002713 British Library Conservation, Bindery & Enclosures Framework
British Library · Central government
In brief
British Library awarded this contract to Farcroft Restorations Ltd, Max Communications Ltd and Downie Allison Downie Limited and 4 others on 31 March 2026.
It is a framework worth up to £1,800,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.
The contract runs for 1 year, up to 4 years with extensions, starting 1 April 2026.
It is split into 3 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.
The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.
What the notice says
Lots
| Lot | Trade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation of volumes covered in leather, cloth, buckram or paper as well as general paper conservation 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 What this lot coversPlease download and refer to the ITT for full description of the Lots. This lot includes the following treatments: -Dry cleaning -Aqueous treatment (flattening only) -Guarding, tipping in -Substrate repair, consolidation and lining -Hand sewing -Machine sewing -Covering material repair, consolidation oLeather oParchment/vellum oBuckram/book cloth oPaper -Reback (tight and hollow), board reattachment, recreating/replacing covers oLeather oParchment/vellum oBuckram/book cloth oPaper -Lettering -Pressure-sensitive tape/label removal -Staple removal -Slipping bolts -Insert original covers into a new binding -Re-casing of textblock in original covers | — | £1,260,000 |
| Rebinding and binding of unbound material, including lettering 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 What this lot coversDownload and review Tender documents for full details. Lot 2: Rebinding and binding of unbound material, including lettering This lot includes the following treatments: -Hand sewing -Machine sewing -Rebinding in the following styles oPamphlet oCase oSplit-board -New bindings for previously unbound material in the following styles: oPamphlet oCase oSplit-board oGuard-book oPost-binder oQuarter-flush cloth -Lettering -Insert original covers into a new binding | — | £360,000 |
| Buckram-covered enclosures for Library collections, including lettering 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 What this lot coversDownload and review Tender Document for full details. Lot 3: Buckram-covered enclosures for Library collections, including lettering This lot includes the following: -Drop-back boxes, made of permanent board, put together with EVA and covered in permanent buckram with permanent paper tray linings -Four-flap folders, made of permanent board, put together with EVA and covered in permanent buckram with permanent paper linings -Lettering | — | £180,000 |
Who won
| Winner | Lot | Value | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farcroft Restorations Ltd (SME) Max Communications Ltd (SME) Downie Allison Downie Limited (SME) RDW Book and Paper Conservation Limited (SME) The Bookends Bindery Ltd (SME) 5 bids received | Conservation of volumes covered in leather, cloth, buckram or paper as well as general paper conservation | £1,260,000 | Awarded 19 March 2026 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 |
| Farcroft Restorations Ltd (SME) Max Communications Ltd (SME) Downie Allison Downie Limited (SME) RDW Book and Paper Conservation Limited (SME) The Bookends Bindery Ltd (SME) Spink and Thackray (Leeds) Limited (SME) 6 bids received | Rebinding and binding of unbound material, including lettering | £360,000 | Awarded 19 March 2026 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 |
| Farcroft Restorations Ltd (SME) Max Communications Ltd (SME) Downie Allison Downie Limited (SME) RDW Book and Paper Conservation Limited (SME) The Bookends Bindery Ltd (SME) Spink and Thackray (Leeds) Limited (SME) Sycamore Bookbinding, Restoration & Paper Conservation Limited (SME) 7 bids received | Buckram-covered enclosures for Library collections, including lettering | £180,000 | Awarded 19 March 2026 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 |
Values as the award notice gives them, excluding VAT where stated.
Timeline
- Tender notice · UK4, notice 001016-2026
- Contract award notice · UK6, notice 025133-2026
- Contract details notice · UK7, notice 046534-2026
About the buyer
Procurements
82Awards
70Suppliers it has used most
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From notice 001016-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 7 January 2026, last updated 20 May 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.