TenderOppsIndependent tender search
AwardedAwarded 6 July 2026

Temporary Hospitality, Catering and Events Staff for ACE

University Of Edinburgh · Education

In brief

University Of Edinburgh awarded recruitment work to Axis Recruitment Limited, Blue Arrow Ltd and Navolio Limited T/A Off To Work and 3 others on 6 July 2026.

It is split into 3 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

What the notice says

The University's Accommodation, Catering and Events (ACE) service operates a range of essential catering facilities that support students, staff, visitors and commercial activities across the University. To ensure continuity of these critical services, the University supplements its permanent workforce with temporary agency staff during periods of increased demand, seasonal peaks, planned events and where unforeseen staffing shortages arise. Agency workers are engaged only where the existing permanent workforce is insufficient to meet operational requirements, helping to maintain service continuity, customer experience and contractual commitments. The purpose of this procurement is to establish a Framework Agreement with suitably experienced staffing providers that have the capacity and capability to supply high-quality catering personnel at short notice, as and when required. The Framework value is indicative and non-committal. This project is looking to establish a new framework agreement with suppliers who have the resource and capacity to work with the University to provide catering staffing resources as and when required.

Lots

LotTradeValue
Hospitality and Events
What this lot covers

ACE operates across the city of Edinburgh. There are multiple venues and location across this wide geographical area, where agency staff will be required to attend for work. All locations may require staff at any one date and time. The volume and type of staff required will be dependent on business needs. Historical data highlights the roles where the highest volume of staff is required are: - Catering Assistants – estimate 15+ on very busy days; and - Plate Waiters/Silver Service Staff – estimate 50+ on very busy days. Please be aware that these figures are given in good faith but may not be representative of future demand.

Recruitment and staffing—
Domestic Services
What this lot covers

ACE operates across the city of Edinburgh. There are multiple venues and location across this wide geographical area, where agency staff will be required to attend for work. All locations may require staff at any one date and time. The volume and type of staff required will be dependent on business needs. Historical data highlights the roles where the highest volume of staff is required are: - Hotel Bedroom Attendants; - Hotel Public Area Cleaners - Student Property Domestic Cleaning Staff

Recruitment and staffing—
Kitchen Staff
What this lot covers

ACE operates across the city of Edinburgh. There are multiple venues and location across this wide geographical area, where agency staff will be required to attend for work. All locations may require staff at any one date and time. The volume and type of staff required will be dependent on business needs. Historical data highlights the roles where the highest volume of staff is required are: - Head Chef – Rare but maybe required for interim periods of up to 3 months; - Chef – estimate of up to 10+ on busier days; - Kitchen Assistants – estimate 15 + on very busy days; and - Kitchen Porter – estimate of up to 5+ on busier days. Please be aware that these figures are given in good faith but may not be representative of future demand.

Recruitment and staffing—

Who won

WinnerLotValueDates
Axis Recruitment Limited
Blue Arrow Ltd
Navolio Limited T/A Off To Work (SME)
9 bids received
Hospitality and Events£1,600,000
Blue Arrow Ltd
Reed Recruitment
Brightwork (SME)
13 bids received
Domestic Services£800,000
Search Consultancy Limited (SME)
Blue Arrow Ltd
Reed Recruitment
10 bids received
Kitchen Staff£1,200,000

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

Timeline

  1. Contract award notice · notice 068698-2026

About the buyer

University Of EdinburghLast 12 months

Procurements

85

Awards

63

Suppliers it has used most for recruitment

All tenders and awards from University Of Edinburgh

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From notice 068698-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 21 July 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.