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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

St George's Guildhall & Creative Hubs Main Contractor

Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk · compiled

Tender information last checkedLast checked 29 Sept 2026, 19:37.

Opportunity overview

St George’s Guildhall in Kings Lynn is the largest surviving medieval Guildhall in the UK and the oldest theatrical space in the UK still in use, with performances occurring every century since the 1400s. The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, the National Trust and Norfolk Museums Service are working in partnership with the Town Deal Board to redevelop the site. Upon completion, it will be operated by the St George’s Guildhall and Creative Hub CIO, a charitable organisation established with the objective of preserving and conserving the historic Guildhall. The client is seeking a main contractor with: •considerable experience/ expertise in carrying out works on historic/ listed buildings, e.g. conservation packages •theatre/ performing arts project experience advantageous •National Trust/ English Heritage project experience advantageous •experience managing construction logistics in constrained sites. Construction works will include the following key packages: •concrete foundations & slabs •structural steelwork •structural carpentry •roofing – zinc sheet, clay pantile, corrugated steel •external walling – block/ brickwork •external walling – timber cladding •architectural metalwork •joinery •internal partitions & ceilings •internal finishes •internal doors •external windows & doors •curtain wall glazing •building services •theatre technical services including stage engineering •firestopping •sanitaryware •FFE •Signage •hard landscape & planting •asbestos removal works Contract terms to be JCT Standard Building Contract with Quantities

Awarded to

Amounts belong to published awards or contracts. Where several suppliers share one value, it is labelled as shared and is not a supplier-specific allocation.

Contract value
£20.3m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
29 Oct 2025
Award ID
074632-2025-1
Status
active
Identifier
07608158
Location
STAMFORD, UKF30, PE9 3PQ, United Kingdom

Classification

  • CPV45000000 — Construction work
  • CPVS45000000-IA40 — Renovation
  • CPVS45000000-IA41 — Restoration
  • CPV45212350 — Buildings of particular historical or architectural interest
  • CPV45453000 — Overhaul and refurbishment work
  • CPV45454000 — Restructuring work
  • CPV45454100 — Restoration work

Lots

  • The Guildhall site is managed by the Borough Council of Kings Lynn & West Norfolk (BCKLWN), also the client body for the refurbishment project, and owned by the National Trust. BCKLWN intend to procure the works via the Open Market. The works are to be procured via a two stage Restricted Procedure (Selection Questionnaire and Tender). The design will be completed up to RIBA Stage 4 with minor areas specified as Contractors Design Portion. The works are to be awarded to a single supplier. The successful contractor will work in conjunction with the Client/Design Team to discharge all planning/listed building consent conditions as part of the contract award whilst also undertaking the role as Principal Designer for the duration of their appointment. St. George’s Guildhall is a unique heritage asset with enormous potential to become a major visitor attraction and education resource, a landmark performance venue and a vibrant campus for culture, creativity, and local enterprise. As the largest surviving medieval Guildhall in the UK, the refurbishment project gives the opportunity to restore the historic and theatrical potency of this unique space. The ambition for the Guildhall site is to be a thriving heritage attraction by day, helping to tell the story of medieval Guilds in King’s Lynn and beyond, and the theatrical history of the site including likely performances by Shakespeare and Robert Armin. The site will cater for self-directed visitors, guided tours and educational groups with a varied programme of events, workshops and festivals. By night, the main Guildhall becomes an intimate and distinctive performance space for drama, spoken word, comedy, music and more for audiences of over 300 people, as well as other private hire events. The Undercroft, Fermoy Gallery and White Barn can be used for exhibitions, workshops and performances for more informal shows such as comedy, cabaret, band nights, open-mic or stand-up events. The Creative Hub aims to establish a flourishing community of local creative enterprises, craftspeople, artists, makers and start-ups housed in a range of re-purposed historic warehouses and barns, stretching from King Street to the Great Ouse. The refurbished White Barn has the potential to become a nationally recognised gallery space for touring exhibitions as well as local shows. A new foyer at the heart of the site in the north range and Red Barn contains a cafe bar to animate the whole site by day and night. The Riverside restaurant is retained and refurbished with new level access. The entire site aims to be an exemplar of sustainable heritage redevelopment and regenerative design with landscaped courtyards, biodiverse gardens and low-carbon building service systems. The project has approved Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent. Details of the applications can be found at: https://online.west-norfolk.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage.£14m

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
BCKLWN337
Status
complete
Has Recurrence
No
Procurement Method
selective
Main Procurement Category
works
Procurement Method Details
Restricted procedure

Covered By

GPA

Legal basis

Id
32014L0024
Scheme
CELEX

Second Stage

Invitation Date
21 Feb 2025, 00:00

Tender Period

Ends
11 Nov 2024, 12:00

Communication

Future Notice Date
11 Oct 2024, 00:00

Classification

Id
45000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Construction work

Submission terms

Languages

en

Bid Validity Period

Duration In Days
90

Submission Method

electronicSubmission
written

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
45000000-IA41
Scheme
CPVS
Description
Restoration
Entry 2
Id
45000000-IA40
Scheme
CPVS
Description
Renovation

