Official UK procurement notice
Operating The Blackwood Miners’ Institute
Authority: Caerphilly County Borough Council (Local council)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionBlackwood Miners' Institute (BMI) is a cultural landmark with a proud history. Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC) is seeking to appoint an external operator to lead the artistic, cultural, community and commercial activity of this Grade II listed historic venue
Following a comprehensive review of the venue's future operating model, CCBC is now commencing a formal procurement process to identify a suitably experienced organisation to manage and develop Blackwood Miners' Institute. The Council is inviting applications from organisations with proven expertise in cultural, arts, heritage, entertainment and venue management, and a strong track record of delivering sustainable and community focused operations.
The successful operator will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational management of the venue, ensuring the delivery of a high quality artistic and cultural programme, engaging local communities, maximising commercial opportunities and safeguarding the long term sustainability of the Institute.
Through this tender opportunity, CCBC is seeking an operator that can demonstrate a clear vision for the future of Blackwood Miners' Institute, building upon its heritage and reputation while developing a vibrant, financially resilient, and inclusive cultural destination.
Tenderers will be required to submit responses in accordance with the requirements set out within the procurement documentation. Submissions will be evaluated against the published criteria, including quality, financial sustainability, operational capability, and community impact. Following evaluation, CCBC intends to appoint a preferred operator and enter into a contractual agreement for the management and operation of Blackwood Miners' Institute.
This opportunity represents a unique chance to shape the future of one of Wales' most significant cultural venues and to contribute to the continued cultural, social, and economic development of the local community.
Full details can be found in the Initiation to Tender (ITT) Pack
CPV: Artistic and literary creation and interpretation services · Arts-facility operation services · Dance and performance entertainment services · Museum services and preservation services of historical sites and buildings · Property management services of real estate on a fee or contract basis · Recreational-area services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1RenewalPublished value£1,600,000
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).
- Quality: Quality 100%
No conditions of participation were published on the notice; check the tender documents.
Competition analysis · published record, not a forecast of who will bid
How Caerphilly County Borough Council buys Property management services of real estate on a fee or contract basis (CPV 7033), and who usually turns up
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s own published record, next to the published market for the same work. Frameworks and DPS are kept out: they attract a different number of bids. Whole-market view: Property management services of real estate on a fee or contract basis (CPV 7033) →
How the contest usually goes
Winner shares use published awards; bid and price charts use contested lots.
i
How often small and medium firms win.
Share of awards where the winner’s size is known.
The counts under this question show how many awards have a known supplier size.
Small firms have won here. Neither number says whether you qualify; it describes who has been winning.
i
How often local firms win similar work.
Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.
Here, local means registered in Wales (Cymru).
A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.
Most of this buyer’s recorded winners are registered in Wales (Cymru).
i
How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.
Middle value in days from the deadline to the first award notice, on competitions that published both dates.
Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.
Half of these awards were announced within 47 days of the bid deadline.
i
How often work is awarded with no recorded rival.
Direct awards and tenders where every published lot count shows one bid.
Both shares are minimums: some awards have no bid count.
Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.
Direct awards or one recorded bid are common here. Check the route before spending time on a bid.
How many bids did past lots attract?
i
How many bids past lots received.
Each colour is a bid-count range. Only competed lots with a published count are included.
Past bids do not predict this tender.
1 bid19% / 0%
2–338% / 62%
4–616% / 31%
7+28% / 8%
How did awards compare with estimates?
i
Where winning prices landed against estimates.
Each colour shows awards below, close to or above the published estimate, one lot at a time.
Past prices are a guide, not a bid price.
Below estimate44% / 29%
Within ±2%40% / 57%
Above estimate17% / 14%
Assess each lot i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
Open a lot for its forecast, this buyer’s previous supplier and possible competitors, from published award history, not a bid list
Lot #1CPV 7033Published estimate£1.6m
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid30%
2–323%
4–637%
7+10%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
Based on 8 comparable awards. Each lot reflects its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Middle 50%£1.4m–£1.6m
Estimate£1.6m
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
| Supplier | This buyer’s earlier contract | Lot | Award value | Why listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ergo Events LtdWorked for this buyer | Ffos Caerffili - Market Operatornotice published Sept 2023 | — | — | Similar wording and category |
| CURRIE and BROWN UK LIMITEDWorked for this buyer | The Provision of a Multi-Discipline Development Appraisal Contractornotice published Oct 2021 | — | — | Similar wording and category |
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| £418m14 awards in 36m · last this month | 2 live · £503m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 8% below n=2 | |
| £4.5m21 awards in 36m · last 1 months ago | 4 live · £5.3m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 7% below n=6 | |
| £1.5m27 awards in 36m · last this month | 8 live · £462k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 18% below n=1 | |
Alder King LLPLarge | £400k2 awards in 36m · last 3 months ago | None on file | 39% below n=1 |
| £774k3 awards in 36m · last 10 months ago | 2 live · £338k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 50% below n=2 |
About this data
- Source. Official UK public procurement notices (Find a Tender), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. New notices arrive through the day; the figures are rebuilt nightly.
