Open tenders / Catering & food
Open tender · Notice 102291-2026
Staffordshire University Academies Trust - Catering Services Tender
- Value
- £3.1m
- Closes
- 4 Dec 2026 (26 days)
- Where
- West Midlands
- Lots
- 1
- Suitable for SMEs
- Yes, says the buyer
- Contract
- 1 Aug 2027 – 31 Jul 2030
In plain English
Staffordshire University Academies Trust wants a catering provider for its schools in the West Midlands, covering breakfast, morning break, lunch, hospitality and free issue requirements. The contract runs for three years from 1 August 2027, with an option to extend by up to two more years, and is estimated at £3,080,400; bids are due by 4 December 2026.
Good fit for: Established school or contract caterers able to run catering across several schools and take on existing kitchen staff.
- Existing catering staff transfer to you under TUPE
TUPE regulations apply to this contract, which involves the transfer of existing catering staff
- Pension arrangements needed (Local Government Pension Scheme)
requiring arrangements to be made for 'Admitted Body' status with the relevant pension fund
- Two-stage process starting with a supplier questionnaire
all catering services presently offered within the Schools outlined in the PSQ document
Written with AI from the official notice. Check the notice before relying on it.
What the buyer says
Staffordshire University Academies Trust was formed in 2011. The Trust set itself four core objectives, in order to equip their pupils with outcomes and real-life skills that prepare them for the digital world whilst giving them the resilience to adapt to their circumstances and lived experiences. The Trust are seeking Catering service providers to tender for the provision of all catering services presently offered within the Schools outlined in the PSQ document, including breakfast, morning break, lunch and all hospitality and free issue requirements. The contract will be for three years in duration, with the option to extend for a further one period of up to two years and with a commencement date of 01 August 2027. Full details will be included in the Invitation to Tender. TUPE regulations apply to this contract, which involves the transfer of existing catering staff, of which some may be members of the Local Government Pension Scheme, requiring arrangements to be made for 'Admitted Body' status with the relevant pension fund. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://invictus-inport.com/tenders/UK-UK-Stoke-On-Trent:-School-catering-services./478GSU3AB4 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://invictus-inport.com/respond/478GSU3AB4
Getting the documents
invictus-inport.com (linked from the notice).
Procedure: Competitive flexible procedure (Flexible: the buyer sets the stages, often a shortlist first, then bids). Published 28 Oct 2026.
What similar contracts went for
Similar contracts went for £1.2m to £13.6m (8 since 2026; 2 won by small firms).
| Contract | Won by | Value | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Howard Academies Trust ~ Catering Tender The Howard Academies Trust | Olive Dining Ltd SME | £7.7m | 8 Jul |
| Catering Services Contract for Pontefract Academies Trust Pontefract Academies Trust | Taylor Shaw Limited | £10.5m | 18 May |
| PP-10173 Co-op Academies Trust Catering Lot 4 Staffordshire The Co-Operative Academies Trust | Cater Link Limited | £6.7m | 15 May |
| PP-10173 Co-op Academies Trust Catering Lot 3 West Yorkshire 2 The Co-Operative Academies Trust | Mellors Catering Services Limited | £4.8m | 15 May |
| PP-10173 Co-op Academies Trust Catering Lot 2 West Yorkshire 1 The Co-Operative Academies Trust | Cater Link Limited | £5.5m | 15 May |
| PP-10173 Co-op Academies Trust Catering Lot 5 Merseyside The Co-Operative Academies Trust | Miquill Catering Limited SME | £1.2m | 15 May |
| PP-10173 Co-op Academies Trust Catering Lot 1 Greater Manchester The Co-Operative Academies Trust | Cater Link Limited | £13.6m | 15 May |
| Catering Services Contract for Coombe Academies Trust Coombe Academy Trust | Accent Catering Services Limited | £8m | 11 May |
From the award notices on Find a Tender and Public Contracts Scotland. Values are as each notice states them and cover the contract's whole term: most notices give the value before VAT, but about one in seven gives only a figure including VAT. AI picked these as the same kind of work and can be wrong, so check what each one included before you price.
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