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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Annual Festive Lights

Manchester City Council · Tender notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 30 Sept 2026, 00:23.

Opportunity overview

This procurement is for Design & Provision of Manchester's Christmas Lighting Scheme. The contract period will be for 5 years. It is intended for the contract to commence 07th November 2025. The procurement encompasses the following lots: Lot 1 - Core Lighting Scheme: The Supplier will be required to install and maintain energy-efficient LED Lighting in existing tree locations as identified in Appendix I. This lot also includes the provision of artistic high-quality motifs, fit with the city centre in existing column mounts, and the installation of artistic and dynamic displays in the existing fixing points on Deansgate and King Street as identified in Appendix I. Suppliers will be asked to provide a scheme based on gold, silver and bronze options for each specific location. The Bronze level package for an area will be at standard level provision, with options to upgrade the content to silver and gold. MCC and partners will select the appropriate scheme for each individual location - and seek private sector sponsorship to upgrade key areas in line with stakeholder ambitions. Lot 2 - Ground Level Feature Installations: The Supplier will be required to provide creative solutions to install up to 8 ground level feature installations within Manchester city centre. Lot 3 - New large Scale Santa Feature: The Supplier will be required to design, manufacture, install, derig, store and maintain a new iconic Santa feature for Manchester, each year across the term of the 5-year contract.

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.

MK ILLUMINATION (UK) LIMITED

Matched by number
Published award value
£757.8k
Awarded
14 Aug 2025
Award ID
1
Status
active
Identifier
GB-COH 04366174
Location
Blackburn, UKD41, BB2 2TS, United Kingdom

MK ILLUMINATION (UK) LIMITED

Matched by number
Published award value
£647.1k
Awarded
14 Aug 2025
Award ID
2
Status
active
Identifier
GB-COH 04366174
Location
Blackburn, UKD41, BB2 2TS, United Kingdom

BLACHERE ILLUMINATION UK LIMITED

Matched by number
Published award value
£450k
Awarded
14 Aug 2025
Award ID
3
Status
active
Identifier
GB-COH SC152939
Location
Glenrothes, UKM72, KY7 4PA, United Kingdom

Classification

  • CPV31522000 — Christmas tree lights
  • CPV79952000 — Event services

Lots

  • Core Lighting Scheme£850k
  • Ground Level Feature Installations£650k
  • New large scale Santa Feature£450k

Documents and notices

  • Contract details notice on Find a TenderOpen source ↗
  • Contract award notice on Find a TenderOpen source ↗
  • Tender notice on Find a TenderOpen source ↗
  • The Council is using the e-business portal known as the Chest. Applicants will need to register their details at the following link www.the-chest.org.uk . Once registered, applicants will be emailed a log-in and password which will allow them to gain access to the documentation relating to this opportunity. Applicants will need to electronically submit their completed tender documents, including procurement specific questionnaire, via the on-line portal by 11am on 19th May 2025 as referred to in tender documentation. Any clarification queries must also be submitted via the Chest website by the date referred to in the tender documentation.Open source ↗
  • Please find the link to the CHEST advert to register an interest for this opportunity and access the ITT documents.Open source ↗

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
P-0336
Status
complete
Has Recurrence
Yes
Above Threshold
Yes
Procurement Method
open
Main Procurement Category
services
How to submit
The Council is using the e-business portal known as the Chest. Applicants will need to register their details at the following link www.the-chest.org.uk . Once registered, applicants will be emailed a log-in and password which will allow them to gain access to the documentation relating to this opportunity. Applicants will need to electronically submit their completed tender documents, including the procurement specific questionnaire, via the on-line portal by 11am on 19th May 2025 as referred to in the tender documentation. Any clarification queries must also be submitted via the Chest website by the date referred to in the tender documentation.
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure

Covered By

GPA

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Recurrence

Dates

Entry 1
Starts
1 Mar 2030, 23:59

Expected award period

Ends
24 Jul 2025, 23:59

Tender Period

Ends
19 May 2025, 11:00

Enquiry period

Ends
12 May 2025, 11:00

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Core Lighting Scheme
Status
complete
Description
The Supplier will be required to install and maintain energy-efficient LED Lighting in existing tree locations as identified in Appendix I. This lot also includes the provision of artistic high-quality motifs, fit with the city centre in existing column mounts, and the installation of artistic and dynamic displays in the existing fixing points on Deansgate and King Street as identified in Appendix I. Supplier's will be asked to provide a scheme based on gold, silver and bronze options for each specific location The Bronze level package for an area will be at standard level provision, with options to upgrade the content to silver and gold. MCC and partners will select the appropriate scheme for each individual location - and seek private sector sponsorship to upgrade key areas in line with stakeholder ambitions.

Value

Amount
850,000
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
1,020,000

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
For the Quality Criterion suppliers will be scored on their responses to the relevant quality questions within the Tender Questionnaire. Suppliers must score at least a mean average score of 3 (i.e. Suppliers must score at least 36% out of the total 60% for the Quality Criterion) across the Quality criteria as a whole. Tenders that fail to meet this score threshold will not be considered further. The Council may also, at its discretion, exclude a tender that scores 0 or 1 on any individual criterion. Further details on the award criteria can be found within the procurement documentation.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
60
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Social Value
Type
quality
Description
Suppliers must self-certify that they and their subcontractors pay the Real Living Wage and do not operate zero hour contracts. Suppliers that fail to do this will be excluded and their tenders will not be considered further. For the Social Value Criterion suppliers will be scored on their responses to the relevant Social Value questions within the Tender Questionnaire. Further details on the award criteria can be found within the procurement documentation.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
20
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Name
Environment
Type
quality
Description
For the Environment Criterion suppliers will be scored on their responses to the relevant Environment questions within the Tender Questionnaire. Further details on the award criteria can be found within the procurement documentation.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 4
Name
Price
Type
price
Description
Suppliers are required to complete the Pricing Schedule within the procurement documentation for all lots they wish to tender for. The Price score will be calculated following the relevant methodology set out within the Award Criteria section of the ITT document. Suppliers that fail to complete and provide the Pricing Schedule, in full, for the relevant lot(s) applied for, will be excluded and their tenders will not be considered further.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
6 Nov 2030, 23:59
Starts
7 Nov 2025, 00:00

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
See procurement documents
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
See procurement documents
Entry 2
Id
2
Title
Ground Level Feature Installations
Status
complete
Description
The Supplier will be required to provide creative solutions to install up to 8 ground level feature installations within Manchester city centre.

Value

Amount
650,000
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
780,000

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
For the Quality Criterion suppliers will be scored on their responses to the relevant quality questions within the Tender Questionnaire. Suppliers must score at least a mean average score of 3 (i.e. Suppliers must score at least 36% out of the total 60% for the Quality Criterion) across the Quality criteria as a whole. Tenders that fail to meet this score threshold will not be considered further. The Council may also, at its discretion, exclude a tender that scores 0 or 1 on any individual criterion. Further details on the award criteria can be found within the procurement documentation.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
60
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Social Value
Type
quality
Description
Suppliers must self-certify that they and their subcontractors pay the Real Living Wage and do not operate zero hour contracts. Suppliers that fail to do this will be excluded and their tenders will not be considered further. For the Social Value Criterion suppliers will be scored on their responses to the relevant Social Value questions within the Tender Questionnaire. Further details on the award criteria can be found within the procurement documentation.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
20
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Name
Environment
Type
quality
Description
For the Environment Criterion suppliers will be scored on their responses to the relevant Environment questions within the Tender Questionnaire. Further details on the award criteria can be found within the procurement documentation.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 4
Name
Price
Type
price
Description
Suppliers are required to complete the Pricing Schedule within the procurement documentation for all lots they wish to tender for. The Price score will be calculated following the relevant methodology set out within the Award Criteria section of the ITT document. Suppliers that fail to complete and provide the Pricing Schedule, in full, for the relevant lot(s) applied for, will be excluded and their tenders will not be considered further.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
6 Nov 2030, 23:59
Starts
7 Nov 2025, 00:00

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
See procurement documents
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
See procurement documents
Entry 3
Id
3
Title
New large scale Santa Feature
Status
complete
Description
The Supplier will be required to design, manufacture, install, derig, store and maintain a new iconic Santa feature for Manchester, each year across the term of the 5-year contract

