Marketing & Events Services for Blackpool Unlimited (MESBU) - Shared Prosperity Fund

About the buyer

Blackpool Council buys as a local authority through its corporate procurement team. Every tender is advertised on The Chest, the North West's e-tendering portal, where suppliers register free of charge. The estimated contract value sets the procurement route the council follows, under the Procurement Act 2023. Larger contracts are split into smaller lots so small and voluntary sector suppliers can compete equally. Supplier days are run to brief and train suppliers before they submit tenders. Healthcare services are commissioned separately under the Provider Selection Regime, with contracting activity summarised each year.

UK local government drives £140bn in annual procurement, led by social protection (£66.6bn) and education (£57.1bn).

Over the past 5 years, most of Blackpool Council's contract awards have been in construction work, repair and maintenance and health and social work.