February 4, 2025
Voicescape doubles office space in move to Exchange Quay

Voicescape doubles office space in move to Exchange Quay

Leading Manchester software services communications business, Voicescape, has relocated its headquarters to flagship office campus, Exchange Quay. The move sees the firm double its current office footprint as a result of sustained growth, both in terms of headcount and market share. Voicescape has agreed a 10 year lease on over

Read More »
Loungers Expands with First Covered Mall Restaurant at Merry Hill

Loungers Expands with First Covered Mall Restaurant at Merry Hill

Loungers has taken a major step in its expansion by opening its first-ever restaurant within a covered shopping mall at Merry Hill, further enhancing the vibrant leisure quarter at the popular Dudley destination. The new 3,200 sq ft restaurant, named Toledo Lounge, offers an extensive all-day menu featuring everything from

Read More »
Close Brothers Property Finance and HBF release video series Highlighting the vital role of SMEs in building sustainable communities

Close Brothers Property Finance and HBF release video series Highlighting the vital role of SMEs in building sustainable communities

To mark New Homes Week (3rd- 9th February) and its theme of Communities, Close Brothers Property Finance and the Home Builders Federation (HBF) have released a video series highlighting the vital role played by SME housebuilders in creating sustainable communities – built around the health and wellbeing of residents as

Read More »
Glencar reports increased profitability, stabilised growth, continued investment in latest results

Glencar reports increased profitability, stabilised growth, continued investment in latest results

Strong financial results presented with a focus on balance and consolidation, during a time of economic and industry upheaval, together with diversification into new and fast emerging sectors including Data Centres, Life Science, Ports, Civils, Infrastructure and Commercial. Glencar, a leading UK based construction company recognised for its past ranking

Read More »
Lovell Launches Construction of Energy-Efficient Homes in Hessle

Lovell Launches Construction of Energy-Efficient Homes in Hessle

Lovell has officially broken ground on its latest eco-conscious housing development in Hessle, marking the start of construction on 54 new homes.  Valued at £19 million, this mixed-tenure development will feature cutting-edge air source heat pumps, making it entirely gas-free, a significant step toward sustainable living in East Yorkshire. Situated

Read More »
Pre-market consultation open for renewal of Pagabo’s largest frameworks

Pre-market consultation open for renewal of Pagabo’s largest frameworks 

On behalf of contracting authority Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust, leading procurement specialist Pagabo has released Prior Information Notices (PINs) to request participation in preliminary market engagement for the renewal of two of its largest frameworks – the Major Works Framework and Developer Led Framework.   The lot structure

Read More »
Latest Issue
Issue 325 : Feb 2025

February 4, 2025

SEGRO and St George secure new pharmaceutical customer at SEGRO V-Park Grand Union

SEGRO and St George secure new pharmaceutical customer at SEGRO V-Park Grand Union

SEGRO, the leading owner and developer of industrial and warehouse space, and St George, a leading mixed-use developer in London and proud member of the Berkeley Group, have completed a new lease at SEGRO V-Park Grand Union to Panmedica Medical Distribution Occupying 1,700 sq ft and on floor five of the six-storey industrial development, Panmedica Medical Distribution will be the first company from the life sciences sector at the groundbreaking urban logistics park in Alperton, North West London. The development, designed with scalability and flexibility at its core, completed in April last year. SEGRO V-Park Grand Union is an industrial warehousing scheme, designed to maximise space where land is constrained. Delivered as part of a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood comprising 3,350 homes – 35% of which will be affordable – SEGRO V-Park Grand Union provides an innovative demonstration of industrial intensification and co-location of industrial and residential space. Panmedica is the second customer to establish operations onsite since completion, joining the inaugural customer, an automation and robotics company. The development’s strategic location, advanced infrastructure and wide range of modern amenities make it an attractive destination for businesses seeking agility, adaptability and long-term growth opportunities. Terry Glenn, Director, Panmedica Medical Distribution, said: “We are excited to locate at SEGRO V-Park Grand Union, a truly innovative development that aligns with our growth ambitions and operational needs. The combination of modern, flexible facilities, excellent connectivity and a thriving ecosystem of businesses makes it an ideal location for our company.” Ben Gomez-Baldwin, Director, London, SEGRO, said: “SEGRO V-Park Grand Union is an excellent fit for companies in the innovative life sciences sector, offering the flexibility to scale operations, modern facilities, a collaborative environment and a well-connected location that is attractive and easily accessible for employees. We’re pleased to welcome Panmedica Medical Distribution as our second customer at this innovative development helping shape a dynamic business community at the development and proving that the multi-storey industrial concept works across a range of business sectors.” Marcus Blake, Managing Director at St George PLC, said: “Grand Union showcases our commitment to transforming brownfield sites into sustainable, thriving neighbourhoods. Spanning 22 acres, with 50% dedicated to open space and 850m of newly accessible waterside frontage, it is designed to enhance both community and environment. 2025 will be a landmark year, welcoming new businesses such as Panmedica Medical Distribution, adding to the leisure experience which includes the opening of a new soft play café and launching 72 new canalside homes at Peninsula House. Grand Union is rapidly becoming a dynamic place to live, work and enjoy.” SEGRO V-Park Grand Union is located in the London Borough of Brent, one of London’s most sought-after industrial areas, and will front onto the North Circular (A406), providing excellent access into the London market and connectivity to the M1 and M25.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Honey’s Sweet Success: 2,850 New Homes and £795M Growth in Just Two Years

