EBC 471 - Erewash Car Parks Resurfacing and Footpaths Repair Scheme
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
Don't just think about resurfacing
When you look at this tender, it's easy to focus on the obvious—resurfacing car parks and repairing footpaths.
But Erewash Borough Council isn't just looking for basic maintenance.
They're looking to extend the operational lifespan of their core assets.
That's a different mindset altogether.
The contract covers resurfacing and repair work within the borough's car parks and footpaths, forming part of a broader Planned Preventative Maintenance framework.
Think about the people using these spaces
The end users are the local community—residents, visitors and business owners who rely on well-maintained public spaces.
They need safe, accessible and durable surfaces.
If I were writing this tender, I'd focus on how your work will improve the daily experience for these people.
After all, it's about making life better for the community.
Pay attention to what they say
The Council makes it clear that this project is part of their commitment to high-quality public realms.
They want proactive engineering works.
That means they're not just patching things up—they're investing in longevity.
Your submission should reflect this focus on long-term quality.
Evidence always beats promises
One thing I noticed when I worked in the public sector was that bidders often made grand claims without backing them up.
If you have evidence of past successes, use it.
- Case studies of similar projects
- References from previous clients
- Quality assurance processes
- Testimonials from satisfied customers
Evidence shows you can deliver what you promise.
Remember, it's about more than just asphalt
Yes, the contract is about resurfacing and repairs.
But it's also about planning, managing and executing the work efficiently.
The Council will want to know how you'll schedule the work to minimise disruption.
How you'll communicate with local stakeholders.
And most importantly, how you'll ensure the work is completed on time and to the required standard.
Show how you'll make life easier for the Council
Every contract creates work for the client.
The best contractors reduce that workload.
Explain how your project management processes will make life easier for the Council's officers.
Think about reporting, progress updates and how you'll handle any issues that arise.
One thing I'd keep reminding myself
This isn't just a construction contract.
It's a community service.
Every decision you make—every plan you put forward—should be tested against this question:
"How does this benefit the people of Erewash?"
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Focus solely on cost without emphasising quality
- Lack evidence of past performance
- Ignore the importance of community impact
- Overlook the need for detailed project management plans
- Fail to address how disruption will be minimised
- Provide generic solutions without tailoring to Erewash's needs
- Neglect to communicate how they'll engage with stakeholders
My Final Thoughts
Erewash Borough Council is looking for more than just a contractor.
They're looking for a partner who understands the importance of maintaining high-quality public realms for the community.
The contract value is £170,000, running from 9th November to 18th December 2026.
Quality and long-term impact should be your guiding principles.
That's what I'd weave into every part of my submission.
Thanks for reading.
I hope this guide has helped make public procurement feel a little less daunting. If it has, then it's done its job.
P.S. Got a question?
If you've got a question about anything you've read, or you're stuck on a tender, just send me an email.
Whether it's a quick question or you simply need pointing in the right direction, I'm always happy to help if I can.
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Our guides are written using publicly available procurement information, including contract notices and published tender documents where available. They are designed to help suppliers understand the buyer's likely priorities and think more strategically about their approach. They are not based on any bidder's confidential submission, bespoke bid strategy or non-public procurement information.