National Christmas Tree Sales Concessions

Descriptions

Forestry England is looking to work with concessionaires to deliver Christmas trees sales at selected forest centres across the country. These sites are well-established and popular with visitors. Selling Christmas trees is not a new venture for us and we have built a loyal customer base over many years, either through direct sales or by working with trusted partners.

At some sites where we have previously sold trees ourselves, we are now exploring opportunities to work with concessionaires. In addition, some of our current concession agreements are coming to an end, and we will be re-tendering those opportunities.

This early market engagement exercise is intended to help us understand concessionaire interest and gather feedback ahead of a formal procurement process.

Through this engagement, we aim to:

Gauge concessionaire interest in the opportunity and identify which sites are of interest.

Raise awareness of the upcoming procurement and invite concessionaires to speak with us, visit the sites, and potentially observe Christmas tree sales in action.

Understand what financial arrangements concessionaires might propose, such as a percentage of turnover.

Provide a space for open discussion and answer any questions concessionaires may have.

About the Opportunity

Forestry England is the largest land manager in England and part of the Forestry Commission. We care for the nation's forests, helping people connect with nature, supporting wildlife, and enabling sustainable business.

We would like to award a seasonal sales agreement for Christmas tree sales at multiple sites. Existing Christmas tree sales sites are listed in the table below, where we'd like to continue this activity. We are also open to discussions about other Forestry England sites that could host Christmas tree sales, including locations that haven't previously offered this opportunity.

The contract will be divided into lots, allowing concessionaires to bid for one or multiple lots. The proposed contract duration is up to 5 years, structured as 2+2+1 years with review points.

We require that the trees, and any wood-based products, sold are sourced legally and sustainably in line with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) / PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) and FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade).

The concessionaire should provide Pine, Fir and Spruce species.

The total estimated value of this seasonal sales agreement, across all sites, over the entire period, including any extension will be in the region of £2.2 million.

Sales Sites:

Lot 1

Cannock Chase - Central District

Estimated 5-year Value - £575,000

Number of Trees Sold - 2024 - 2,060, 2023 - 2,455, 2022 - 3,016

Lot 2

Salcey Forest - Central District

Estimated 5-year Value - £139,000

New requirement, no current sales data available, value based on estimates

Lot 3

Alice Holt Forest Park - South District

Estimated 5-year Value - £404,000

Number of Trees Sold - 2024 - 1,449, 2023 - 1,931, 2022 - 2,050

Lot 4

New Park - South District

Estimated 5-year Value - £220,000

Number of Trees Sold - 2024 - 790, 2023 - 791, 2022 - 737

Lot 5

Whinlatter - North District

Estimated 5-year Value - £293,000

Number of Trees Sold - 2024 - 1,049, 2023 - 1,091, 2022 - 1,052

Lot 6

Hamsterley - North District

Estimated 5-year Value - £103,000

Number of Trees Sold - 2024 - 369, 2023 - 295, 2022 - 386

Lot 7

Dalby Forest - Yorkshire District

Estimated 5-year Value - £101,000

Number of Trees Sold - 2024 - 363, 2023 - 293, 2022 - 376

Lot 8

Haldon Forest Park - West District

Estimated 5-year Value - £342,000

Number of Trees Sold - 2024 - 1,226, 2023 - 1,366, 2022 - 1,387

We welcome interest from concessionaires of all sizes and encourage early conversations to help shape the future procurement. If you would like to learn more, express interest, or arrange a site visit, please get in touch.