2223-0331 Garrett Street Affordable Workspace Project

Islington Council is inviting tenders from established, socially focused workspace or makerspace operators to take on the delivery and long-term management of a new Affordable Workspace/Makerspace. 10-14 Garrett Street is a historically significant Grade II listed former stables building. The opportunity includes a seven year peppercorn lease and Services Concession Contract, awarded in exchange for delivering affordable workspace provision and robust social value outcomes aligned with the Council’s priorities.

Operators have a unique opportunity include makerspace, creative facilities, creative industries, and crafts and provide space to deliver training, events and support to underrepresented local people into employment within the creative and making industries. It is envisaged that the building could support practical making businesses across various creative industries from woodwork to textile, metal work to ceramics.

This vision does not preclude the submission of innovative and high-quality bids for the workspace that also meet the council’s priorities.

Lots

This concession contract is not being divided into lots.

Further details will be provided in the invitation to tender.

Contract period

The duration will be 84 months from an estimated start date of 5th October 2026

with no option to extend.

Value of the contract

The estimated total value of this contract is £3,404,450 over the maximum 84 months. This is based on £486,350 per annum.

Award criteria (Selection Stage)

At the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) stage, the Authority will assess bidders against selection (award) criteria comprising exclusion grounds, conditions of participation (including economic and financial standing, and technical and professional ability), and project-specific minimum requirements. Assessment of these elements will be undertaken on a pass/fail basis. Bidders that fail to meet any mandatory requirement or provide insufficient information may be excluded from further participation in the procurement process.

Bidders that successfully pass the selection stage will be evaluated against project-specific selection questions using a scoring methodology on a scale of 0 to 5, as set out in the PSQ documentation. In order to be shortlisted, bidders must achieve a minimum score of 3 (meeting the Authority’s requirements) for each scored question. The Authority will invite to tender the six highest scoring bidders, or such greater number in the event of a tie at the cut-off point. Shortlisting will be based solely on the information provided in response to the PSQ.

Award criteria (Invitation to Tender Stage)

The contract will be awarded to the bidder submitting the Most Advantageous Tender, assessed on the basis of quality and price. Tenders will be evaluated using a total weighting of 100%, comprising 40% quality (method statements) and 60% commercial and social value considerations.

Bidders are required to respond to all elements of the ITT. Evaluation will be undertaken in accordance with the criteria set out below. Failure to complete mandatory elements, including the Social Value Matrix or Financial Model, may result in the tender being deemed non-compliant and excluded from further evaluation.