The below-threshold open competition covers scaffold and access requirements for specialist stonework repairs to the landmark tower, with the contract estimated to run from 20 October 2026 until 31 October 2027.
The package is valued at £260,000 excluding VAT, or £312,000 including VAT, and is specifically classified as scaffolding work. Newcastle City Council has also identified the opportunity as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Access for historic Lantern Tower
The scaffold will support further conservation work to Newcastle Cathedral’s Lantern Tower, one of the city’s best-known historic structures.
The Grade I-listed cathedral dates from the early 14th century, while the 60m-high Lantern Tower was built in the 15th century and has dominated Newcastle’s skyline for centuries.
The latest procurement follows a longer programme of investigation and repair work on the tower. Newcastle Cathedral said in a July 2026 update that further conservation work remained necessary and that the project was being undertaken in collaboration with Newcastle City Council, specialist advisers Heritage Stone Access and structural engineer Charles Blackett-Ord.
The council, which is responsible for maintaining the tower, previously carried out urgent stonework repairs after condition surveys identified maintenance issues. Earlier investigations included high-level inspections and structural assessment to establish the condition of the historic fabric.
Tender closes in September
Companies interested in the scaffold package have until noon on 18 September to submit enquiries, with final tenders due by noon on 23 September. More info is available here
Bids will be assessed 60% on price and 40% on quality. Within the quality assessment, bidders will be judged on service delivery and quality assurance, experience and capability, collaboration and coordination, and social value, innovation and sustainability.
The procurement notice describes the requirement as scaffold and access provision for specialist lantern stonework repairs. The tender documentation and project requirements will determine the detailed scaffold configuration, loading requirements, and temporary works arrangements.
The contract is expected to last just over a year, reflecting the scale and specialist nature of the conservation programme around one of Newcastle’s most prominent historic structures.
