Tenders

Invitation to Tender: Chester Place Brand

Chester is at a defining moment. Building on two decades of successful collaboration and investment, the city is now seeking to develop its first unified place brand. This ITQ invites confident, creative agencies to help articulate a bold, authentic narrative for Chester, one that honours its heritage, captures its contemporary energy, and positions the city for the future.

Project Overview

Chester is commissioning its first-ever place brand to create a clear, unified and future-facing identity for the city. Despite strong cultural, economic and heritage assets, Chester’s story is currently fragmented and underplayed. Funded collaboratively by Cheshire West and Chester Council, Chester Business Improvement District, the University of Chester, Grosvenor Group, Chester Zoo, Chester Racecourse, and Storyhouse, the project reflects a shared commitment to the city’s future.

Working across civic, cultural, business and education partners, the appointed agency will define what Chester stands for over the next 10–20 years and deliver a bold brand strategy, creative identity and activation framework that builds civic pride, attracts investment and visitors, and positions Chester confidently on the national and international stage.

Project Objectives

• Create a clear, unified and authentic place brand for Chester
• Define what Chester stands for and its long-term ambition (10–20 years)
• Strengthen Chester’s reputation as a place to live, visit, study and invest
• Support inward investment, business growth and job creation
• Build civic pride and shared ownership among residents, partners and young people
• Provide a strong narrative platform for Chester’s role within the wider Cheshire and Warrington economy

Project Timeline

The project is scheduled to conclude with the brand launch and activation plan in Autumn 2026, following agency appointment in February 2026 and brand development, testing and refinement through July 2026.

Submission Details

Agencies are invited to submit their tenders in response to the questions set out in this ITQ, supported by relevant case studies or materials as appendices (not scored separately). Submissions will be assessed against the published selection criteria and weighted scoring system.

Deadline for all submissions no later than 20th February 2026 23:59

Any questions or requests for clarification should be directed to:

Cristian Marcucci, Managing Director, Marketing Cheshire
Cristian.marcucci@cheshireandwarrington.com

Invitation to Tender: Cheshire and Warrington Investment Prospectus

Marketing Cheshire requires a specialist design agency to create a compelling investment prospectus for the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority (CWCA). The new organisation will be established in Spring 2026 as part of the Government’s commitment to devolution across England.

Project Overview

The prospectus will be launched at The Great North (TGN) Investment Summit on Monday 18 May 2026 in Leeds, part of the annual UK’s Real Estate, Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) and will position Cheshire and Warrington as one of the best investment propositions in the North, providing a unified and compelling resource that showcases the strength of the economy, key sectors, opportunities, and a detailed list of investment sites and propositions.

We have historically attended UKREiiF since its inception, representing our local authority partners, with our presence growing year on year through a dedicated stand presence and expanding fringe events and speakers.

With the new CA, this represents an opportunity to break the mould of previous years and offer a fresh tone, style and direction aligned with our devolution consultation work, the prospectus at the centre of the offer.

Project Objectives

• Create a primarily digital prospectus (microsite or interactive digital document) that serves as the cornerstone resource for CWCA and councils to support inward investment activity
• Launch the prospectus at The Great North Summit to maximize impact with mayors, leaders, Government officials, and select investors
• Develop supporting print versions for use at TGN Summit, UKREiiF, and future investment events
• Create accompanying marketing collateral to drive traffic to the digital version

Project Timeline

Critical Deadline: Content and design must be finalized by w/c 20th of April for printing and w/c 04 May for digital and launch at TGN Summit on 18 May 2026.

Submission Details

Deadline for submissions: 30th January (see page 3)
Submit proposals to: liam.hartzenberg@cheshireandwarrington.com

Questions and Clarifications: Please submit any questions by 28 January 2026 to liam.hartzenberg@cheshireandwarrington.com