Greggs is setting its sights on 140 to 150 new store openings in 2025, following a record-breaking year in which the bakery chain surpassed £2 billion in sales for the first time. In 2024, Greggs expanded its presence with 226 new store openings, while closing 28 locations and relocating 53.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced a £1.5 billion investment programme aimed at regenerating 75 neighbourhoods across the UK over the next decade. Each selected area will receive £20 million as part of the government’s new Plan for Neighbourhoods, designed to breathe new life into
From the 54th floor of Icon Tower at One West Point, west London’s tallest residential building, the potential for transformation around Old Oak Common Station is clear. This area, once dominated by old warehouses, ageing offices, and scattered residential blocks, is now set for a major revival. Earlier this week,
Landsec is planning a major shift in strategy, announcing plans to sell £2bn worth of office assets to fund its expansion into the residential sector. The move marks a significant pivot for the FTSE 100 property giant, which aims to establish a £2bn+ residential platform over the next two to
Keon Homes has hailed being named on the £1billion Wolverhampton Housing Development Framework as a transformational moment for its business. The specialist in affordable housing and extra care schemes beat off intense competition to be granted preferred contractor status on all sites over 20 plots in the city and surrounding
With competency under the spotlight, it is important that all construction professionals have easy access to high quality educational opportunities. Siderise Academy is a new online learning platform designed to help the industry build its understanding of passive fire protection and acoustics in the built environment. Featuring RIBA-certified CPDs and
A local Priors Hall Park School student is over the moon following an ‘out of this world’ gift from a housebuilder. Last year, 9-year-old pupil Jasper won a competition to design a bedroom, held by housebuilder Davidsons Homes for its stunning showhome at Kirby Woodlands. As part of his prize,
Selling a home in Cincinnati can be a daunting task, especially when using traditional real estate methods. From staging your home and scheduling showings to waiting for the right buyer and dealing with complicated negotiations, the process can be time-consuming and stressful. While the traditional route works for some homeowners,
Greggs is setting its sights on 140 to 150 new store openings in 2025, following a record-breaking year in which the bakery chain surpassed £2 billion in sales for the first time. In 2024, Greggs expanded its presence with 226 new store openings, while closing 28 locations and relocating 53. The company also refurbished 165 existing shops, bringing its total estate to 2,618 stores by the end of the year. Looking ahead, Greggs sees significant potential to exceed 3,000 UK stores in the long term. The company’s total sales for 2024 rose 11.3% year-on-year to £2.01bn, with underlying operating profit increasing 13.7% to £195.3m. Roisin Currie, chief executive of Greggs, reflected on the company’s success: “2024 was another record-breaking year for Greggs; we exceeded £2 billion in sales for the first time and opened our 2,600th shop. Our people have worked tirelessly to deliver on our strategic ambition to further establish Greggs as a multi-channel food-to-go retailer, and I want to acknowledge their efforts. It is thanks to their hard work, week after week, that we continue to grow, while maintaining the great prices, high-quality products, and friendly service that keep our customers coming back.” Currie also reaffirmed Greggs’ long-term growth strategy: “In 2021, we set our sights on doubling sales by 2026 and building a significantly larger business. Three years into this five-year plan, we are on track and confident in the growth opportunities ahead. The brand is stronger than ever, with vast potential to expand our store network and continue developing in newer markets and channels.” With strong momentum and ambitious expansion plans, Greggs is poised for another year of impressive growth in 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced a £1.5 billion investment programme aimed at regenerating 75 neighbourhoods across the UK over the next decade. Each selected area will receive £20 million as part of the government’s new Plan for Neighbourhoods, designed to breathe new life into local high streets, parks, youth clubs, cultural venues, libraries, and health and wellbeing services. To ensure that funding meets local needs, newly established neighbourhood boards will bring together residents and businesses to decide how best to invest the money in their communities. Options could range from repairing pavements and revitalising high streets to setting up community grocers offering low-cost essentials, co-operatives, or even strengthening neighbourhood watch schemes. The investment will also focus on improving education, health, and employment services while tackling pressing local issues such as crime. Alex Norris, Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety, said the programme would provide long-term support to strengthen community spirit and help struggling areas recover. “This will deliver lasting funding to reignite the potential of neighbourhoods that have for too long been left fighting for survival,” he said. “Alongside our planning reforms, devolution of powers, and strengthened workers’ rights, this investment will help people and places to thrive again.” Among the communities set to benefit are Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire, Irvine in Scotland, Wrexham in Wales, and Coleraine and Derry in Northern Ireland. