AwardedAwarded 15 May 2026

PP-10173 Co-op Academies Trust Catering

The Co-Operative Academies Trust · Public undertaking

In brief

The Co-Operative Academies Trust awarded food and drink and catering work to Cater Link Limited, Mellors Catering Services Limited and Miquill Catering Limited on 15 May 2026.

The notice gives a value of £31,930,000 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 3 years, up to 5 years with extensions, starting 1 September 2026.

It is split into 5 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

Co-op Academies Trust is a multi-academy trust with schools located in West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and Staffordshire. Their portfolio of schools includes around 38 academies across these areas, serving primary, secondary, and special schools, as well as a college of which 32 will be involved in this tender. The trust currently receives catering provision from the local authority as well as other privately owned incumbents. At the sole discretion of the Trust any future schools that the Trust may incorporate into the Trust will also be added to the contract. Any additional schools will co-terminate to the end same end date of the initial contract. The proposed contract…Read the full description
Co-op Academies Trust is a multi-academy trust with schools located in West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and Staffordshire. Their portfolio of schools includes around 38 academies across these areas, serving primary, secondary, and special schools, as well as a college of which 32 will be involved in this tender. The trust currently receives catering provision from the local authority as well as other privately owned incumbents. At the sole discretion of the Trust any future schools that the Trust may incorporate into the Trust will also be added to the contract. Any additional schools will co-terminate to the end same end date of the initial contract. The proposed contract will be for the outsourced provision of catering services to the Client. It is the Client’s expectation that the Successful Bidder shall be responsible for the operation of the catering function including employment and management of staff, supply of foodstuffs, consumables and light equipment where required and preparing and serving appropriate meals. The Supplier will also be expected to provide hospitality at certain school events both during and outside of school core hours. The Client will retain responsibility for payment of utilities and the operation and maintenance of core catering equipment and facilities. The Successful bidder will provide a range of good quality, nutritious, attractively presented meals for pupils and staff, that comply with Government’s minimum nutritional and food based standards for the educational sector. Meals should reflect growth in healthy eating trends and promote uptake. The Successful Bidder shall establish effective management and operational level communication systems at all levels regarding the catering service with customers that include; School management, parents, and pupils. In addition, the Successful Bidder will also be responsible for all legal and health and safety & food safety requirements in delivering the catering services. Further information on the Client’s requirements can be found in the tender package. The Contract period will be for 3 years initially, with the option to extend for two further one-year periods at the discretion of the Client. The Contract is split into Lots.

Lots

LotTradeValue
Lot 1 - Greater Manchester
1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
What this lot covers

Co op Academy Belle Vue Co op Academy Broadhurst Connell Co op College Co op Academy Manchester Co op Academy Medlock Co op Academy New Islington Co op Academy North Manchester Co op Academy Swinton

Catering, Food and drink supplies£12,000,000
Lot 2 - West Yorkshire 1
1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
What this lot covers

Co op Academy Beckfield Co op Academy Delius Co op Academy Parkland Co op Academy Penny Oaks Co op Academy Smithies Moor Co op Academy Princeville Co op Academy Southfield & Grange

Catering, Food and drink supplies£6,670,000
Lot 3 - West Yorkshire 2
1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
What this lot covers

Co op Academy Brierley Co op Academy Brownhill Co op Academy Nightingale Co op Academy Priesthorpe Co op Academy Woodlands

Catering, Food and drink supplies£4,775,000
Lot 4 - Staffordshire
1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
What this lot covers

Co op Academy Clarice Cliff Co op Academy Florence MacWilliams Co op Academy Friarswood Co op Academy Glebe Co op Academy Grove Co op Academy Hamilton Co op Academy Northwood Co op Academy Stoke on Trent

Catering, Food and drink supplies£7,100,000
Lot 5 - Merseyside
1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
What this lot covers

Co op Academy Hillside Co op Academy Portland Co op Academy Woodslee

Catering, Food and drink supplies£1,385,000

Who won

WinnerLotValueDates
Cater Link Limited
5 bids received
Lot 1 - Greater Manchester£13,579,654
Awarded 15 May 2026
Cater Link Limited
6 bids received
Lot 2 - West Yorkshire 1£5,536,728
Awarded 15 May 2026
Mellors Catering Services Limited (SME)
6 bids received
Lot 3 - West Yorkshire 2£4,790,500
Awarded 15 May 2026
Cater Link Limited
6 bids received
Lot 4 - Staffordshire£6,651,608
Awarded 15 May 2026
Miquill Catering Limited (SME)
7 bids received
Lot 5 - Merseyside£1,241,579
Awarded 15 May 2026

Values as the award notice gives them, excluding VAT where stated.

Timeline

  1. Tender notice · UK4, notice 073264-2025
  2. Contract award notice · UK6, notice 045387-2026

About the buyer

  1. S/WP - Food to Go

    Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustNorth WestFood and drink supplies

    Open11 days left3 lotsSuitable for SMEs

    £3.39mestimated
  2. Office Supplies (Stationery and Beverages)

    Great Places Housing GroupNorth West, Yorkshire and the HumberFood and drink supplies, Office supplies and equipment

    Open14 days leftSuitable for SMEs

    £221kestimated
  3. The Provision of Supply & Distribution of Various Foods for Adult Care Homes and Day Centres,

    Westmorland and Furness CouncilNorth WestFood and drink supplies

    Open23 days leftSuitable for SMEsFramework

    £2.24mframework ceiling
  4. Supply of Food Service- (Multiple Lots)

    Anchor Hanover GroupNorth East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South WestFood and drink supplies

    Open60 days left3 lotsSuitable for SMEs

    £88.4mestimated

From notice 073264-2025 on Find a Tender, first published 12 November 2025, last updated 18 May 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.