- Two views, kept apart. The authority’s own track record and the wider market for the same kind of work sit side by side and are never mixed. Where the local picture is too thin, a figure widens to a broader market and says which one it used.
- Forecasts are labelled. The price forecast and its range, possible competitors and the earlier-work matches are our estimates from past awards: not published facts, not win chances and not price advice. Official notices do not say who is bidding.
- Every figure shows what it rests on. Not every notice publishes a bid count, a value or a delivery region, so each figure carries the number of records behind it, and one built on few records is marked as such. The on a figure explains it; the counting rules are in the methodology. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Open for tender
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Concession
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 23 Feb 2026, 16:31 GMT
- Last source update
- 30 Sept 2026, 15:59 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 14 Dec 2026
- Authority reference
CCBC/PS3030/26/HS- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-092526- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-065a79Find a Tender
How to participate & submission route
Official notice Submit via ProContract (Due North)- Requests to participate (first stage)
- —
- Tender submission deadline
- 18 Nov 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 11 Nov 2026, 17:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en, cy
Timeline
23 Feb 2026 → 1 Feb 2027 · 8 dates- Planning notice published239 days ago23 Feb 2026, 16:31 GMT
- Market engagement208 days ago26 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT
Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC) is undertaking preliminary market engagement with organisations interested in occupying and operating Blackwood Miners’ Institute (BMI) as a cultural and heritage venue.
The Council is looking to appoint an external operator to lead the artistic, cultural, community, and commercial activity of BMI, ensuring its long-term sustainability while protecting its heritage and public value. This opportunity will play a vital role in strengthening cultural participation, supporting community engagement, nurturing creative talent, and contributing to town centre regeneration, while preserving an iconic historic asset for future generations.
The external operator will be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the Institute, including artistic programming, staffing, audience development, commercial activity, and venue hire, working in partnership with the Council. CCBC will remain landlord and custodian of the building, retaining responsibility for long-term stewardship and major structural maintenance.
The Council is seeking suitable organisations that can deliver ambitious, inclusive, and high-quality cultural programming, develop audiences and community participation, support artist development and creative learning, and generate sustainable income through commercial and event activity. The ability to operate a multi-purpose venue, manage diverse spaces, and balance public value with commercial viability is essential.
As part of this market engagement, the Council is sharing headline operational data from 2025 to help prospective operators understand the scale and scope of activity at Blackwood Miners’ Institute:
- 37,111 tickets sold
- 36,349 audience attendees
- £517,868.54 net income
- 164 performances delivered
- 82% average performance capacity
This is an opportunity to work in close partnership with the Council to co-design and deliver a refreshed operating model that will secure the long-term future of Blackwood Miners’ Institute. We want to collaborate with organisations who share our commitment to inclusive, creative, and community-focused cultural provision.
Depending on the operating model proposed and following further legal assessment it is anticipated that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) may apply. If TUPE is applicable, eligible staff currently assigned to the operation of BMI may have the right to transfer to the successful external operator on their existing terms and conditions.
Organisations wishing to attend a planned site visit to the Blackwood Miners’ Institute on either Wednesday, 11 March 2026, or Wednesday, 18 March 2026, must register their attendance no later than three working days before their chosen visit date.
The deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest is 12:00 noon on Thursday, 26 March 2026.
The deadline for submitting any questions prior to the Expression of Interest is 12:00 noon on Monday, 23 March 2026.
Further details, including timescales and submission requirements, will be issued as part of this tendering process.
Organisations interested in attending a site visit and/or submitting an Expression of Interest to tender can contact the Council by Dialogue on the Find-a-Tender Service, Proactis.
A link to Proactis is provided below:
Logon:
supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login ↗
Registration Link:
- Next notice expected183 days ago20 Apr 2026, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published20 days ago30 Sept 2026, 15:59 BST
- Today20 Oct 2026
- Clarification questions byin 22 days11 Nov 2026, 17:00 GMT
- Submission deadlinein 29 days18 Nov 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Award decision expected byin 55 days14 Dec 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract startsin 103 days1 Feb 2027
Notice history
8 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 23 Feb 2026- Preliminary market engagement notice published23 Feb 2026, 16:31 GMTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published24 Feb 2026, 09:26 GMTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published26 Feb 2026, 09:50 GMTUK2
- Tender notice published30 Sept 2026, 15:59 BSTUK4
- Published value updated to £1,600,00030 Sept 2026, 15:59 BSTwas £1,500,000
- Status changed to active30 Sept 2026, 15:59 BST
- Procurement method changed30 Sept 2026, 15:59 BST
- Deadline published: 18 Nov 2026, 12:00 GMT30 Sept 2026, 15:59 BST
Published amendments (2)
Correcting a typo.
Correcting CPV codes
Routine re-releases (4)
- 2026-02: 1 release · 23 Feb 2026
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Nothing awarded yet- Awards (0)
- No award published
- Contracts (0)
- No contract published
- Bid statistics
- No aggregate bid statistics published
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (4)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender