Kettering Town Council invites tenders from suitably capable event operators to plan, promote, manage and deliver an annual public soapbox racing event in Kettering town centre in 2027, 2028 and 2029. The Council is seeking a safe, professionally managed and visually engaging event that attracts participants and spectators, supports town-centre footfall and creates a distinctive annual experience for Kettering. The successful supplier will provide an end-to-end event management service. This will include event design and race operation; event planning and project management; participant recruitment, registration and race management; specialist race infrastructure; event safety, risk assessment and emergency planning; liaison in relation to traffic management, road closures and relevant permissions; marketing and audience development; and operational management and delivery of the event. The supplier will be expected to work collaboratively with Kettering Town Council and relevant local stakeholders, including North Northamptonshire Council, event safety partners, land and highway stakeholders and emergency services where required. The Council is also seeking an approach that considers accessibility, sustainability, community involvement and opportunities to support local businesses, organisations and traders where appropriate. The contract will cover three annual events in 2027, 2028 and 2029, with an indicative budget of approximately £40,000 excluding VAT per event, giving an indicative three-year contract value of approximately £120,000 excluding VAT. Tenderers are required to identify VAT treatment and clearly state all assumptions, exclusions and potential additional charges. Full details of the required services, Council and supplier responsibilities, minimum requirements, pricing schedule and evaluation methodology are contained within the Invitation to Tender.

Renewal: Option to extend for one further annual event in 2030, at Kettering Town Council's sole discretion.

Procurement Act 2023

Below threshold - open competition

Tender submissions must be made electronically in accordance with the requirements set out in the Invitation to Tender. The tender documents and full submission instructions are available at: https://www.ketteringtowncouncil.gov.uk/documents/2176303 Completed tenders must be submitted by email to [email protected] by 12 noon on Friday 23 October 2026. Tenderers are responsible for ensuring that their submission is received by the Council before the deadline. Late submissions may not be considered. Clarification questions must be submitted by 12 noon on Friday 9 October 2026 in accordance with the Invitation to Tender.

Invitation to Tender - Provision and Delivery of an Annual Town Centre Soapbox Racing Event 2027-2029. This document contains the full specification, supplier requirements, procurement timetable, submission requirements, pricing schedule and evaluation methodology.: https://www.ketteringtowncouncil.gov.uk/documents/2176303