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner highlighted the importance of putting local people in control of their own regeneration. “For years, too many neighbourhoods have been starved of investment despite their potential to grow and flourish,” she said. “Communities across the UK have so much to offer—from rich cultural heritage to strong local networks—but they know best what their neighbourhoods need. “Our fully funded Plan for Neighbourhoods does things differently. It puts local people in the driving seat, giving them the power to decide how government investment is spent, what issues to tackle, and where to focus growth.” With this ambitious funding package, the government aims to give neighbourhoods the tools and resources to transform their futures, creating stronger, more vibrant communities across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
From the 54th floor of Icon Tower at One West Point, west London’s tallest residential building, the potential for transformation around Old Oak Common Station is clear. This area, once dominated by old warehouses, ageing offices, and scattered residential blocks, is now set for a major revival. Earlier this week, HS2 Ltd, the organisation behind the multi-billion-pound high-speed rail project, released a report on its expected economic impact on west London. Despite delays and cost overruns, the report, titled From Trains to Cranes: HS2 and the West London Development Boom, projects that HS2 will generate £10 billion for the local economy over the next decade. It is expected to create more than 22,000 new homes and nearly 19,000 jobs, with 7.5 million square feet of new commercial space. Since HS2 received royal assent in 2017, planning applications within 1.5 miles of Old Oak Common have increased by 22%, with a combined value of £3.41 billion—an astonishing 325% rise compared to the previous seven years. Mark Wild, chief executive of HS2 Ltd, believes the focus on extending HS2 into central London has overshadowed its impact on west London. “At Old Oak Common, we’re building the best-connected new station ever constructed in this country,” he says, describing it as a “superhub” that will provide direct links to over 100 UK destinations. One company that invested early in the area is City & Docklands, the developer behind One West Point. In 2018, it demolished a former furniture warehouse in North Acton, just a mile from the Old Oak Common site, and began construction the following year. Six years later, the development has delivered 701 apartments across four buildings, with Icon Tower fully let within just three months of opening in 2022. Gary Sacks, chief executive of City & Docklands, recalls the risks of investing in the area back in 2018 but remains confident in the decision. “We knew the Elizabeth line was coming—it was too far along to be stopped—and HS2 was potentially happening. When we looked at rental yields, it made sense,” he explains. The section of HS2 between Birmingham and Old Oak Common is scheduled to open between 2029 and 2033, but the timeline for the London Euston extension remains uncertain. A recent report by MPs on the Public Accounts Committee heavily criticised the project’s management and estimated its total cost could approach £80 billion—almost double the government’s 2023 estimate. Despite ongoing scrutiny and delays, developers remain optimistic about Old Oak Common’s future. Barratt London has acquired a 10-acre site north of One West Point, where it plans to replace an existing Asda with a new store and 1,500 homes. The company hopes to secure planning approval by the end of the year. Craig Carson, managing director of Barratt West London, sees the area’s potential. “West London is a strong part of the city with great connectivity. This project allows us to unlock underutilised land and bring forward much-needed homes,” he says. Of the planned homes, 35% will be affordable, alongside new green spaces and commercial units. Imperial College London is also expanding its presence in Old Oak Common. Since 2014, the university has developed student accommodation and residential projects in the area. Now, it is preparing to transform a brownfield site near the station into One Portal Way, a mixed-use development featuring seven buildings, 1,300 homes, and two million square feet of workspace. Alice Sewell, investment director at Imperial College London, says the site will become part of the university’s West Tech Corridor, designed to support tech and science firms. “We knew the new station was coming, making it a prime investment location. It’s also just two stops from our White City campus,” she explains. With limited space at its existing sites, the university sees Old Oak Common as a natural expansion area for the next 10 to 15 years. Sewell hopes the area will become an innovation hub, similar to King’s Cross. “We need more homes for our talent if we’re going to grow London’s innovation sector,” she says. Carson believes major infrastructure projects such as HS2 give developers the confidence to invest in up-and-coming areas. “King’s Cross thrived on the back of infrastructure upgrades. The same happened at Nine Elms with the Northern line extension to Battersea Power Station. Large-scale transport projects create a ripple effect,” he notes. Sacks remains confident in Old Oak Common’s appeal, regardless of HS2’s final destination. “The area is already well established—HS2 is just the cherry on top. If it terminates here, people will stop. If it goes to Euston, they’ll have a three-minute train ride. It’s a win either way,” he says. With billions set to be invested and new developments rising across the area, Old Oak Common is on track to become one of London’s most exciting regeneration stories. