Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel chain, has opened its 600th hotel – located at London Oval Cricket Ground. The milestone was celebrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Travelodge Chairman, Martin Robinson, CEO Jo Boydell, ex-England Cricket Captain and Surrey County Cricket Club Director, Alec Stewart OBE, and Surrey County
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, Norges, is poised to acquire a significant share in Meadowhall, a key shopping centre in Sheffield, enhancing its position in the UK retail sector. Norges is nearing a deal to buy out British Land’s 50% stake in the centre for around £363 million. This strategic acquisition
Flagship Group has submitted an outline planning application to regenerate a 1,100-home development in Norfolk. The project, centered around the Abbey in Thetford, aims to address housing needs while enhancing energy efficiency and community well-being. The plan involves constructing between 320 and 500 additional homes, retrofitting existing ones, and replacing
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is proud to announce a landmark agreement that will see some £100m invested in the Borough over the next 10 years. With anticipated Growth Deal funding of £36m from UK Government and the same from the NI Executive, alongside other partner contributions, this deal
Turtle Defib Cabinets – an innovative manufacturer of defibrillator and bleed control cabinets, bleed control kits and supplier of medical equipment – is recommending people who work in the construction industry to learn the location of their nearest defibrillator and bleed control kit this World Day for Safety and Health
Wavensmere Homes and Clowes Developments’ £75 million proposals to redevelop Friar Gate Goods Yard have been given the go-ahead by Derby City Council. The designs, submitted in August 2023, set out the vision for the reanimation of two landmark Grade II listed buildings into over 110,000 sq ft of commercial
Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel chain, has opened its 600th hotel – located at London Oval Cricket Ground. The milestone was celebrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Travelodge Chairman, Martin Robinson, CEO Jo Boydell, ex-England Cricket Captain and Surrey County Cricket Club Director, Alec Stewart OBE, and Surrey County Cricket Club CEO, Steve Elworthy. London Oval Cricket Ground Travelodge is a 95-room hotel, developed in partnership with Surrey County Cricket Club. The hotel is ideally located for both business and leisure travellers, and is just a minute’s walk from Oval Underground Station. As well as being Travelodge’s 600th hotel, it’s also the group’s 81st hotel in London and has created over 30 new jobs. London Oval Cricket Ground Travelodge features the group’s new, premium look and feel design which includes a redesigned reception area, next generation rooms and its new restaurant concept, 85 Bar Cafe, offering everything a business or leisure guest (or cricket fan) needs for a comfortable and relaxing stay. Sustainability has been an important factor when designing the hotel, which has a BREEAM Excellent rating, an Energy Performance Certificate rating of A and a number of sustainable features including; Air Source Heat Pumps for heating water; EV car charging; roof mounted solar PVs to convert the sun’s energy into electricity; green roofs to regulate temperatures and save energy, as well as encouraging biodiversity; low energy lighting throughout the hotel, with motion sensing controls; and aerated showers and taps in the bathrooms to reduce water usage. This hotel is the first new opening for Travelodge in the UK this year, with a further six hotels currently under construction in Rotherham, Colchester and Bristol, as well as three more in London; Bermondsey, Beckenham and Chiswick. The group also recently announced it is due to start construction on a new hotel in Stratford, London later this year. Travelodge is continuing to develop its UK pipeline and is committed to expanding its hotel network to offer more choice to its customers and support local economies. The group has over 300 target locations for hotel sites across the UK, including over 100 sites across London – which will drive investment and create local jobs. London Oval Cricket Ground Travelodge is managed by Darren Bennett, who joined Travelodge seven years ago as Assistant Hotel Manager at London Stratford Hotel and has worked in several other Travelodge hotels across London including Waterloo, Covent Garden and most recently as Hotel Manager in London Mile End Travelodge. Jo Boydell, Chief Executive, Travelodge, commented: “London Oval Cricket Ground Travelodge is a special opening for us, as our 600th hotel. Since opening our first hotel in the UK in 1985, Travelodge has grown across the UK, Ireland and Spain, and we now operate over 46,000 rooms, employ 13,000 colleagues and welcome over 22 million business and leisure customers to our hotels each year. “We are very proud to open this hotel at the iconic Oval Cricket Ground, in partnership with Surrey County Cricket Club. This hotel has been built to high standards, with sustainability an important factor of the design. It features our new premium look and feel design with our redesigned reception area and next generation rooms, as well as our brand new restaurant concept, 85 Bar Cafe. We are already receiving great feedback from guests, and we look forward to welcoming lots of new guests through a busy cricket season this year. “We are focused on continuing to grow our portfolio, with over 300 locations identified for new hotels across the UK as well as 20 target locations in Spain – which would create even more jobs and provide further choice and great value to more business and leisure travellers.” Steve Elworthy, CEO at Surrey CCC said: “It’s great news that the brand new London Oval Cricket Ground Travelodge has opened its doors to the public. The partnership between ourselves and Travelodge will provide cricket fans and visitors to the area with a quality option to stay in the area that is minimising its impact on the environment.