Exhibition Design Consultancy · UK public procurement notice

The Royal Armouries is preparing to procure a multi-disciplinary exhibition design consultancy to deliver a major, phased redisplay of its permanent galleries at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, as part of the Armouries 700 capital programme. To inform the forthcoming procurement strategy and foster early collaboration, we are undertaking a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) with interested suppliers.

This engagement invites responses from exhibition design consultancies, design-led consortiums, and specialist collaborators experienced in delivering ambitious, inclusive and collection-focused cultural projects. Through this process, we aim to refine our approach, test market capacity, and promote strong alignment between our vision and the delivery model proposed by the market.

Scope of Engagement

The purpose of this engagement is to:

•Introduce the design opportunity for the Armouries 700 gallery redisplay project (approx. 4,740m² of gallery space)

•Share a draft Design Brief for early comment and refinement

•Gain insight into market capability, appetite, and delivery models

•Invite early feedback on potential challenges or risks associated with the proposed timeline, scope or budget

•Support the development of an informed procurement approach and tender documentation

•To obtain feedback on the draft Design Brief, scope or timeline

•Initial thoughts on potential delivery risks or constraints

Engagement is non-evaluative and non-competitive and does not form part of any future selection process.

Planned Engagement Activities

Suppliers will be invited to participate in the following activities as part of the PME process:

•Virtual Market Engagement Briefing Webinar

Monday 17th June 2025 at 2:30 PM (BST)

Hosted via Microsoft Teams

A live session open to all interested parties, presenting the project scope, procurement timeline, and key requirements. There will be an opportunity to ask questions, share comments, and request further clarification on the design brief.

•Design Brief Distribution

A full version of the draft Design Brief will be sent to interested parties ahead of the webinar to enable informed discussion and feedback.

How to Express Interest

Suppliers who wish to participate in the engagement process, attend the webinar, or submit questions and comments should contact:

[email protected]

Subject line: PME – Exhibition Fit-Out Design

Please include in your email:

•Contact name, organisation, and role

•Contact details (email and telephone)

•Indication of availability for the webinar on 17th June 2025

Important Dates

•Deadline for Expression of Interest (to attend webinar or request briefing pack):

12:00 Noon on Thursday 12th June 2025

•Virtual Market Engagement Webinar:

Monday 17th June 2025 at 2:30 PM (via Microsoft Teams)

•Distribution of Briefing Pack and Teams Invitation:

Beginning immediately and finishing Thursday 13th June 2025

•Deadline for Feedback :

Friday 28th June 2025 at 5:00 PM

Location and Format

All engagement events will be conducted virtually. Please note:

• All sessions will be held online via Microsoft Teams
• No site visits will be held at this stage of the process
• A preliminary design briefing pack will be issued electronically upon registration

Who Should Respond

This engagement is open to:

•Multi-disciplinary exhibition design consultancies

•Creative partnerships or consortiums

•Architects or interpretive designers with relevant museum or gallery experience

•Organisations or individuals specialising in digital media, accessibility, lighting, sustainable design, or co-creation strategies relevant to gallery design

We particularly encourage responses from teams with demonstrable experience working on high-value, phased cultural or heritage capital projects, including those involving co-creation, storytelling, live performance, and inclusive interpretation.

Future Procurement

This engagement is for information and planning purposes only and does not commit the Royal Armouries to any course of procurement or award. Participation in this process will not affect any future application to a formal procurement procedure.

Details of the tender opportunity, selection criteria, and contract structure will be confirmed in the Invitation to Tender Documents.

If you have any questions regarding this PME or wish to clarify the opportunity before responding, please get in touch using the email address provided.

We look forward to engaging with the market and exploring innovative, inclusive, and sustainable ideas to help deliver this once-in-a-generation transformation of the Royal Armouries Museum.