Competition with a shortlist
Competitive procedure with a selection stage: suppliers were shortlisted before being invited to bid.
Key facts
- Buyer
- City of London Academies Trust Catering Tender · Body governed by public law
- Supplier
- Aspens Services Ltd
- Value
- £2,650,000
- Procedure
- Restricted procedure
- Sector
- Hospitality & catering · School catering services (CPV 55524000)
- Region
- London
- Official notice
- 017339-2026 on Find a Tender
- Timeline
-
- Contract date23 Feb 2026
- Published26 Feb 2026Published 3 days after the contract date
Description
The City of London Academies Trust (COLAT) is a highly successful Trust operating ten primary and secondary academies in London. Out of these, five have in-house services, four are outsourced and one Sixth Form, which is set to open next year, currently has no catering service. The Trust has approximately 8,000 students, ranging from 6 to 18 years old, supported by a team of 1,000 teaching and support staff. The Trust is tendering their catering services across three Lots in a two stage tender process under the Light Touch Regime:• Lot One includes three primary academies: COLA Primary Islington, Redriff and Galleywall. Annual sales turnover is £513,716.• Lot Two has two secondary academies with family-style dining: COLA Shoreditch Park and The City Academy Hackney. Annual sales turnover is £1,089,685.• Lot Three consists of five secondary academies with counter service: COLA Highgate Hill, Highbury Grove, Islington, Newham Collegiate Sixth Form (opening a new café by September 2025) …
About the supplier
Aspens Services Ltd: every public contract they have won, plus their Companies House record (company 06561073).