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, Norges, is poised to acquire a significant share in Meadowhall, a key shopping centre in Sheffield, enhancing its position in the UK retail sector. Norges is nearing a deal to buy out British Land’s 50% stake in the centre for around £363 million. This strategic acquisition would place the total valuation of Meadowhall at approximately £725 million and is expected to yield a return of 7-8%. The move is seen as a strong indication of Norges’ confidence in the resilience and future profitability of top-tier retail locations across the UK. The discussions, which are in their final stages, were triggered by British Land’s decision last September to sell its share. Although a partnership continuation with British Land seems the most likely outcome, Norges is also considering other potential buyers. Under the proposed terms of the deal, British Land would maintain its role in managing the daily operations at Meadowhall, under the leadership of CEO Simon Carter. The shopping centre is home to a host of major retailers including Marks & Spencer, Zara, and Primark, adding to its appeal. This isn’t Norges’ first venture in UK property; its portfolio includes substantial stakes in London’s West End, notably a 25% interest in Regent Street managed by The Crown Estate, and a 23.5% ownership in Covent Garden through Shaftesbury Capital. Furthermore, it shares ownership of the West One shopping centre with British Land. Meadowhall has a storied history, developed on the site of a former steelworks by Yorkshire entrepreneurs Eddie Healey and Paul Sykes, and was sold to British Land in 1999 for £1.2 billion. Despite the challenges faced by the UK retail sector due to the rise of e-commerce and high business rates, Norges’ latest investment is seen as a testament to the enduring appeal of prime retail spaces. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Flagship Group has submitted an outline planning application to regenerate a 1,100-home development in Norfolk. The project, centered around the Abbey in Thetford, aims to address housing needs while enhancing energy efficiency and community well-being. The plan involves constructing between 320 and 500 additional homes, retrofitting existing ones, and replacing others. These new homes will be built to higher energy-efficient standards, reflecting Flagship’s commitment to sustainable development. According to Peter Hawes, Chair of Flagship, the project marks an important milestone for the Abbey and the Thetford community. Hawes emphasized the extensive consultation process with local residents over the past five years, ensuring their voices are heard in shaping the project. While the plans are in the early stages, Hawes emphasized the importance of phased delivery and continued community engagement. Each phase will undergo detailed design informed by further consultation with residents. To support the community throughout the project, Flagship plans to fund an independent advisor for tenants and leaseholders. This advisor will act as a resource, ensuring the interests of all residents are represented. In addition to the housing regeneration, Flagship has launched a biodiversity plan aimed at transforming outdoor spaces by 2030. This initiative includes measures to encourage wildlife, reduce the use of harmful chemicals, and enhance green spaces for community enjoyment. David McQuade, Chief Executive of Flagship, stressed the association’s responsibility for tenant well-being and environmental stewardship. He highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change and biodiversity loss, reaffirming Flagship’s commitment to sustainable land management and community welfare. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is proud to announce a landmark agreement that will see some £100m invested in the Borough over the next 10 years. With anticipated Growth Deal funding of £36m from UK Government and the same from the NI Executive, alongside other partner contributions, this deal is set to shape the future trajectory of the region. The formal signing of the Growth Deal, Heads of Terms agreement, represents a significant milestone in advancing the economy of the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough. The official launch took place at Ulster University’s Coleraine Campus this morning and brought together influential leaders, dignitaries, and stakeholders to celebrate collaborative efforts towards sustainable growth and development. Notable attendees included the First Minister, deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Finance Minister underscoring the importance of this moment for our community. The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Steven Callaghan noted the importance of the investment for the future prosperity of the Borough and its citizens. He stated: “Today’s event is the culmination of an enormous collective effort which began all the way back in 2019. Many institutions and individuals have contributed towards the development of a package of projects which represents the single largest Government investment in the Causeway Coast and Glens region. “This Growth Deal also demonstrates Council’s commitment to collaborative working. Through a programme of regeneration, we aim to transform our tourism offering and address some of our infrastructural challenges. Our Deal’s innovative projects will bring new industry to our Borough, providing high-skilled, high-paid employment opportunities