Honey’s Sweet Success: 2,850 New Homes and £795M Growth in Just Two Years

Emerging housebuilder Honey has achieved remarkable growth, securing 21 sites across Yorkshire and the Midlands to deliver 2,850 homes with a gross development value of £795 million—all within just two years of trading. Launched in October 2022, the Sheffield-headquartered company has quickly established itself as a key player in the UK housing market. For the financial year ending 31 December 2024, Honey has already secured £85 million in total forward sales. Earlier this year, the company also launched a partnerships division, which will initially deliver 286 affordable homes across four sites, generating forward sales of £60 million. Negotiations are also underway for two additional partnerships sites, totalling a further 238 units. With five active developments, Honey has achieved a sales rate of 0.69 for the year, with an average selling price of £290,000. The company has also earned a 100% customer satisfaction score in all independent surveys conducted by In-house Research, reinforcing its reputation for quality and service. From 2024, these metrics will be measured against the Home Builders Federation (HBF) customer satisfaction survey. Honey currently employs 80 people across its two regional headquarters in Sheffield and Leeds. The company has secured £235 million in funding, including £75 million in equity investment from private equity firm Alchemy Partners and £160 million in bank financing from four leading lenders. Mark Mitchell, founder and chief executive of Honey, expressed confidence in the company’s trajectory: *”We are significantly ahead of where we expected to be at this stage. Our homes have been incredibly well received, offering the perfect blend of style, quality, and sustainability—delivering exactly what buyers want at an accessible price point. Now firmly in our build-and-sell phase, we remain committed to providing outstanding new homes with exceptional customer care before, during, and after purchase. With strong financial backing, we are actively seeking new sites and plan to expand further south into the Midlands this year.”* Thomas Boszko of Alchemy Partners praised Honey’s rapid progress: “Mark and the team have delivered incredible growth in just two years, and 2024 will be another significant milestone for the business. We are excited to continue supporting Honey as it strengthens its presence across Yorkshire and the Midlands.” Over the past year, Honey has been shortlisted for nine national and regional property and business awards, reflecting its innovative approach to housebuilding. “We have built an agile and forward-thinking team, and it’s fantastic to see our approach being recognised both within the industry and the wider business community,” Mark added. “By thinking differently and keeping the needs of modern homebuyers at the heart of our designs, we are redefining what buyers can expect from a new home.” Honey’s 23 house types are designed using detailed consumer research to meet the evolving needs of today’s buyers, with a focus on flexibility and functionality. Every home features bi-fold doors, fully integrated designer kitchens, boutique-style bathrooms with a signature freestanding bath, full-height tiling, and an electric vehicle charging point as standard. As Honey continues to expand, its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction ensures it remains one of the most exciting new names in the UK housebuilding industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Voicescape doubles office space in move to Exchange Quay

