Reading Town Centre Historic Assessment

Reading Borough Council is commissioning a contract for a consultant to deliver a rapid historic area assessment, as part of the Reading High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) program. The aim is to underpin and support Reading Town Centre's local requirements by improving our understanding of and promoting Reading's historic environment. The project is being co-funded by Historic England grant.

The HSHAZ partnership, will bring together a series of activities and projects that will support the growth and development of the Town Centre through the best use of the town's heritage assets, including proactive actions that will support improved understanding and management There are a number of major assets and regeneration sites within the Town Centre, presenting a good opportunity to enhance and celebrate heritage value, and ensure that design of any new developments responds to historically significant elements of Reading's character.

In support of the Reading HSHAZ project, the successful contractor will carry out a level 2 (Rapid) Historic Area Assessment (HAA) and a review of Reading's town centre heritage. This will include, two conservation areas (St. Mary's Butts/Castle Street and Market Place/London Street Conservation Areas). The aim is to analyse the historic urban character areas, to identify their significance and highlight issues that have the potential to change their character. This will be an evidence base study of the character, significance and condition of the historic townscape fabric in Reading Town Centre, including two of the conservation areas that form the focus of the HSHAZ. A project GIS will be produced so that the results can be integrated with Reading's own GIS and The Berkshire Archaeology Historic Environment Record (HER) alongside a readily accessible report for use by planners and developers to inform decisions about the character and location of new development.

Any request for additional information/clarification must be made in writing only through the Council's e-tendering portal (In-Tend), quoting in the message heading the specific section and question for which you require information or clarification.

NOTE: You need to confirm your involvement (OPT IN) to be able to view the Selection Questionnaires and Form of Tender. Opt In gives access to the 'My Tender Return' area containing the questionnaires, the required document uploads and the 'Submit Return' button.

Additional information: Organisations interested in expressing an interest in this procurement should download the procurement documents which are available on the Council`s e-tendering system at: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc/aspx/Home and complete as instructed.

The Portal is free of charge - to register please follow the supplier registration guidance which is available on the Portal. Contractors wishing to be considered for this tendering opportunity must complete the tender documents and return them electronically via the Council`s e-tendering portal.

Please note: you must register your interest via the Council`s e-tendering portal if you intend to submit a tender. Interested parties must log onto the Council`s e-tendering portal at: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc, to express an interest and download the procurement documents. All communications regarding this procurement exercise will be conducted through the Council`s e-tendering portal including requests for clarifications or general enquiries. The procurement documents will be available for download up until the closing time and date for tender submissions, it is the organisations responsibility to ensure that they download the documents in ample time to ensure that they can be completed and returned electronically, along with supporting documents, prior to the closing time and date stipulated. Before completing the tender, potential providers/suppliers should ensure that the e-mail address that has been used to register their organisation will be checked regularly as the Council`s e-tendering system will generate automatic notifications to this e-mail address when there are updates, changes or messages sent relating to the project. Potential bidders should also check that their organisations details are correct and kept up to date.

Technical questions and assistance regarding the use and operation of the Portal should be addressed to the In-Tend Help Desk - e-mail: [email protected], telephone number +44 8442728810.