Commercially sensitive information will not be disclosed publicly.\n________________________________________\n5. Next Steps\nFollowing this engagement, the Council may:\n•\tRefine its delivery model\n•\tPublish a formal procurement notice\n•\tDecide not to proceed" }, { "releaseID": "044575-2026", "releaseDate": "2026-05-14T16:44:04+01:00", "releaseTag": [ "planningUpdate" ], "value": "SOFT MARKET ENGAGEMENT NOTICE\nSeasonal Pantomime Production\nVenue: The Hexagon\nLocal Authority: Reading Borough Council\nEngagement Reference: SOFT MARKET ENGAGEMENT NOTICE\nIssue Date: 06/05/2026\nResponse Deadline: 20/05/2026\nPlease submit your responses by email to \neoi@reading.gov.uk\n________________________________________\n1. 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