Specialist fabrication company sought to build the White Palm

The proposed White Palme tree on Cleethorpes sea front.

ONE of Britain’s best known tourist resorts is looking to team up with specialist contractors to build an iconic new structure to drive tourism.
The White Palm is a proposal by Wolfgang Weileder for a new large-scale public sculpture for the North Promenade in Cleethorpes, approved through the planning system earlier this year.
Now, the council is seeking a specialist fabrication company to work with the artist on the detailed design and fabrication of the structure. Initially, this involves undertaking a pre-market consultation exercise starting on 4 May with interested providers, with the intention of booking in some 1:1 discussions on 14 May.
Specialist companies should register with YorTender to register their interest. It is hoped that a company local to North East Lincolnshire will be able to apply to do the work. However, if there are any construction companies who would like to tender for the project and need assistance with the procurement process please contact cleethorpesregeneration@nelincs.gov.uk.
The proposed artwork consists of a white artificial palm tree, taller than the Angel of the North at 22m, and paving that references its shadow at noon.  The shadow paving underneath The White Palm will be partly made from recycled non-organic material collected from Cleethorpes’ beach. At night, The White Palm will be illuminated.
The company chosen will be required to work closely with the artist to develop the concept proposal through to detailed design, specification, and then carry out fabrication and installation of both the palm itself and the “shadow” on the paving.
The White Palm is part of the North Prom public art project, funded through the Coastal Communities Fund, secured by CoastNEL and North East Lincolnshire Council. Other elements of the project include new lighting, street furniture which can be repurposed for fitness use and the shutter art project.
The premarket consultation is available to view on www.yortender.co.uk, reference DN476497, and will close at noon on Monday 11 May.