Voicescape doubles office space in move to Exchange Quay

Leading Manchester software services communications business, Voicescape, has relocated its headquarters to flagship office campus, Exchange Quay. The move sees the firm double its current office footprint as a result of sustained growth, both in terms of headcount and market share. Voicescape has agreed a 10 year lease on over 5,000 sq ft on the fourth floor of the ICE Building. Agents on Exchange Quay are Canning O’Neill and Colliers. Relocating from their former Manchester residence at Urban Splash’s Boat Shed, Voicescape will occupy a full floor suite where the team of 55 employees will service their expanding nationwide social landlords and local authority client base. Voicescape uses a combination of technology, behavioural science and data science to create customer communications technology that helps to increase efficiency and improves service levels. The business has ambitious growth plans and cites Manchester’s tech talent pool as a key driver in its decision to retain its headquarter operations in the city. Muhammed Shaikh, Head of Marketing at Voicescape, said: “As a Manchester based tech business, we are proud of our roots and have access to some of the best talent in the country. Moving into ICE at Exchange Quay gives us the space for our current employees, whilst also accommodating future growth, but it’s about much more than the footprint. The landlord’s forward-thinking attitude and the dynamic environment makes it an ideal location for us and the environmental focus aligns with our carbon reduction ambitions. As a business we are all about using technology for the good of people and so Exchange Quay’s tenant app and resident engagement was a real draw. We are looking forward to growing our business on the campus.” Les Lang, Director, Till AM, said: “Voicescape is a welcome addition to our tenant mix here at Exchange Quay and we know they are looking forward to being part of the community we have created and continue to invest in. They will join a significant number of expanding businesses and we are pleased that our tenant engagement and campus credentials continue to attract ambitious, leading organisations like this.” Dominic Pozzoni, Director, Colliers, said: “Following a great 2024, it is fantastic to start 2025 with another new business selecting Exchange Quay to accommodate its growth.  Exchange Quay continues to appeal to an array of business sectors, providing superb office space within a vibrant and extremely well managed site, with exceptional on-site amenities and public transport links.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Loungers Expands with First Covered Mall Restaurant at Merry Hill

Loungers Expands with First Covered Mall Restaurant at Merry Hill

Loungers has taken a major step in its expansion by opening its first-ever restaurant within a covered shopping mall at Merry Hill, further enhancing the vibrant leisure quarter at the popular Dudley destination. The new 3,200 sq ft restaurant, named Toledo Lounge, offers an extensive all-day menu featuring everything from indulgent brunches to evening tapas, fresh salads, and hearty burgers. This latest addition complements the £12 million investment made into Merry Hill’s leisure quarter over the past three years, joining a stellar line-up of dining and entertainment brands such as Hollywood Bowl, ASK Italian, Wagamama, and Wingstop. Alistair Winning, asset manager at Sovereign Centros, commented on the milestone: “Merry Hill’s leisure quarter continues to thrive, with record-breaking performance and an outstanding collection of casual dining experiences. The arrival of Toledo Lounge strengthens our food and beverage offering, creating an inviting space that enhances our vision for a vibrant, all-day destination.” John English, head of community at Loungers, shared his enthusiasm for the launch: “We’re thrilled to bring our ‘home-from-home’ experience to Merry Hill. Toledo Lounge is designed to be a welcoming, relaxed space for everyone, including families, with games, colouring books, and more. We’re looking forward to becoming a key part of this dynamic community.” The opening of Toledo Lounge follows a series of new signings and reinvestments across Merry Hill’s lower retail park, covering nearly 79,000 sq ft and reinforcing the centre’s position as a leading destination for shopping, dining, and leisure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Targeting exceptional returns from 147 MW data centre development opportunity

