Pantomime Procurement

{
  "id": "044575-2026",
  "tag": [
    "planningUpdate"
  ],
  "date": "2026-05-14T16:44:04+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0692b3",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PWBJ-9435-VXQQ",
    "name": "Reading Borough Council"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "25-S-206",
    "lots": [
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        "status": "planning",
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2029-10-01T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-10-01T00:00:00+01:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2031-10-01T23:59:59+01:00"
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
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        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UKJ11",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "92300000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Entertainment services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Pantomime Procurement",
    "value": {
      "currency": "GBP",
      "amountGross": 1155000
    },
    "status": "planning",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "The Hexagon, Reading's largest entertainment venue, delivers a wide-ranging and diverse programme of events throughout the year. The annual pantomime represents the most commercially significant and strategically important component of the venue's programme.\nIn 2022, a formal procurement process was undertaken to appoint Imagine Theatre as the pantomime production partner. This contract is now approaching its conclusion, with Aladdin (2026/27) being the final production under the current agreement, which ends in February 2027.\nTo ensure continuity of delivery, audience engagement, and timely marketing and production planning, The Hexagon must enter into a new pantomime production contract by Autumn 2026, enabling full preparation for the 2027/28 pantomime season.\nThe appointment of a pantomime production partner is a critical procurement for The Hexagon, given the pantomime's status as the venue's most commercially significant and strategically important annual event. A formal procurement process is required to ensure compliance with public sector procurement regulations, secure best value, promote fair competition, and mitigate financial and operational risk. Early market engagement and timely contract award are essential to enable sufficient lead-in time for creative development, casting, production planning, and marketing activity, all of which typically commence 12-18 months in advance of delivery.",
    "specialRegime": [
      "concession"
    ],
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PWBJ-9435-VXQQ",
      "name": "Reading Borough Council",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKJ11",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Reading",
        "postalCode": "RG1 2LU",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Bridge Street"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "https://www.reading.gov.uk/",
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PWBJ-9435-VXQQ",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "pchub@reading.gov.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "044575-2026",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044575-2026",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK2",
        "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
        "datePublished": "2026-05-14T16:44:04+01:00"
      }
    ],
    "milestones": [
      {
        "id": "engagement",
        "type": "engagement",
        "status": "scheduled",
        "dueDate": "2026-05-20T23:59:59+01:00",
        "description": "SOFT MARKET ENGAGEMENT NOTICE\nSeasonal Pantomime Production\nVenue: The Hexagon\nLocal Authority: Reading Borough Council\nEngagement Reference: SOFT MARKET ENGAGEMENT NOTICE\nIssue Date: 06/05/2026\nResponse Deadline: 20/05/2026\nPlease submit your responses by email to \neoi@reading.gov.uk\n________________________________________\n1. Purpose of this Engagement\nRBC is undertaking a Soft Market Engagement exercise in advance of a potential procurement process for the delivery of a seasonal pantomime at The Hexagon.\nThe purpose of this exercise is to:\n•\tUnderstand current market capacity and appetite\n•\tExplore viable commercial and contractual models\n•\tInform the proposed procurement route and specification\n•\tIdentify innovation, audience development and community engagement opportunities\nThis is not a call for competition and does not commit the Council to commence a procurement process.\n________________________________________\n2. Venue Overview\n•\tAuditorium capacity: 960\n•\tTypical performance run: 48 performances from Early Dec - Early Jan\n•\tAverage pantomime attendance: 35,000\n•\tTechnical specification summary: Please follow the link\nhttps://tinyurl.com/HexagonTechSpec\nThe Council is particularly interested in understanding how producers can support:\n•\tBox office growth\n•\tRisk mitigation\n•\tCommunity participation\n•\tAccessibility and inclusive programming\n________________________________________\n3. Engagement Format\nThe Council proposes:\n•\tWritten responses to this questionnaire\n•\tOptional 1:1 virtual engagement meetings (30-45 minutes)\n•\tPotential supplier engagement event (if appropriate)\nAll participating organisations will receive the same information to ensure transparency.