TenderlineUK
Procurement Intelligence
Search
Find a TenderClosedTender notice
Published 17 Feb 2026, 16:35 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Cafe Concession - Kielder Castle

Official notice

Authority: Forestry Commission (Public body)

ServicesBelow threshold - open competitionBelow thresholdLight touch regimeSME suitableVCSE suitable
Sectors: Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services (55) Delivery: North East (UKC)North West (UKD)
Published estimate£3,500,000≈ £288k / year · £3,500,000 inc. VAT · 1 value update
Submissions closed 5 Jun 2026
Next notice expected 16 Mar 2026
Contract term 10 yrs 5 moends 31 Dec 2036 · starts 20 Jul 2026

What is being bought

Published requirement description

Forestry England are seeking an organisation to operate the Cafe Concession at Kielder Castle, Northumberland. The operator will be required to serve hot and cold food and beverages to members of the public visiting Kielder Forest.

Full details of the requirements are enclosed in the tender documentation available.

CPV: Cafeteria services

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published
Lot #1 10 yrs 5 moSMEVCSEPublished value£3,500,000
Contract period: 20 Jul 2026 – 31 Dec 2036 (10 yrs 5 mo)Value: £3,500,000 exc. VAT · £3,500,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: North East, North WestEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
55330000 Cafeteria services

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored

Lot awarding rule: Full details of the award criteria can be found in the tender documents provided

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Below threshold - open competition
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Closed
Procurement threshold
Below threshold
Regulatory regime
Light touch regime
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
17 Feb 2026, 16:35 GMT
Last source update
1 May 2026, 10:37 BST
Authority reference
FCCN003937
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-040340
Latest notice
Tender notice (UK4)
Classification (CPV)
Cafeteria services
Delivery area
North East (UKC)North West (UKD)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06567b Find a Tender

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: Panacea
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowed
Access & registration note: Free
Submission deadline
5 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

app.panacea-software.com/ForestryCommission/e… ↗

Timeline

17 Feb 2026 → 20 Jul 2026 · 6 dates
  1. Planning notice published251 days ago
    17 Feb 2026, 16:35 GMT
  2. Next notice expected224 days ago
    16 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT
  3. Market engagement224 days ago
    16 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT

    As part of the Cafe Concession opportunity, we will be holding a scheduled site visit for prospective suppliers to view the cafe premises on the 11th March 2026. Suppliers wishing to attend must register their interest.

    The purpose of the visit is to engage with the market and gather general feedback on the opportunity, this may included proposed layout ideas and potential fit out considerations, proposed lease plan and indicative timelines.

    This preliminary market engagement is intended to help us better understand market interest and practical considerations ahead of the formal tender process.

    Expressions of Interest

    Expressions of interest should be submitted via email to alexis.lintott@forestryengland.uk. Following consideration of the initial expressions of interest, Forestry England may wish to engage in further soft market testing with respondents.

    Therefore, at this stage the scope of the lease and lease duration is still subject to change based on feedback from the market.

    This prior information notice does not commit Forestry England to any future procurement or any subsequent decisions based on the output of the market sounding exercise. Forestry England reserves the right not to proceed to a formal procurement process.

  4. Tender notice published179 days ago
    1 May 2026, 10:12 BST
  5. Submission deadline144 days ago
    5 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
  6. Contract starts99 days ago
    20 Jul 2026

Notice history

6 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 17 Feb 2026
  1. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    17 Feb 2026, 16:35 GMT
    UK2
  2. Tender notice published
    1 May 2026, 10:12 BST
    UK4
  3. Status changed to active
    1 May 2026, 10:12 BST
  4. Procurement method changed
    1 May 2026, 10:12 BST
  5. Deadline published: 5 Jun 2026, 12:00 BST
    1 May 2026, 10:12 BST
  6. Tender notice published
    1 May 2026, 10:37 BST
    UK4
Published amendments (1)

Contract location added.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Forestry Commission

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PLRM-7846-HGLG 620 Bristol Business Park, Bristol, South West, BS16 1EJContact email, phone

Official documents & specifications (3)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Preliminary market engagement notice planningPreliminary market engagement noticeUK2Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender