Official UK procurement notice
Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On Event
Authority: BLACKPOOL COUNCIL (Local council)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionAppointment of an experienced and innovative organisation
to partner with and help deliver the iconic Blackpool Switch-On event. The delivery partner will play a central role in shaping and executing a dynamic, high-impact event that reflects the vibrancy and cultural significance of the Blackpool Illuminations. Proposals address and integrate the following three key objectives:
Event Entertainment and Line-Up - Curate and manage a compelling programme of entertainment that appeals to a diverse audience, including securing world class headline talent and the Switch-On Celebrity. Production - Deliver a high-quality, safe, and seamless production to a provided specification that meets the expectations of a large-scale live and broadcast audience.
Marketing and Campaign - Design and implement an engaging marketing campaign that maximises regional and national visibility, drives attendance, and reinforces Blackpool's
position as a premier UK event destination. A detailed specification is available.
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 Feb 2029, 23:59 GMT.
- How the procedure runs: The procurement is being conducted under the light touch regime. Any Supplier may submit a tender in the first and only round. The conditions of participation will be assessed and Suppliers who pass these will have their tender fully evaluated. Three suppliers will be shortlisted for interview based on the highest scoring tenders.
CPV: Exhibition, fair and congress organisation services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedRenewalPublished value£840,000
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
Published award criteria (3)
- Quality: Written submission and interview. As described within the tender documents
- Social Value: As described within the tender documents
- Price: As described within the tender documents
- Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Light touch regime
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · next expected 1 Feb 2029
- First published
- 11 Apr 2025, 14:38 BST
- Last source update
- 17 Jun 2025, 15:57 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 3 Jun 2025
- Authority reference
DN770978- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-014678- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0501adFind a Tender
- How it runs
The procurement is being conducted under the light touch regime. Any Supplier may submit a tender in the first and only round. The conditions of participation will be assessed and Suppliers who pass these will have their tender fully evaluated. Three suppliers will be shortlisted for interview based on the highest scoring tenders.
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 12 May 2025, 09:30 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 7 May 2025, 17:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Tenders should be submitted via the Council's e-procurement portal The Chest (ProActis).
The link to the tender opportunity, including all information and tender documentation can be found here:
Timeline
11 Apr 2025 → 17 Jun 2025 · 7 dates- Tender notice published11 Apr 2025, 14:38 BST
- Clarification questions by7 May 2025, 17:00 BST
- Submission deadline12 May 2025, 09:30 BST
- Award decision expected by3 Jun 2025, 23:59 BST
- Assessment summaries sent6 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST
- Contract starts11 Jun 2025, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published17 Jun 2025, 15:57 BST
Notice history
5 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 11 Apr 2025- Tender notice published11 Apr 2025, 14:38 BSTUK4
- Tender notice published11 Apr 2025, 15:03 BSTUK4
- Contract award notice published17 Jun 2025, 15:57 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete17 Jun 2025, 15:57 BST
- Contract signature expected23 Jun 2025, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Published amendments (1)
Updated submission information with link to the opportunity on The Chest (ProActis)
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIPER MUSIC MANAGEMENT LTD24 Jun 2025 – 25 Jun 2026 · up to 25 Jun 2029Extensions: The contract is offered for 1 year with the option to extend incrementally for 36 months (likely to be +1+1+1y). The contract extensions will be subject to contract review of delivery and performance, and budget . · Options: The contract shall include the right to include additional purchases by agreement with the supplier for any event or services related to provision of Illuminations switch-on and any extended programme. There is no obligation or guarantee attached to this option. | £1,008,000 inc. VAT | 2 Jun 2025 | Awarded |
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3final-stage tenders · 4 at stage one | 3 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- PIPER MUSIC MANAGEMENT LTDAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (3)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender