De Montfort University Hot Food Tender Notice
Summary
De Montfort University has published a tender notice for a hot food service provider on its Leicester campus. The university is covering fixed costs like rent, rates, and utilities, and fully equipping the kitchen to reduce barriers for operators. The deadline for submissions is April 17.
What changed
De Montfort University has issued a tender notice (Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-025995) for a hot food service provider to operate within the Vijay Patel Building on its Leicester campus. The university aims to reduce entry barriers for operators by covering fixed costs such as rent, rates, and utilities, and by fully equipping the kitchen. This initiative is intended to provide accessible pricing and menu choices for students, particularly those sensitive to cost-of-living pressures.
Interested parties must submit their tenders by April 17. The notice outlines the scope of the service, including daily operations and catering for large groups, as well as award criteria and procedural information. The university expects the chosen operator to offer competitive pricing and a diverse menu to cater to the student demographic and staff on campus.
What to do next
- Review tender requirements and submission guidelines.
- Prepare and submit tender proposal by the April 17 deadline.
Source document (simplified)
Tender
267800 Catering - Hot Food
- DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY UK4: Tender notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types
Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-025995
Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0670d5
Published 20 March 2026, 6:01pm
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Contents
Scope Submission Award criteria Procedure Documents Contracting authority
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Description
DMU is seeking a well-priced hot food offer that plays a vital role in supporting students on campus, particularly at a time when cost-of-living pressures are having a real impact on daily choices.
The University has therefore taken a deliberate decision to remove the main financial barriers to entry for the operator. By covering fixed costs such as rent, rates, and utilities, and by fully equipping the kitchen, DMU is enabling a food business to trade successfully from day one with very limited capital investment required. The University expects to see this reflected in accessible pricing and menu choice which will result in strong participation during term time.
The typical student demographic on the Leicester campus consists largely of commuter and first-generation students, with a strong sensitivity to price and value. Academic and a core group of professional service staff work on campus throughout the week, with some professional services staff adopting a hybrid approach, with a minimum of two days per week on campus.
In addition to daily service, there is a requirement to cater for large groups of visitors, often as part of key recruitment activities and summer schools. The ability to serve large volumes of visitors in a small timeframe is key. For this, use of vouchers would be required along with a detailed breakdown of charges and an invoice sent to the University at the end of each month.
The hot food offer is located within the Vijay Patel Building, one of the busiest buildings on campus. At time of writing the space is due to undergo refurbishment however opens directly onto a large, integrated 1,000 sqm study and social space, which will include:
Comfortable, informal seating
More traditional sit-up and dine seating
Power for phones and laptops
Dedicated study areas
The dining area is not a separate food court and is fully integrated into this shared study/social environment, designed to drive maximum footfall. By bringing eating, studying, meeting as well as access to power for laptops/phones DMU expects to encourage students and staff to spend more time on campus throughout the day.
Total value (estimated)
- £0 including VAT Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2029
- Possible extension to 31 July 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
Up to 24 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
Food, beverages, tobacco and related products
Catering services
Tender submission deadline
17 April 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/demontfort/aspx/Home
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Please refer to the tender pack.
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Special regime
- Concession
- Light touch
Associated tender documents
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/demontfort/aspx/Home
DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY
- UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN number): 10001883 The Gateway
Leicester
LE1 9BH
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@dmu.ac.uk
Website: http://www.dmu.ac.uk
Region: UKF21 - Leicester
Organisation type: Public undertaking (commercial organisation subject to public authority oversight)
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