for our young people. “This is just the beginning of our journey, and I would like to personally thank all of our delivery and funding partners for helping us get to this stage.” First Minister, Michelle O’Neill MLA said it was a great opportunity to showcase the City and Growth Deals initiative. She added: “This is one of four deals covering the whole of the north with £1.3 billion capital investment over the next 10-20 years. Our four City and Growth Deals have the potential to increase the number of good jobs, promote regional balance and raise productivity which is the driver of improving living standards. “The deals are helping to create a more dynamic and competitive economy here. Importantly, the deals will have a positive impact on the quality of life for so many including our young people, our businesses, and the many visitors who flock to the Causeway Coast and Glens.” Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly MLA reaffirmed the Executive’s support for the City and Growth Deals initiative. She said: “The projects that will be delivered through this deal will help improve infrastructure, create employment opportunities and upskill the local labour force. “The increase in key transport links will also attract more visitors to this beautiful area, creating even more opportunities for economic activity and further positioning Causeway Coast and Glens as a ‘go to’ area for business and tourism. “This multi-million pound investment is a great example of government, business and academia working together to tackle issues and make a real difference.” Lord Caine, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland said he was honoured to sign the Heads of Terms document, adding: “This Deal has the potential to provide further economic benefit, innovation and more employment for this fantastic region. I hope it can take us one step further to Northern Ireland being the best place in the world to invest. “The UK Government is committed to ensuring this area thrives, which is why we are investing £36 million to support projects which build on the region’s digital and innovation capabilities. “This will see projects such as the Centre for Food and Drug Discovery at Ulster University in Coleraine, the Business Innovation and Incubation Hub at Atlantic Link and the Innovation Hub at North West Regional College all benefit from this investment and bring exciting economic opportunities to the region and Northern Ireland as a whole.” Minister of Finance, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA described the signing of the Heads of Terms document as “a significant milestone”, adding: “Growing up in Coleraine, and now calling the area home, I know the positive impact this funding will have. The substantial injection of £100million into the Causeway Coast and Glens region is a game-changer for the area. “The exciting and transformative projects that make up the Growth Deal will shape infrastructure, create job opportunities and further increase the skills base. The Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deal will produce a legacy for generations to come from Cushendall in the east right across the Borough to Dungiven in the west, the benefits will be felt right across the region.” Today’s momentous gathering at Ulster University’s Coleraine Campus provided a platform for those attending to hear how our region will be transformed by this investment and highlighted the collective vision for a vibrant and prosperous Causeway Coast and Glens Borough. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with key stakeholders, contribute to discussions shaping the region’s future, and witness firsthand the signing of this historic agreement. Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor, Ulster University said: “The Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deal represents an opportunity for transformation for the Coleraine and North Coast area. It is a tremendous opportunity for us all to take the next step, driving forward the innovative ideas that will deliver economic growth for this incredible region. As a strategic partner, we are delighted to host this important event at Ulster University Coleraine, marking this important milestone in the Growth Deal process. “Ulster University will work collaboratively with the Council and other stakeholders to deliver innovation projects and continue to develop a pipeline of talented and innovative graduates, both of which will play a significant role in the development of this region.” If you would like to read Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Heads of Terms document and find out which projects are being developed for your area, you
Turtle Defib Cabinets – an innovative manufacturer of defibrillator and bleed control cabinets, bleed control kits and supplier of medical equipment – is recommending people who work in the construction industry to learn the location of their nearest defibrillator and bleed control kit this World Day for Safety and Health at Work (28 April 2024). Action needs to be taken in less than five minutes in the event of a serious bleed injury or cardiac arrest. Therefore, being confident of where equipment can be found is a sensible ‘just in case’ strategy that can mean the difference between life and death. Somewhat shockingly, there is still no legislation in the UK for businesses to install Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) in their premises. Nevertheless, Turtle also urges any person finding a lack of lifesaving medical equipment nearby office to question their health and safety departments and petition for a higher level of team care. There is also an opportunity for businesses to contribute to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Targets while keeping their employees safe; installing an