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Landsec is planning a major shift in strategy, announcing plans to sell £2bn worth of office assets to fund its expansion into the residential sector. The move marks a significant pivot for the FTSE 100 property giant, which aims to establish a £2bn+ residential platform over the next two to five years while also growing its retail-focused portfolio. The company intends to reduce its exposure to office-led assets, releasing £2bn of its current £6.5bn capital in this sector and scaling back investment in new office developments by at least half once its existing pipeline is completed. Landsec said this strategic rebalancing aims to create a more stable, high-growth portfolio, with a focus on residential-led projects offering strong returns with lower risk. It noted that while net effective income returns for offices and residential properties are broadly similar, residential offers higher income growth and fewer lease incentives. To support the transition, Landsec plans to release half of its £0.7bn capital tied up in pre-development assets over the next three years and will also exit its remaining £0.8bn in retail and leisure parks to fund investment in key retail-led destinations. The strategy will roll out in two phases: the first, over one to three years, will focus on maximising returns from its existing retail and office assets, exiting low-yielding properties, and reducing overheads by £12m. The second phase, spanning two to five years, will see a significant reallocation of capital towards assets offering stronger income growth and long-term stability. By 2030, Landsec expects to have built a more balanced portfolio, better positioned for sustainable growth in an evolving property market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Keon Homes has hailed being named on the £1billion Wolverhampton Housing Development Framework as a transformational moment for its business. The specialist in affordable housing and extra care schemes beat off intense competition to be granted preferred contractor status on all sites over 20 plots in the city and surrounding areas. It is about to start construction work on the £40m New Park Village remodelling project in the summer and is shortly getting underway with the first phase of 99 new bungalows at Lincoln Green in Bushbury. Five new jobs have been created at the Burntwood-based developer with tens more expected to follow indirectly in the supply chain. Importantly, the Housing Development Framework also included a Direct Award for Keon Homes, providing authorised users with a streamlined process to procure works for the next four years. This is open to any local authority or registered provider across Cheshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire, and the West Midlands. Matt Beckley, Partnerships Director, commented: “This is arguably the biggest deal in our history, with the opportunity to support the redevelopment of some key housing sites in Wolverhampton and, then potentially, further afield. “Our track record for bringing challenging schemes to market and then completing them on time and to budget played a key role in the award, that and our passion for creating communities where individuals and families can thrive. It’s more than bricks and mortar to us.” He continued: “New Park Village and Lincoln Green are two sites that drastically needed remodelling, especially the latter where old, prefabricated accommodation was coming to the end of its lifecycle in terms of structural integrity and energy efficiency. We’re replacing these with highly energy efficient properties that will be built using the latest construction techniques and with green spaces at their heart, meeting the needs of local residents.” Councillor Steve Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Our new Housing Development Framework is helping speed up the delivery of good homes in well-connected neighbourhoods across Wolverhampton, while providing affordable housing to residents. “It will also allow our housing team to plan estate regeneration and gain advice from contractors and developers, like Keon Homes, on buildability and viability as we work in partnership to ensure value for money. “This will prove to be an effective way to deliver new homes and, crucially, increases the city’s housing stock when it needs it most.” The Wolverhampton Housing Development Framework is in place for four years initially with the opportunity for it to be extended if the agreement is going well. It marks another significant year of growth for Keon Homes, who recently announced it is bringing the £35m Phase 3 of Port Loop in Birmingham back to life and successfully completed its first extra care scheme in Newport nine months ahead of schedule. “We have slowly, but surely been building a reputation in the East and West Midlands as a developer that organisations can trust and this means we are now working with eleven housing associations and the City of Wolverhampton Council on this landmark Framework,” added Richard Williams, Managing Director of Keon Homes. “The Direct Award is also very important. In essence, it means other local authorities can come to us direct with a site award, without having to go through the time-consuming and costly procurement