Construction of new production and education facility and refurbishment of listed buildings at Leach Pottery, St Ives

Over the next three years the Leach Pottery will undertake a major expansion and redevelopment which includes the construction of a new environmentally sustainable learning centre and production studio.

The existing museum and gallery shop will be re-imagined and updated and there will be a new central entrance surrounded by a landscaped courtyard where visitors will be able to sit take refreshments and watch potters at work.

The works consist of:

• The demolition of the existing education building and the construction of a new 500sqm education and production facility targeting net zero carbon in operation.
• The refurbishment and repairs to the Grade 2 listed Pottery Cottage and Museum buildings which house the original Bernard Leach Studio, workshops and kiln room.
• The remodelling and refurbishment of the 2008 Production facility into an extension of the existing museum and exhibition space.

The project is funded by Town Deal and National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The works will be procured under a Traditional Route utilising a two-stage procedure. The first stage tender will be contracted using the JCT Pre-Construction Services Agreement 2016 and the main contract using the JCT Standard Building Contract 2016.

The first stage will invite the successful tenderer to provide advice on buildability, programme, sequencing and supply chain viability. It will also incorporate an enabling works package to execute sewer diversions, surface water drainage installation, gas meter relocation and the construction of temporary structures to protect the ongoing production operations at the pottery.

The tenderers are advised that the site will remain active throughout the contract works with production operations, shop and education expected to continue throughout the construction works. A phasing plan has been included within the tender documentation to demonstrate how this may be achieved.

Tenderers will return prices on the basis of the RIBA Stage 3 design information while the RIBA Stage 4 detailed design is in progress. You will be expected to confirm and fix your preliminaries and Overheads and Profit percentage as part of the first stage submission.

The successful tenderer will work with the project team through the remainder of the stage 4 process to develop a detailed design and construction phase plan which can be fully costed with input from the supply chain. A fixed price for the Works will be confirmed during the Second stage.

Tenderers can apply via the Find a Tender Service at the following reference: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025168-2023

All details and documents can be dowloaded from the above location and full instructions are provided within the documentation provided.

Government spending data: This supplier has received £2,206,615 in 14 payments (over £25k) from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (2025-03-27 to 2026-03-26). View full payment history →

Tender Documents

• Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder → — Tender notice
• Tender notice →
• Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder → — Award notice