\n________________________________________\nSupplier Response Questionnaire\n1. Organisation Overview\n•\tCompany name and registration details\n•\tYears trading\n•\tSummary of pantomime production experience\n•\tExperience in similar sized Local Authority venues.\n________________________________________\n2. Market Insight\nPlease outline:\n•\tCurrent trends in regional pantomime production\n•\tEmerging commercial models (guarantee, risk-share, hybrid)\n•\tTypical production budget ranges for venues of comparable scale\n•\tCasting strategies and impact on financial performance\n________________________________________\n3. Commercial Structures\nFor a venue of 960 please indicate:\n•\tPreferred financial model and rationale\n•\tTypical box office splits (if risk-share)\n•\tMinimum performance run to ensure viability\n•\tKey cost drivers affecting pricing\nIndicative figures are welcome at this stage (non-binding).\n________________________________________\n4. Creative & Audience Development\n•\tHow do you tailor pantomime scale to venue size?\n•\tWhat marketing assets do you typically provide?\n•\tStrategies for reaching new or underrepresented audiences\n•\tExamples of community or education engagement delivered\n________________________________________\n5. Risk & Delivery Considerations\n•\tKey risks in delivering pantomime in the current market\n•\tMitigation strategies\n•\tLead-in time required for casting and production build\n•\tTechnical or scheduling constraints the Council should consider\n________________________________________\n6. Innovation & Added Value\n•\tDigital integration (streaming, social media campaigns, influencer marketing)\n•\tEnvironmental sustainability practices\n•\tLocal employment / skills development opportunities\n________________________________________\n4. Confidentiality\nInformation provided will be used solely to inform procurement strategy. Commercially sensitive information will not be disclosed publicly.\n________________________________________\n5. Next Steps\nFollowing this engagement, the Council may:\n•\tRefine its delivery model\n•\tPublish a formal procurement notice\n•\tDecide not to proceed"
      }
    ]
  },
  "initiationType": "tender"
}

{
  "id": "041646-2026",
  "tag": [
    "planning"
  ],
  "date": "2026-05-06T20:30:57+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0692b3",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PWBJ-9435-VXQQ",
    "name": "Reading Borough Council"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "25-S-206",
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        "hasRenewal": true,
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          "endDate": "2029-10-01T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-10-01T00:00:00+01:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2031-10-01T23:59:59+01:00"
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    "items": [
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        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UKJ11",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "92300000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Entertainment services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Pantomime Procurement",
    "value": {
      "currency": "GBP",
      "amountGross": 1155000
    },
    "status": "planning",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "The Hexagon, Reading's largest entertainment venue, delivers a wide-ranging and diverse programme of events throughout the year. The annual pantomime represents the most commercially significant and strategically important component of the venue's programme. \nIn 2022, a formal procurement process was undertaken to appoint Imagine Theatre as the pantomime production partner. This contract is now approaching its conclusion, with Aladdin (2026/27) being the final production under the current agreement, which ends in February 2027. \nTo ensure continuity of delivery, audience engagement, and timely marketing and production planning, The Hexagon must enter into a new pantomime production contract by Autumn 2026, enabling full preparation for the 2027/28 pantomime season. \nThe appointment of a pantomime production partner is a critical procurement for The Hexagon, given the pantomime's status as the venue's most commercially significant and strategically important annual event. A formal procurement process is required to ensure compliance with public sector procurement regulations, secure best value, promote fair competition, and mitigate financial and operational risk. Early market engagement and timely contract award are essential to enable sufficient lead-in time for creative development, casting, production planning, and marketing activity, all of which typically commence 12-18 months in advance of delivery.",