Value

Amount
450,000
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
540,000

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
For the Quality Criterion suppliers will be scored on their responses to the relevant quality questions within the Tender Questionnaire. Suppliers must score at least a mean average score of 3 (i.e. Suppliers must score at least 36% out of the total 60% for the Quality Criterion) across the Quality criteria as a whole. Tenders that fail to meet this score threshold will not be considered further. The Council may also, at its discretion, exclude a tender that scores 0 or 1 on any individual criterion. Further details on the award criteria can be found within the procurement documentation.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
60
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Social Value
Type
quality
Description
Suppliers must self-certify that they and their subcontractors pay the Real Living Wage and do not operate zero hour contracts. Suppliers that fail to do this will be excluded and their tenders will not be considered further. For the Social Value Criterion suppliers will be scored on their responses to the relevant Social Value questions within the Tender Questionnaire. Further details on the award criteria can be found within the procurement documentation.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
20
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Name
Environment
Type
quality
Description
For the Environment Criterion suppliers will be scored on their responses to the relevant Environment questions within the Tender Questionnaire. Further details on the award criteria can be found within the procurement documentation.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 4
Name
Price
Type
price
Description
Suppliers are required to complete the Pricing Schedule within the procurement documentation for all lots they wish to tender for. The Price score will be calculated following the relevant methodology set out within the Award Criteria section of the ITT document. Suppliers that fail to complete and provide the Pricing Schedule, in full, for the relevant lot(s) applied for, will be excluded and their tenders will not be considered further.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
6 Nov 2030, 23:59
Starts
7 Nov 2025, 00:00

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
See procurement documents
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
See procurement documents

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKD33
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
31522000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Christmas tree lights
Entry 2
Id
79952000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Event services
Item 2
Id
2
Related Lot
2

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKD33
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
31522000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Christmas tree lights
Entry 2
Id
79952000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Event services
Item 3
Id
3
Related Lot
3

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKD33
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
31522000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Christmas tree lights
Entry 2
Id
79952000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Event services

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Entry 2
Id
L-1
Url
www.the-chest.org.uk
Description
The Council is using the e-business portal known as the Chest. Applicants will need to register their details at the following link www.the-chest.org.uk . Once registered, applicants will be emailed a log-in and password which will allow them to gain access to the documentation relating to this opportunity. Applicants will need to electronically submit their completed tender documents, including procurement specific questionnaire, via the on-line portal by 11am on 19th May 2025 as referred to in tender documentation. Any clarification queries must also be submitted via the Chest website by the date referred to in the tender documentation.
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Entry 3
Id
L-2
Description
Please find the link to the CHEST advert to register an interest for this opportunity and access the ITT documents.
Document Type
technicalSpecifications
Entry 4
Id
016141-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
tenderNotice
Published
22 Apr 2025, 10:15

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-PPON-PLNV-8798-LDMP
Name
Manchester City Council

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKD33
Country
GB
Locality
Manchester
Postal Code
M60 2LA
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Town Hall Extension

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Description
Public authority - sub-central government

Identifier

Id
PLNV-8798-LDMP
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Organisation 2
Id
GB-COH-04366174
Name
MK ILLUMINATION (UK) LIMITED

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKD41
Country
GB
Locality
Blackburn
Postal Code
BB2 2TS
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Unit 1 Witton Business Park

Details

Vcse
No
Scale
sme
Sheltered Workshop
No
Public Service Mission Organization
No

Identifier

Id
04366174
Scheme
GB-COH

Contact

Additional Identifiers

Entry 1
Id
PMVR-9922-TGQM
Scheme
GB-PPON
Organisation 3
Id
GB-COH-SC152939
Name
BLACHERE ILLUMINATION UK LIMITED

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKM72
Country
GB
Locality
Glenrothes
Postal Code
KY7 4PA
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Unit O, Baird Road, Eastfield Industrial Estate

Details

Vcse
No
Scale
sme
Sheltered Workshop
No
Public Service Mission Organization
No

Identifier

Id
SC152939
Scheme
GB-COH

Contact

Additional Identifiers

Entry 1
Id
PLHL-6276-XGTN
Scheme
GB-PPON

Award information

Award 1
Id
1
Date
15 Aug 2025, 00:00
Title
Annual Festive Lights - Lot 1 Core Lighting Scheme
Status
active
Above Threshold
Yes
Main Procurement Category
services
Assessment Summaries Date Sent
15 Aug 2025, 00:00

Items

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKD33
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 2
Region
UKD33
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
31522000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Christmas tree lights
Entry 2
Id
79952000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Event services

Value

Amount
757,826.5
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
909,391.8

Documents

Entry 1
Id
049261-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK6
Description
Contract award notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
awardNotice
Published
15 Aug 2025, 16:20

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-COH-04366174
Name
MK ILLUMINATION (UK) LIMITED

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
1
Type
futureSignatureDate
Status
scheduled
Due
1 Sept 2025, 23:59

Related lots

1

Contract period

Ends
6 Nov 2030, 23:59
Starts
7 Nov 2025, 00:00

Standstill Period

Ends
27 Aug 2025, 23:59
Award 2
Id
2
Date
15 Aug 2025, 00:00
Title
Annual Festive Lights - Lot 2 Ground Level Feature Installations
Status
active
Above Threshold
Yes
Main Procurement Category
services
Assessment Summaries Date Sent
15 Aug 2025, 00:00

Items

Item 1
Id
2
Related Lot
2

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKD33
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 2
Region
UKD33
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
31522000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Christmas tree lights
Entry 2
Id
79952000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Event services

Value

Amount
647,144.1
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
776,572.92

Documents

Entry 1
Id
049261-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK6
Description
Contract award notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
awardNotice
Published
15 Aug 2025, 16:20

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-COH-04366174
Name
MK ILLUMINATION (UK) LIMITED

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
1
Type
futureSignatureDate
Status
scheduled
Due
1 Sept 2025, 23:59

Related lots

2

Contract period

Ends
6 Nov 2030, 23:59
Starts
7 Nov 2025, 00:00

Standstill Period

Ends
27 Aug 2025, 23:59
Award 3
Id
3
Date
15 Aug 2025, 00:00
Title
Annual Festive Lights - Lot 3 New large Scale Santa Feature
Status
active
Above Threshold
Yes
Main Procurement Category
services
Assessment Summaries Date Sent
15 Aug 2025, 00:00

Items

Item 1
Id
3
Related Lot
3

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKD33
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Entry 2
Region
UKD33
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
31522000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Christmas tree lights
Entry 2
Id
79952000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Event services

Value

Amount
449,950
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
539,940

Documents

Entry 1
Id
049261-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK6
Description
Contract award notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
awardNotice
Published
15 Aug 2025, 16:20

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-COH-SC152939
Name
BLACHERE ILLUMINATION UK LIMITED

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
1
Type
futureSignatureDate
Status
scheduled
Due
1 Sept 2025, 23:59

Related lots

3

Contract period

Ends
6 Nov 2030, 23:59
Starts
7 Nov 2025, 00:00

Standstill Period

Ends
27 Aug 2025, 23:59

Contracts and changes

Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Annual Festive Lights - Lot 1 Core Lighting Scheme
Status
active
Award ID
1
Date Signed
7 Oct 2025, 00:00
Above Threshold
Yes
No Agreed Metrics Rationale
The contract value is less than £5 million including VAT.

Value

Amount
757,826.5
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
909,391.8

Period

Ends
6 Nov 2030, 23:59
Starts
7 Nov 2025, 00:00

Documents

Entry 1
Id
070386-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK7
Description
Contract details notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
contractNotice
Published
3 Nov 2025, 11:40
Entry 2
Id
2
Title
Annual Festive Lights - Lot 2 Ground Level Feature Installations
Status
active
Award ID
2
Date Signed
7 Oct 2025, 00:00
Above Threshold
Yes
No Agreed Metrics Rationale
The contract value is less than £5 million including VAT.

Value

Amount
647,144.1
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
776,572.92

Period

Ends
6 Nov 2030, 23:59
Starts
7 Nov 2025, 00:00

Documents

Entry 1
Id
070386-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK7
Description
Contract details notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
contractNotice
Published
3 Nov 2025, 11:40
Entry 3
Id
3
Title
Annual Festive Lights - Lot 3 New Large Scale Santa Feature
Status
active
Award ID
3
Date Signed
2 Oct 2025, 00:00
Above Threshold
Yes
No Agreed Metrics Rationale
The contract value is less than £5 million including VAT.

Value

Amount
449,950
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
539,940

Period

Ends
6 Nov 2030, 23:59
Starts
7 Nov 2025, 00:00

Documents

Entry 1
Id
070386-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK7
Description
Contract details notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
contractNotice
Published
3 Nov 2025, 11:40

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Manchester · UKD33 · M60 2LA · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKD33 · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-050566-2025-11-03T11:40:29ZTender notice on Find a Tender ·