Tender: Delivery and Long-Term Management of Affordable Makerspace at 10–14 Garrett Street, Islington

About

Islington Council is seeking an established, socially focused workspace or makerspace operator to deliver and manage a new affordable workspace and makerspace at 10–14 Garrett Street, a historically significant Grade II listed former stables building. The opportunity includes a seven-year peppercorn lease and a Services Concession Contract awarded in exchange for providing affordable workspace and robust social value outcomes aligned with the Council's priorities, with space envisaged for makers, creative facilities and practical making businesses (from woodwork and textiles to metalwork and ceramics) and for delivering training, events and support to underrepresented local people into employment in the creative and making industries. The concession contract is not divided into lots; the contract period is 84 months from an estimated start date of 5 October 2026 with no option to extend, and the estimated total value is £3,404,450 (£486,350 per annum). Selection at PSQ stage is pass/fail for exclusions, economic/financial standing and technical ability, with shortlisted bidders needing a minimum score of 3/5 on scored questions and the Authority inviting the six highest scoring bidders (or more in the event of a tie). The award at ITT stage will be to the Most Advantageous Tender on quality (40%) and commercial and social value (60%), and bidders must complete mandatory elements including the Social Value Matrix and Financial Model or risk exclusion.