Targeting exceptional returns from 147 MW data centre development opportunity

Tritax Big Box REIT plc (“Tritax Big Box” or “the Company”) has recently purchased a 74-acre site at Heathrow, London within the Slough Availability Zone, a key FLAP-D prime EMEA data centre location (the “Manor Farm site”). Simultaneously, the Company has acquired a 50% share in a joint venture (“the JV”) with a leading European renewable and low carbon energy power generator (“the JV Partner”). The JV enables accelerated power delivery to the Manor Farm site using pre-existing grid connection agreements. The acquisition of an interest in the JV constitutes a related party transaction for the purposes of the UK Listing Rules, further details of which are set out below.  Subject to receiving planning consent, the acquisition of the land and stake in the JV facilitates an accelerated timeline to the potential delivery of up to 147 Megawatts (“MW”) of power to support the development of a major data centre scheme at Manor Farm.   In addition, Tritax Management LLP (“Tritax Management” or “the Manager”), working with the JV partner, has created a further pipeline of potential data centre opportunities in key locations within the UK utilising power availability of c.1 gigawatt (“GW”). A prime location for a latest generation data centre of significant scale  Targeting exceptional returns and accelerated timeline with 9.3% yield on cost  and significant development profits  Tritax Management has created a potential data centre pipeline of up to 1 GW  An attractive market at a key inflection point, underpinned by long-term demand drivers and scarcity of powered land Contractual arrangementsThe land at Manor Farm is being acquired from Airport Industrial Property Unit Trust  (“AIPUT”). The JV stake is being acquired from Tritax Management. All return related figures in this announcement are presented net of the following consideration and fees payable to AIPUT and Tritax Management as outlined below: Aubrey Adams, Chairman of Tritax Big Box, commented“This is a decisive and exciting first step for the Company in the very attractive data centre market which the Manager has unlocked with its power and real estate capabilities. This gives the Company a considerable competitive advantage in capturing the growing demand for data centre infrastructure. The combination of Manor Farm’s prime London location and accelerated access to critical grid connection agreements creates the opportunity to develop quickly one of the UK’s largest data centres and deliver exceptional returns for our shareholders. “Over the past four years, the Manager has independently developed and invested in its power capabilities, securing a joint venture arrangement with one of Europe’s largest major renewable and low-carbon energy generators which the Company is now acquiring at Manor Farm. This provides accelerated access to power in this prime data centre location, where a lack of power has significantly restricted the development of these nationally critical infrastructure projects. Having taken extensive and independent professional advice, the Board of Tritax Big Box has successfully negotiated preferential access and terms for this opportunity, which generates exceptional returns and complements our logistics development pipeline. The Board has also negotiated a right of first refusal with the Manager for all future data centre opportunities with up to c.1 GW of power capacity.”  [1] Source: McKinsey & Company [1] AIPUT is an independently owned Jersey Property Unit Trust managed by Tritax Management LLP which, for the avoidance of doubt does not form part of the Manager’s group, and therefore, is not a related party of the Company for the purposes of the UK Listing Rules. The independent unit holders of AIPUT approved the sale of land at Manor Farm to the Company via a vote. [1] AIPUT will receive 30% of the real estate and battery storage related profits equivalent to 21% of total Phase 1 profits. [1] The development management fee is payable by reference to different milestones, with 3.5% payable in quarterly instalments contingent and commencing from the grant of satisfactory planning permission and 1.5% payable following the later of the date of grant of satisfactory planning permission and the date of exchange of an acceptable pre-letting agreement. [1] The Phase 1 profit in respect of the above contingent profit share arrangements is calculated as the fair value of the asset base at the time of completion (as confirmed by an independent valuer) less all associated costs. [1] Subject to a 12 month lock up arrangement. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Close Brothers Property Finance and HBF release video series Highlighting the vital role of SMEs in building sustainable communities

Close Brothers Property Finance and HBF release video series Highlighting the vital role of SMEs in building sustainable communities