process.” For further information, please visit www.keonhomes.co.uk or follow the company across its social media channels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With competency under the spotlight, it is important that all construction professionals have easy access to high quality educational opportunities. Siderise Academy is a new online learning platform designed to help the industry build its understanding of passive fire protection and acoustics in the built environment. Featuring RIBA-certified CPDs and ASFP-verified modules, it can support the creation of safe, comfortable and compliant buildings designed to last. Created by learning and technical experts at the global manufacturer of high-performance passive fire protection, acoustic and insulation solutions, Siderise Academy offers a range of on-demand courses, webinars and CPD modules that are accessible on any device with an internet connection. These are supported with reading materials and interactive quizzes and assessments designed to test your knowledge and reinforce your learning. With RIBA-certified CPDs and passive fire protection modules verified by the ASFP, the content aligns with high industry standards and can be used as part of the ASFP Competency Pathway. Once a course or webinar is completed, users can download a certificate of completion, enabling them to document their learning and provide evidence that they are taking steps to maintain their competence through continuous learning and development. Elan Penn, Training Manager at Siderise, spoke of the significance of the new platform: “Launching the Siderise Academy marks a key milestone in our mission to ‘Go Beyond, contributing to safer buildings.’ Both passive fire protection and acoustics are incredibly complex areas of construction and it is important that industry professionals have the right background knowledge to ensure the approaches and solutions they are using are the best practice for their projects, supporting both safety and regulatory compliance. Through this platform, we hope to better share the knowledge and experience of our technical experts, with even more valuable courses and modules set to be released over the coming year.” Siderise Academy has launched with three foundational courses and insightful webinars, enabling you to start your journey to a better understanding of passive fire protection and acoustics from today. Sign up for your free account at https://sideriseacademy.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A local Priors Hall Park School student is over the moon following an ‘out of this world’ gift from a housebuilder. Last year, 9-year-old pupil Jasper won a competition to design a bedroom, held by housebuilder Davidsons Homes for its stunning showhome at Kirby Woodlands. As part of his prize, Jasper’s bedroom design was replicated in one of the showhome bedrooms – a room that Jasper was excited to visit and explore for himself. Following a surge of sales including the showhome itself, Davidsons Homes decided to gift all the furniture from the space-themed bedroom to Jasper. The treat was carefully planned between the housebuilder and Jasper’s mum, Annabelle, giving the youngster a surprise that rendered him speechless on the day. Simon Tyler, Sales Director for Davidsons South, said: “Gifting the furniture to Jasper from the bedroom he designed feels like the perfect ending to this lovely story. Originally, we tasked students from Priors Hall Park School to design a bedroom for our new showhome, and we were absolutely blown away by the results. From models made of the room, through to stories that accompanied entries, we have genuinely never seen such high-quality entries from children. “Jasper’s design won our hearts though, with so many carefully-considered details – a galaxy-themed ceiling, Doctor Who and Star Wars elements and a slide reaching from the bed, surely every child’s dream. “Now, we’re delighted that following the sale of the showhome, we are able to gift all the furniture from this bedroom to Jasper. We very much hope he enjoys his revamped bedroom and that it’s a little reminder to him of this project, which has certainly been one we’ve all thoroughly enjoyed here at Davidsons Homes.” As part of his prize, Jasper also won a £500 Merlin voucher for him and his family to enjoy. Not only that, but Jasper was the first to visit the showhome and see the bedroom, before it was open to other visitors. Jasper’s mum, Annabelle, said: “Jasper has been so excited about his bedroom design being chosen, in fact he even took his grandparents to visit it over Christmas last year. Now, it’s the icing on the cake that we have been given the furniture from the bedroom for Jasper to take home and enjoy. “It was wonderful to visit the showhome again with Jasper, along with his sisters, and see him receive the news that he is able to take the furniture home with him. We really cannot thank you all enough.” People are invited to visit Kirby Woodlands for themselves. To make an appointment or to find out more, visit davidsonshomes.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Selling a home in Cincinnati can be a daunting task, especially when using traditional real estate methods. From staging your home and scheduling showings to waiting for the right buyer and dealing with complicated negotiations, the process can be time-consuming and stressful. While the traditional route works for some homeowners, many others need a simpler and faster way to sell. If you’re looking to sell your house quickly and without hassle, you may want to avoid the traditional selling process and explore more efficient alternatives. Whether you’re facing foreclosure, relocating, downsizing, or simply want to sell your home without delays, there are better options available. In this guide, we’ll discuss why traditional home sales can be challenging, explore alternative ways to sell your house quickly in Cincinnati, and explain how you can complete the sale without the usual stress. 