The Great Western Society (GWS) has been successful in securing a Heritage Grant (Development Phase award) from The National Lottery Heritage Fund (Heritage Fund) to enable the development of a project which will reinvigorate the heart of the Didcot Railway Centre site though conservation repairs to the Historic Engine Shed and associated programme of heritage activity and interpretation, thus making Didcot Railway Centre a more sustainable business. The project will enable DRC to make a step change in its offer to ensure its long-term sustainability as a living museum fit for the 21st century.

GWS wish to commission an experienced Evaluation Consultant to design an Evaluation Framework and implementation plan for the Development and Delivery phases of the project. The successful consultant will work closely with the project team, in particular the Activity Planners (Julia Holberry Associates) and Interpretation Designers (Simon Leach Design). The consultant is also expected to work with the Project Manager to prepare an Evaluation report on the Development Phase to be submitted with the final drawdown.

The document at the link below sets out details of the brief, the appointment process, assessment criteria and timetable. The appointment is expected to cover both the Development and Delivery Phases of the project, with an appropriate break clause between both phases.

The budget for the Development Phase is circa £5,000 excluding VAT but including all expenses. We do not anticipate the Development Phase fee exceeding £20,000 exclusive of VAT.

How to apply

Click here to download the full brief (opens in a new tab)

Tenders must be submitted by no later than 30 January 2026 via email or file sharing system to Jason Lowe,  jason.l@conservationplus.org and the email subject title to state “DRC: Evaluation”.