The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking approval to award Bidder A the contract to produce The Hexagon pantomime from 2022 for three annual pantomimes.

The report noted that the pantomime was an extremely popular fixture in the annual calendar at the Hexagon and welcomed over 35,000 people a year from across the region, including families and schools.  A production company would be required to deliver the annual pantomime from 2022 onwards as the current contract expired in 2021.  Award of a new contract well in advance of the first production under the terms of the new agreement was necessary to enable discussions and decisions regarding a number of elements of the production (including title, casting and ticket prices) and allow for tickets to be released for sale during the 2021 pantomime run.

The report summarised the procurement process that had been carried out and set out a proposal to award the contract for the annual seasonal Pantomime provision at the Hexagon to Bidder A to produce the Pantomime for three seasons, with the option to extend for a further two seasons.

In considering the report and recommendation the Committee took into account the additional information on the evaluation and financial detail of the successful bid which was set out in a report to be considered in closed session (Minute 60 below refers).

Resolved –

That the award of contract to Bidder A to produce the annual pantomime at The Hexagon for the next three seasons from 2022, with the option to extend for another two seasons, be approved.