To mark New Homes Week (3rd- 9th February) and its theme of Communities, Close Brothers Property Finance and the Home Builders Federation (HBF) have released a video series highlighting the vital role played by SME housebuilders in creating sustainable communities – built around the health and wellbeing of residents as well as safeguarding the natural world. The videos illustrate how SMEs are committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable homes, which enrich people’s lives while improving local infrastructure and wildlife habitats. The SMEs who feature in the series are: SME housebuilders make a valuable contribution to the local economies where they build, hiring local contractors, skilled tradespeople and apprentices to deliver housing schemes. Unlike PLC builders, who typically use centralised supply chains, SMEs support local suppliers and businesses. Many SMEs build in areas where they have personal connections, giving them greater insight into the types of homes and amenities that best serve existing communities in that area. Their smaller size means that they can be agile and adapt projects in line with feedback from the community. Despite the important role SMEs play, their numbers have dwindled in recent decades due to challenging economic conditions; an increasingly bureaucratic planning system and process and regulatory environment that adds significant cost and delays. At the same time, the lack of housing associations in the market to buy the affordable homes that SME housebuilders are required to provide as part of the planning permission is preventing them from delivering developments at all. .. A report from the House of Lords Built Environment Committee shows that the proportion of new homes built by SMEs in England plummeted from 39% in 1988 to just 10% in 2020. The HBF and Close Brothers Property Finance call upon the Government to offer greater support to SME housebuilders. First-time buyers have increasingly struggled to get on the housing ladder. With the close of Help to Buy last year it is the first time in decades there is no Government support scheme in place to help buyers, and  Stamp Duty relief on properties up to £425,000 ends later this year, exacerbating the problem still further. With inflation largely under control, interest rate cuts would help boost the sector, both by cutting costs for SME housebuilders and making borrowing more affordable for buyers. Close Brothers Property Finance and the HBF, along with Travis Perkins, have produced the State of Play report for the last five years which shines a spotlight on the challenges facing SME housebuilders. For each of the years that the report has been produced, planning has consistently been identified as the biggest obstacle to SME housebuilders. Phil Hooper, Chief Executive Officer of Close Brothers Property Finance, says: “SMEs are the backbone of local housing markets. As predominantly family-run businesses operating in the locations where they live, they take a huge amount of pride in the quality and attention to detail of every home they build. But successive failures to address issues within the planning system and current fiscal market conditions mean that these businesses aren’t getting the support that they need, and we now risk losing even more of these companies. Reforming the planning system is certainly a step in the right direction, but we also need to consider how we can level the playing field for SMEs to ensure they can access the same land, infrastructure and financial opportunities as their larger counterparts and finally reverse the years of decline.” Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive Officer of the Home Builders Federation, says:   “SMEs are the lifeblood of all industries, but in house building we have seen them disappear at an alarming rate as a result of the incredibly difficult environment within which they are operating.  Small builders bring choice to the market in terms of the type of homes they build and the locations. It is vital we address the challenges they face to operating their businesses such that they can continue to provide customers with high quality options to buy.” For further information on New Homes Week, visit: https://new-homes.co.uk/new-homes-week/  THE VIDEO SERIES This New Homes Week we have partnered with the Home Builders Federation to create a series of short films featuring SME Housebuilders across the UK, and the work they are doing to build and support local communities. Monday  Today we hear from Colin Palmer at 3West Group, South-West based housebuilder, at their development in Exmouth. Colin talks about employing local suppliers and sub-contractors and how this has equated to around £50m being injected into the South West economy. Tuesday This video shows Mark White of Bargate Homes, talking about the work they are doing to encourage wildlife at their development of sustainable homes in Hampshire.  Mark also discusses supporting the elderly community and children with SEN needs, win the community. Wednesday Today we hear from Laura and Richard Ellam of Pivot Developments.  Laura and Richard met over 20 years ago whilst working on a Scottish oil rig, wanting to leverage their experience in engineering and technology, they set up Pivot Developments in 2020 and since then have been creati low carbon, energy-efficient homes.  Thursday Hear Paul Moran, of Cavanna Homes talk about building “homes, not just houses”, with sensory gardens, play areas, allotments and open spaces they are proud to provide for the community, at this development near Exeter. Friday The last video in our New Homes Week series features the fantastic Lorraine Thomas, founder of View from my Window.  Lorraine is a housebuilder, mentor, coach and property investor, based in South London.  Lorraine’s mission is to make property accessible and life-changing, for her local community, and beyond. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Glencar reports increased profitability, stabilised growth, continued investment in latest results

Glencar reports increased profitability, stabilised growth, continued investment in latest results

