Find a TenderAwarded without competitionContract details notice
Published 10 Sept 2026, 10:10 BST

Official UK procurement notice

ECC049 - Words and Worlds (Artist in Residence)

Authority: Middlesbrough Council (Local council)

Below threshold - without competition
Awarded value£29,030published contract · exc. VAT
Awarded 12 Aug 2026no call for competition
Awarded to MUSTARD STORIES ARTS CIC

What is being bought

Published requirement description

Works & Worlds is a bespoke methodology developed and delivered by the awarded supplier. The project model, workshop structure, editorial process, anthology production approach and celebration event format has been refined through multiple successful iterations.

The project's success is directly linked to this established approach, which combines creative writing facilitation, oral storytelling, community engagement, editorial development, publishing and participant celebration in a distinctive format. Replicating this model through another provider would require significant investment, and redevelopment. Not only would this be costly, but it would risk losing the authenticity and impact that have become synonymous with the awarded supplier.

The primary aim of the project is to amplify voices that are often underrepresented in mainstream cultural activity and will seek to work with individuals who:

• Have limited confidence in creative writing

• Have complex relationships with formal education

• Have varying literacy levels

• May speak multiple languages

• Have experienced social exclusion or marginalisation.

Delivery requires skilled and experienced facilitators, who can create safe, inclusive and accessible environments. The project's ethos preserves participants' authentic voices, ensuring contributors feel ownership of their stories and represented within the final publication/showcase.

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published
Lot #1Lot 1Awarded
Delivery: North East
92000000 Recreational, cultural and sporting services98000000 Other community, social and personal services

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Below threshold - without competition
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Notice status
Awarded without competition
Procurement threshold
Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Direct award — no call for competition
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
No (one-off requirement)
First published
10 Sept 2026, 10:10 BST
Last source update
10 Sept 2026, 10:10 BST
Authority reference
ECC049
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Delivery area
North East (UKC12)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f65a

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics — not a forecast
Awards 1
Awarded value £29,0301 contract exc. VAT
Contracts signed 1latest 12 Aug 2026
Awarded toValueDateStatus
MUSTARD STORIES ARTS CICVCSEAwarded

Contracts

Notice history

1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender
  1. Contract details notice published
    10 Sept 2026, 10:10 BSTUK7

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Middlesbrough Council

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PLJH-5252-HJDM PO Box 500, Middlesbrough, North East, TS1 9FT [email protected]

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice

Official documents & specifications (1)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender