Published date: 10 February 2025

Awarded contract - This means that the contract has been awarded to a supplier.


Closing: 23 January 2025, 9:30am

Contract summary

Industry

  • Social research services - 79315000

Location of contract

SN2 2EH

Value of contract

£0 to £35,000

Procurement reference

IT-514-369-P/REF 00000369 - AWARD

Published date

10 February 2025

Closing date

23 January 2025

Closing time

9:30am

Contract start date

5 February 2025

Contract end date

31 March 2025

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

Description

The aim of this follow-on research is to offer guidance and encouragement to investors interested in taking on unused or under-used historic buildings with a view to converting them for use by creative businesses, which form one of the key growth sectors in the UK economy and which are therefore likely to be expanding in the next few years.

The objectives can be expressed in terms of three questions:
1. How and to what extent have historic buildings added value to creative businesses?
This would involve analysis of creative uses such as the Custard Factory in Digbeth, the Hat Factory in Luton, Hotwalls in Portsmouth and the Biscuit Factory in Ouseburn, highlighting both the contribution made to the success of these places by their historic character and the value derived from it. Substantive case studies are not required here but will instead be commissioned separately.

2. Where in England do the favourable circumstances combine to suggest that creative businesses could be attracted to locate there when growing?

In a similar way as done for the north of England by GC Insight, this section would look at where the non-heritage vital ingredients for creative businesses overlap with heritage opportunity areas such that, with appropriate planning policies and financing models, these localities would make good nurseries for growing creative businesses. It would also highlight opportunities for heritage attractions to serve not as premises for creative businesses but as anchor sites - as footfall generators or showcases/outlets for the products of neighbouring creative businesses.

3. In favourable localities, what help might commercial developers, building preservation trusts and community development trusts need to bring to the market sustainable, inspiring and affordable historic premises attractive to creative businesses looking to expand?

This section would adapt the recent 'Heritage Works for Housing' guidance to take into account the particular demands of creative businesses, such as flexible layouts, playful design, gigabit digital connectivity, communal areas, individual maker spaces and 'third spaces'.

Award information

Awarded date

27 January 2025

Contract start date

5 February 2025

Contract end date

31 March 2025

Total value of contract

£29,959

This contract was awarded to 1 supplier.

Harlow Consulting Services Limited

Address

Suite 18, United Kingdom, HG3 1RY

Reference

None

About the buyer

Contact name

Procurement HE

Address

Firefly Avenue
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN2 2EH
United Kingdom

Telephone

0370 333 0607

Email

procurement-he@historicengland.org.uk