Strong financial results presented with a focus on balance and consolidation, during a time of economic and industry upheaval, together with diversification into new and fast emerging sectors including Data Centres, Life Science, Ports, Civils, Infrastructure and Commercial. Glencar, a leading UK based construction company recognised for its past ranking among Europe’s fastest-growing businesses and known for delivering high quality projects across various sectors, most notably in Logistics & Industrial, Life Sciences & Pharma, Data Centres, Commercial, Ports, Film Studios & Leisure and Civils, has today announced its annual results for the period ended 30th September 2024. The results demonstrate a strong improvement in all financial metrics with improved profitability, net asset value, and cash. This has been achieved through a commitment to doing the right kind of work, alongside further investment to deliver best in class processes. Repeat business and long-standing customer relationships accounts for a significant percentage of turnover, with current retention levels exceeding 80%. Meanwhile, expansion into new markets and targeted new opportunities continues, particularly in the Life Sciences and Data Centre sectors. To enable sustained growth and efficiency, significant ongoing investment in head office and core business support functions has been implemented and Glencar has positioned itself within the market to take on upcoming opportunities with the availability and mobility of the right people and teams. Amongst the highlights include :   2024   2023 Secure project pipeline 2025 – £350M 2024 – £300M Revenue  £406.8M £405.9M Profit before tax £4.8M £2.2M Gross Profit 5.7% 5.1% Average contract value £18.7M £16.9M Project completions 32 28 Average considerate contractor score (CCS) of 50 43 43 Commenting on the results Glencar CEO Eddie McGillycuddy said:  “We have continued to respond to the rapidly evolving and changing customer expectations and the needs of the market. We retain a key focus and true specialisation in Industrial & Logistics and have delivered important and high-profile developments in the period.  We are seen as a trusted delivery partner and achieve extremely high levels of customer retention and repeat business. Through this our exceptional teams and delivery partners continue to push the boundaries in terms of design, delivery, materials and processes. We have reevaluated our commercial strategy, ensuring we focus on the right type of work in order to deploy our resources efficiently, whilst effectively managing risk.  We look forward to the year ahead with a sense of optimism and confidence with a strong order book and an exceptional team. We have already secured a robust order book of £350 million for 2025, with strong project margins and well-established delivery teams. At the same time, our commitment to innovation and the integration of smart processes and technology is accelerating, ensuring that we stay at the forefront of industry trends. We are targeting 10% revenue growth in the next financial year, followed by 10% in the following year. This ambitious goal is underpinned by our strategy of cultivating repeat business with our key client base while actively exploring strategic opportunities with new clients and in emerging markets. A core focus for us remains the sustained improvement of profit margins, whilst all the while maintaining the high standards of service delivery that our clients expect. We are dedicated to achieving this delicate balance and ensuring that our growth does not compromise the excellence of our services. Recognising that our success is intrinsically linked to our people, we are committed to investing in our workforce. This investment will involve increasing the number of team members and expanding our comprehensive training company-wide. Simultaneously, we will direct our investment towards fortifying our internal systems and processes, ensuring their resilience to provide both our customers and supply chain partners with the best possible service”. To watch a video the summarises our highlights throughout the period please visit our YouTube page: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Lovell Launches Construction of Energy-Efficient Homes in Hessle

Lovell Launches Construction of Energy-Efficient Homes in Hessle

Lovell has officially broken ground on its latest eco-conscious housing development in Hessle, marking the start of construction on 54 new homes.  Valued at £19 million, this mixed-tenure development will feature cutting-edge air source heat pumps, making it entirely gas-free, a significant step toward sustainable living in East Yorkshire. Situated in the picturesque town of Hessle, known for its Humber Bridge Country Park and tranquil atmosphere, the development aims to reflect the natural beauty of its surroundings. The homes will showcase a blend of red brick and silver pearl render, accented by grey and terracotta roof tiles, offering elegant designs that integrate seamlessly into the local landscape. This groundbreaking project represents the developer’s commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship. By incorporating air-source heat pumps into every home, the development will provide residents with energy-efficient and future-ready living solutions while supporting the UK’s transition to greener housing standards. The development will include 28 open-market homes with options ranging from four to five bedrooms, as well as four two-bedroom First Homes available through the First Homes Scheme. Affordable housing will also be available through a partnership with Together Housing, ensuring that this new community is both inclusive and diverse. In addition to the new homes, Lovell has committed over £360,000 in contributions to support local services, education, and healthcare, reinforcing its dedication to enhancing the surrounding community. Groundbreaking marks the beginning of a construction phase that will conclude in Summer 2026. The first homes will be available for sale in early 2025, offering buyers the opportunity to secure modern, eco-friendly homes in a serene and convenient location. Robert Adams, Regional Managing Director at Lovell, said: “Breaking ground on this development in Hessle is an exciting milestone. It’s a chance to bring modern, sustainable living to a beautiful and serene environment while contributing meaningfully to the local community.” To find out more about Lovell and the upcoming Hessle development, visit here.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Allegion UK promotes greater installation standards with new instructional video series

Allegion UK promotes greater installation standards with new instructional video series