external locked cabinet is an important resource for the local community. Photo caption: Representatives from GMI Construction, The Daniel Baird Foundation and Birmingham Council outside a construction project in Birmingham where GMI Construction installed a publicly accessible bleed control cabinet For every minute that passes without defibrillation, the chance of survival decreases by seven to 10 per cent, with survival being unlikely after ten minutes. There are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year according to the British Heart Foundation and the survival rate is less than 1 in 10. Considering the incidence of cardiac arrests and the critical time scale in which a person requires defibrillation to survive, Turtle maintains that Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) should be available in all places where ambulance response could exceed five minutes. The time taken to retrieve the equipment must also be factored in, meaning many construction sites should ensure multiple defibs are accessible. A person suffering a catastrophic injury can bleed out and die in as little as three minutes. 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents in 2022/23¹ and there were 60,645 employee non-fatal injuries reported by employers in 2022/23 (RIDDOR)²; of which 32 per cent were slips trips and falls, 11 per cent involved a person being struck by a moving object and both falls from height and acts of violence were recorded at 8 per cent. The risk of a person suffering a bleed injury in one of these scenarios is high so health and safety departments should ensure they have Ambulance Service designed and approved bleed control kits in premises and on-site vehicles – accessible within a minute or two at the most. Furthermore, the Office for National Statistics revealed in January 2024³ that knife crime has surged by 5 per cent in the past year so projects located in hot spot town and city centres have an opportunity to safeguard their staff and the public by possessing a bleed control kit. And – as with any publicly accessible and registered defibrillator – a 999 operator will direct a caller to the nearest public bleed control kit if required, meaning an externally installed bleed control cabinet is beneficial for the whole community 24-7. GMI Construction has implemented this strategy in city centres. Mike Dowson, Founder and MD or Turtle Defib Cabinets, said: “We never think the worst will happen, but the figures are sobering; 30,000 people experience cardiac arrest each year, 60,645 employees were injured at work last year and there were 48,716 knife-enabled crime offences in the year to September 2023. Then you look at the action and survival statistics and it’s clear that defibs and bleed control kits must be within reach in just a couple of minutes – the chance of survival after cardiac arrest decreases by seven to 10 per cent every minute without defibrillation and a person can bleed out in as little as three minutes.” “This World Day for Safety and Health at Work, I’d like to urge everyone on site or in an office to know exactly where to find their nearest defib and bleed control kit. If the lifesaving medical equipment can’t be accessed and brought back to their location quickly, I suggest they speak to their health and safety department; with a commitment from businesses to own the equipment and from employees to know the location, then I’m certain more lives can be saved.” People should always call 999 in the case of a medical emergency and the Ambulance Service will direct the caller to a defib cabinet or bleed control cabinet if there is one nearby. Turtle works closely with The Daniel Baird Foundation and £5 from every bleed control kit and £10 from every cabinet is donated to the non-profit. For more information about Turtle’s defib cabinets, bleed control cabinets and the equipment to place inside, please visit www.turtledefibcabinets.co.uk, or follow on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wavensmere Homes and Clowes Developments’ £75 million proposals to redevelop Friar Gate Goods Yard have been given the go-ahead by Derby City Council. The designs, submitted in August 2023, set out the vision for the reanimation of two landmark Grade II listed buildings into over 110,000 sq ft of commercial space, alongside 276 new build homes. A restoration of the 19th Century Bonded Warehouse and Engine House will deliver a total of 111,275 sq ft of flexible offices, health and fitness space, and a restaurant/café, together with a regional sales centre for Birmingham-headquartered Wavensmere Homes. Extensive new areas of open space, including play areas and pocket parks will be installed, in addition to the retention of the TPO tree buffer, to help enhance the biodiversity of the site. The elevated area adjacent to Friar Gate Bridge will become a new multi-purpose public realm and community space, with retention of some of the original railway arch facades. New vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access will be created at various points around the 11.5-acre (4.96Ha) site, from Uttoxeter New Road, Great Northern Way, and Friar Gate, with the Mick Mack cycling route also to be extended. Friar Gate Goods Yard has been in the ownership of the Clowes family for over 40 years, with a number of options for redevelopment proposed but not progressed, due to heritage constraints and commercial viability. Wavensmere Homes and Clowes developments worked with Glancy Nicholls Architects and Pegasus Group to incorporate the views from over 200 local public consultation responses into the comprehensive plans for the redevelopment of the derelict site. Wavensmere Homes anticipates receiving formal planning approval in time to commence work on site this summer. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