1. The Challenges of Selling a Home Traditionally in Cincinnati While the Cincinnati real estate market has been strong in recent years, selling through traditional methods is not always the easiest route. Homeowners often encounter various challenges, including: 1. Lengthy Time on the Market Even in a hot market, selling a home can take weeks or even months. Traditional sales require listing the property, waiting for buyers, negotiating offers, and completing inspections. The longer your home sits on the market, the more stressful and uncertain the process becomes. 2. Expensive Repairs and Renovations Buyers today expect homes to be in excellent condition before making an offer. If your home needs repairs or upgrades, you may be forced to spend thousands of dollars on renovations before even listing it. 3. Unpredictable Closing Process Even after accepting an offer, the closing process can be unpredictable. Buyers often require financing, which can result in delays if their mortgage approval falls through. Inspections and appraisals may lead to price reductions or deal cancellations. 4. High Real Estate Commissions and Fees Real estate agents typically charge 5-6% of the final sale price in commissions. That means if you sell your home for $300,000, you could end up paying $15,000-$18,000 in agent fees alone, not including closing costs and other expenses. 5. Constant Showings and Disruptions Selling a home traditionally means keeping your home spotless at all times, allowing potential buyers to tour your property on short notice, and dealing with open houses. This can be incredibly inconvenient and time-consuming, especially if you’re living in the home while selling. For homeowners looking for a faster, more efficient selling process, alternative selling methods can help you avoid these common pitfalls. 2. Alternative Ways to Sell Your Home Quickly in Cincinnati Fortunately, there are better ways to sell your home without dealing with the headaches of a traditional sale. These alternatives can save you time, money, and stress. 1. Sell Your Home to a Direct Buyer (Cash Buyer) One of the fastest and simplest ways to sell a house in Cincinnati is to sell directly to a cash buyer or a home-buying company. Cash buyers purchase homes in any condition and eliminate the need for repairs, staging, or showings. Benefits of Selling to a Cash Buyer: ✔ Fast Closing (Often in 7-14 Days)✔ No Need for Repairs or Renovations✔ No Agent Commissions or Fees✔ Guaranteed Sale (No Financing Contingencies)✔ Sell Your Home As-Is If you’re in a hurry to sell your home without delays or uncertainty, this is one of the best options available. 2. Sell Your Home to an Investor Real estate investors buy homes for rental income or resale. Many investors purchase properties in as-is condition, making it an ideal option for sellers who don’t want to invest in repairs or updates. Investors often offer flexible closing timelines and cash offers, making this a great option for those looking to sell quickly and efficiently. 3. Sell Through an iBuyer iBuyers (instant buyers) use technology to provide instant cash offers on homes. These companies use algorithms to assess property values and offer a competitive price within 24-48 hours. Pros of iBuyers:✔ Quick home evaluation and offer process✔ No need for multiple showings✔ Competitive cash offers However, iBuyers often charge service fees (similar to agent commissions) and only buy homes that meet their criteria. If your home needs repairs or doesn’t fit their model, this may not be the best option. 3. Why a Direct Sale is the Best Option for Many Homeowners in Cincinnati For many Cincinnati homeowners, selling directly to a cash buyer or investor is the most efficient and stress-free way to sell a home. This option allows you to avoid the common challenges of traditional real estate transactions. Selling your house directly is especially beneficial if:✔ You need to sell fast due to job relocation, divorce, or financial hardship.✔ Your home needs repairs that you can’t afford to make.✔ You don’t want to pay agent commissions and fees.✔ You want to skip showings and open houses.✔ You prefer a guaranteed cash sale instead of dealing with financing approvals. If you’re considering selling your home the easy way, you can explore more information and resources here on how to get started with a direct home sale. 4. How to Get Started with a Fast and Simple Home Sale If you’re ready to sell your home quickly and efficiently, follow these simple steps: Step 1: Find a Reputable Cash Buyer or Home Buying Company Look for trusted home-buying companies in Cincinnati with positive reviews, fair offers, and no hidden fees. Step 2: Request a Free, No-Obligation Cash Offer Most direct home buyers will assess your home’s condition and provide a cash offer within 24-48 hours. Step 3: Accept the Offer and Choose Your Closing Date Once you accept an offer, you can set your own closing date. Many buyers allow sellers to close in as little as 7 days or give flexibility if they need more time to move. Step 4: Get Paid and Move On At closing, you’ll receive your cash payment without the hassle of agent fees, commissions, or last-minute negotiations. Final Thoughts: Selling
