Exciting business opportunity as new Kirkwall nursery nears completion

Orkney Islands Council is offering an exciting business opportunity for those interested in running a new nursery service. 

The local authority is looking for operators to express an interest and complete the first stage of the tender to apply to run the new Kirkwall nursery service.  

The purpose-built nursery, situated next to Orkney College (UHI Orkney), is for up to 51 children for 0-5 years. The project has an anticipated completion date of mid-April 2025. 

The contract value or potential income of just over £6,452,000 is calculated on the basis of a possible 8-year contract duration (four years, with the option of four one-year extensions). 

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “Orkney has had no private or third sector nursery provider for some time now, so the Council made the decision to build a new nursery and offer up an exciting opportunity to the wider business community to run the service. 

“As the fantastic new building nears completion, we are keen to hear from operators interested in tendering to run the service. The shortage of childcare options in Orkney has been widely documented and this service will be key to filling that gap. We know that there are many parents/carers eagerly anticipating the opening of the nursery and the benefits that it will bring to the community. 

“I would encourage potential operators to get in touch with our procurement team to find out more or express an interest.” 

Further information is available from procurement@orkney.gov.uk.  An opportunity for contractors to register a note of interest and download the Single Procurement Document questionnaire for completion electronically as the first stage of the process via the Public Contracts Scotland advertising portal (available at the following link) View Notice - Public Contracts Scotland 

The deadline for submissions is 12noon Monday 21 April 2025.