Oxford Covered Market - Main Contractor Procurement

1. Introduction

The Council is seeking to engage with contractors and determine the procurement route to secure a main contractor to deliver the Oxford Covered Market masterplan.

The Covered Market ("the Market") has been at the heart of Oxford's city centre since its foundation in 1774. It has always been in public ownership, with Oxford City Council ("the Council) the freeholder and operator since the start of the 20th century. Its significance spans heritage, culture, and commerce, as one of only a handful of 18th century covered markets in England which has been continuously trading (bar any enforced pandemic closures). The Market celebrated its 250th Anniversary in 2024.

In February 2023 Oxford City Council Cabinet approved a heritage-led masterplan and its recommended programme of works. A full consultant team was subsequently appointed following a competitive tender process to deliver the masterplan. The team includes Gleeds Management Services Ltd as Project Managers and Contract Managers (including cost consultancy) and separately a Design Team led by Gort Scott Architects. RIBA Stage 2 works are now complete and in February 2025 further enhancements to the masterplan and additional funding was approved by Cabinet with Council approval to the revised budget. A copy of the report and masterplan are available on request.

2. Strategic Context

The Council's ambition is for Oxford to continue to be a city that is a world-leading centre of research, innovation and science and a thriving place for independent businesses. We will nurture strong, inclusive communities and be a welcoming and supportive place for people from all backgrounds to work, live and visit. In line with this, our aim is to support strong, fair and sustainable economy through this project. The Council's Corporate Priorities 2024-28 are to deliver;

Oxford plays a significant role in some of the world's most important economic sectors and technologies. Our aim is to support sustainable economic development, ensuring that our city remains an attractive and thriving place for everyone, whether they live, work, or visit here. The support for local businesses represented in the Covered Market to deliver supply chain social value can contribute directly to that agenda.

Achieving net zero will require a citywide effort, involving local and national government, businesses, institutions, and citizens. While Oxford City Council itself is responsible for around 1% of the city's emissions, it has the potential to influence up to 66% of all emissions in Oxford. We have set ambitious targets for ourselves to be a zero carbon council by 2030 and a net zero city by 2040, subject to external funding. The proposals aim to facilitate low and zero-emission movement to and from the Market and encourage local shopping and as well as improvements to the efficiency of the building fabric and utilities to support this agenda.

Any proposal should support the Council's Corporate Priorities and in the context of this brief principally to enable a strong, fair economy and carbon objectives. The form of contract will require you to demonstrate how these objectives can be supported.

3. Programme

RIBA Stage 3 works are in progress with a planning application programmed for later this year.

The programme assumes tender for the main contractor commencing late 2025 with a start on site early 2027. Completion excluding defects liability periods is estimated late 2028.