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
cancelled
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
No
Description
The Guildhall site is managed by the Borough Council of Kings Lynn & West Norfolk (BCKLWN), also the client body for the refurbishment project, and owned by the National Trust. BCKLWN intend to procure the works via the Open Market. The works are to be procured via a two stage Restricted Procedure (Selection Questionnaire and Tender). The design will be completed up to RIBA Stage 4 with minor areas specified as Contractors Design Portion. The works are to be awarded to a single supplier. The successful contractor will work in conjunction with the Client/Design Team to discharge all planning/listed building consent conditions as part of the contract award whilst also undertaking the role as Principal Designer for the duration of their appointment. St. George’s Guildhall is a unique heritage asset with enormous potential to become a major visitor attraction and education resource, a landmark performance venue and a vibrant campus for culture, creativity, and local enterprise. As the largest surviving medieval Guildhall in the UK, the refurbishment project gives the opportunity to restore the historic and theatrical potency of this unique space. The ambition for the Guildhall site is to be a thriving heritage attraction by day, helping to tell the story of medieval Guilds in King’s Lynn and beyond, and the theatrical history of the site including likely performances by Shakespeare and Robert Armin. The site will cater for self-directed visitors, guided tours and educational groups with a varied programme of events, workshops and festivals. By night, the main Guildhall becomes an intimate and distinctive performance space for drama, spoken word, comedy, music and more for audiences of over 300 people, as well as other private hire events. The Undercroft, Fermoy Gallery and White Barn can be used for exhibitions, workshops and performances for more informal shows such as comedy, cabaret, band nights, open-mic or stand-up events. The Creative Hub aims to establish a flourishing community of local creative enterprises, craftspeople, artists, makers and start-ups housed in a range of re-purposed historic warehouses and barns, stretching from King Street to the Great Ouse. The refurbished White Barn has the potential to become a nationally recognised gallery space for touring exhibitions as well as local shows. A new foyer at the heart of the site in the north range and Red Barn contains a cafe bar to animate the whole site by day and night. The Riverside restaurant is retained and refurbished with new level access. The entire site aims to be an exemplar of sustainable heritage redevelopment and regenerative design with landscaped courtyards, biodiverse gardens and low-carbon building service systems. The project has approved Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent. Details of the applications can be found at: https://online.west-norfolk.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage.

Value

Amount
14,000,000
Currency
GBP

Second Stage

Maximum Candidates
6
Minimum Candidates
5

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
60
Criterion 2
Name
Price
Type
cost
Description
40

Contract period

Ends
29 Jan 2027, 23:59
Starts
18 Jul 2025, 00:00

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery Location

Description
North and West Norfolk

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKH16
Entry 2
Region
UKH16
Entry 3
Region
UKH16
Entry 4
Region
UKH16

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
45212350
Scheme
CPV
Description
Buildings of particular historical or architectural interest
Entry 2
Id
45453000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Overhaul and refurbishment work
Entry 3
Id
45454000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Restructuring work
Entry 4
Id
45454100
Scheme
CPV
Description
Restoration work

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-FTS-91830
Name
Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk

Roles

reviewBody

Address

Region
UKH16
Locality
King's Lynn
Postal Code
PE30 1EX
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
King's Court, Chapel Street

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
REGIONAL_AUTHORITY
Scheme
TED_CA_TYPE
Description
Regional or local authority
Entry 2
Id
01
Scheme
COFOG
Description
General public services

Identifier

Legal Name
Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk

Contact

Name
Jane Mitchell
Telephone
+44 1553616200
Organisation 2
Id
GB-FTS-13027
Name
Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKH16
Locality
King's Lynn
Postal Code
PE30 1EX
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Kings Court, Chapel Street

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
REGIONAL_AUTHORITY
Scheme
TED_CA_TYPE
Description
Regional or local authority
Entry 2
Id
01
Scheme
COFOG
Description
General public services

Identifier

Legal Name
Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk

Contact

Name
Jane Mitchell
Telephone
+44 155361200
Organisation 3
Id
GB-FTS-166801
Name
Messenger Construction Ltd

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKF30
Locality
STAMFORD
Postal Code
PE9 3PQ
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Collyweston Heritage Centre, Main Road, Collyweston

Details

Scale
sme

Identifier

Id
07608158
Legal Name
Messenger Construction Ltd

Award information

Award 1
Id
074632-2025-1
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-166801
Name
Messenger Construction Ltd

Related lots

1

Contracts and changes

Entry 1
Id
074632-2025-1
Status
active
Award ID
074632-2025-1
Date Signed
29 Oct 2025, 00:00

Value

Amount
20,327,463
Currency
GBP

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · King's Lynn · UKH16 · PE30 1EX · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKH16

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-0491d6-2025-11-18T10:05:18Zcompiled ·