    "specialRegime": [
      "concession"
    ],
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PWBJ-9435-VXQQ",
      "name": "Reading Borough Council",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKJ11",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Reading",
        "postalCode": "RG1 2LU",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Bridge Street"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "https://www.reading.gov.uk/",
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
          }
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      "identifier": {
        "id": "PWBJ-9435-VXQQ",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "pchub@reading.gov.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "041646-2026",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041646-2026",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK2",
        "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
        "datePublished": "2026-05-06T20:30:57+01:00"
      }
    ],
    "milestones": [
      {
        "id": "engagement",
        "type": "engagement",
        "status": "scheduled",
        "dueDate": "2026-05-20T23:59:59+01:00",
        "description": "SOFT MARKET ENGAGEMENT NOTICE\nSeasonal Pantomime Production\nVenue: The Hexagon\nLocal Authority: Reading Borough Council\nEngagement Reference: SOFT MARKET ENGAGEMENT NOTICE\nIssue Date: 06/05/2026\nResponse Deadline: 20/05/2026\n________________________________________\n1. Purpose of this Engagement\nRBC is undertaking a Soft Market Engagement exercise in advance of a potential procurement process for the delivery of a seasonal pantomime at The Hexagon.\nThe purpose of this exercise is to:\n•\tUnderstand current market capacity and appetite\n•\tExplore viable commercial and contractual models\n•\tInform the proposed procurement route and specification\n•\tIdentify innovation, audience development and community engagement opportunities\nThis is not a call for competition and does not commit the Council to commence a procurement process.\n________________________________________\n2. Venue Overview\n•\tAuditorium capacity: 960\n•\tTypical performance run: 48 performances from Early Dec - Early Jan\n•\tAverage pantomime attendance: 35,000\n•\tTechnical specification summary: Please follow the link \nhttps://tinyurl.com/HexagonTechSpec\nThe Council is particularly interested in understanding how producers can support:\n•\tBox office growth\n•\tRisk mitigation\n•\tCommunity participation\n•\tAccessibility and inclusive programming\n________________________________________\n3. Engagement Format\nThe Council proposes:\n•\tWritten responses to this questionnaire\n•\tOptional 1:1 virtual engagement meetings (30-45 minutes)\n•\tPotential supplier engagement event (if appropriate)\nAll participating organisations will receive the same information to ensure transparency.\n________________________________________\nSupplier Response Questionnaire\n1. Organisation Overview\n•\tCompany name and registration details\n•\tYears trading\n•\tSummary of pantomime production experience\n•\tExperience in similar sized Local Authority venues.\n________________________________________\n2. Market Insight\nPlease outline:\n•\tCurrent trends in regional pantomime production\n•\tEmerging commercial models (guarantee, risk-share, hybrid)\n•\tTypical production budget ranges for venues of comparable scale\n•\tCasting strategies and impact on financial performance\n________________________________________\n3. Commercial Structures\nFor a venue of 960 please indicate:\n•\tPreferred financial model and rationale\n•\tTypical box office splits (if risk-share)\n•\tMinimum performance run to ensure viability\n•\tKey cost drivers affecting pricing\nIndicative figures are welcome at this stage (non-binding).\n________________________________________\n4. Creative & Audience Development\n•\tHow do you tailor pantomime scale to venue size?\n•\tWhat marketing assets do you typically provide?\n•\tStrategies for reaching new or underrepresented audiences\n•\tExamples of community or education engagement delivered\n________________________________________\n5. Risk & Delivery Considerations\n•\tKey risks in delivering pantomime in the current market\n•\tMitigation strategies\n•\tLead-in time required for casting and production build\n•\tTechnical or scheduling constraints the Council should consider\n________________________________________\n6. Innovation & Added Value\n•\tDigital integration (streaming, social media campaigns, influencer marketing)\n•\tEnvironmental sustainability practices\n•\tLocal employment / skills development opportunities\n________________________________________\n4. Confidentiality\nInformation provided will be used solely to inform procurement strategy. Commercially sensitive information will not be disclosed publicly.\n________________________________________\n5. Next Steps\nFollowing this engagement, the Council may:\n•\tRefine its delivery model\n•\tPublish a formal procurement notice\n•\tDecide not to proceed"
      }
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  },
  "initiationType": "tender"
}