Allegion UK, a pioneer in fire safety hardware and manufacturer of ‘Briton’ door controls, has expanded its library of customer support materials with new installation videos for its highly popular 2003 and 2003V surface mounted door closers. Allegion’s newly published video series provides customers with an illustrative set of installation and adjustment instructions for door mount pull, transom mount and parallel arm mount fixings across its leading product lines. With each video, Allegion aims to improve the accuracy of door closer fittings by delivering a comprehensive walkthrough of the 2003 and 2003V installation process, from the product unboxing to its fixing methods and measurements, as illustrated by Briton’s unique self-adhesive Accufit template system. With plans to further develop the video library to include step-by-step installation guidance for the Briton 2130B overhead closer, Allegion will shortly complete a suite of digitally curated support materials, which includes technical datasheets, product certifications, fixing templates and downloadable service and maintenance instructions. Speaking on the amibitions behind the new installation videos, John Fairhurst, business development manager at Allegion UK, commented: “Where the safety of buildings and their occupants is reliant on fire door hardware, we too often identify inaccurate installation as a leading cause for inadequate product performance. In order to prioritise fire safety, we believe it’s crucial to eliminate the issues assocated with incorrect hardware installation, and in adding short and engaging video content to our resources, we can further support our customers in this area. “Driven by our ongoing commitment to improving fire door safety standards, and following the success of our updated Accufit system for the 2003 and 2003V, we have also developed a new Accufit template for the Briton 2130B, which is available now and will feature in a standalone series of installation videos set to launch later this year.” To view the latest series of installation support videos from Allegion UK, visit: https://briton.co.uk/en/documentlibrary/installation_videos.html. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »
Pre-market consultation open for renewal of Pagabo’s largest frameworks

Pre-market consultation open for renewal of Pagabo’s largest frameworks 

On behalf of contracting authority Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust, leading procurement specialist Pagabo has released Prior Information Notices (PINs) to request participation in preliminary market engagement for the renewal of two of its largest frameworks – the Major Works Framework and Developer Led Framework.   The lot structure for both frameworks will be developed in line with market requirements informed by preliminary market engagement and will be fully confirmed prior to the call for competition scheduled for June 2025.   The current iteration of the Major Works Framework gives access to 25 contractors for large-scale construction projects valued above £5m. Initially launched in 2020 to run for a term of up to six years, the framework has seen over 75 projects procured, alongside over 100 opportunities for suppliers at a total value of £2bn. Notable schemes procured through the framework include the Lakes Estate renewal scheme in Milton Keynes, The Manchester College’s City Campus extension, and the Innovation Matrix in Swansea for University of Wales Trinity Saint David.  Meanwhile, the Developer Led Framework is a unique market offering – emphasising the early engagement between developers and clients that drives impactful placemaking and improved development viability.   The current iteration of the framework went live at the end of 2020 and gives clients access to 21 pre-approved developers. 46 schemes with a total combined value of more than £5bn have been procured through the current iteration of the framework, with more than £7bn in the pipeline.   The framework has enabled more than 15,000 homes to be built, along with thousands of square feet of commercial, retail and public space. Notable schemes include Bradford City Village, Great Western Hospital, High Peak District Council City Centre Regeneration and Derby City Council Cultural Heart Development.    Jason Stapley, chief procurement officer at Pagabo, said: “These two frameworks have been completely transformative for the sector over recent years, driving real value for clients and transformational placemaking for communities. We know that there’s so much more to unlock, so we’re really pleased to be working with Contracting Authority Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust to bring the next generation of each offering to the market.   “With imminent procurement reform also seeking to further enhance the transparency agenda and deliver fully maximised value for money, it’s important to keep innovating and ensure that frameworks are developed in a way that works for clients and suppliers when they come to market. That’s why preliminary market engagement is so central to the way we develop the framework offerings we manage – gaining the insights from those organisations that will ultimately utilise the framework.   “We welcome insights from any contractor, developer or contracting authority that is considering participating in the opportunity, or may utilise the new frameworks. These insights are vital to support in designing a solution that works for everyone.”  Preliminary market consultations are underway, and all interested contractors and developers can register to the e-tendering portal In-Tend to express their interest and complete a pre-market engagement survey for the relevant framework.   These surveys will remain open for input until 28 February 2025. A version of the survey is also available for contracting authorities, please contact info@pagabo.co.uk to gain access to a survey for completion.   The tender process for both frameworks is expected to launch in June 2025.   For further information on the Developer Led Framework PIN go to, https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003511-2025?origin=SearchResults&p=1  and for the Major Works Framework PIN, go to https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003515-2025?origin=SearchResults&p=1  For more information, please visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk/   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Read More »