Superdrug has continued its UK expansion in 2025 with the opening of several large-format stores, including a flagship unit at Guildford’s Ladymead Retail Park. The 8,000 sq ft site is part of a broader investment strategy aimed at strengthening the retailer’s national footprint while evolving the customer experience. As part
The British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) new scientific support and operations facility, the Discovery Building, is now coming into operational use at Rothera Research Station in Antarctica. Marking a major milestone for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP), the facility consolidates the UK’s position in global polar research. Built to operate
Developer working with Bristol City Council to tackle the housing crisis as part of UN Smart Cities Challenge Work on a pioneering scheme to deliver affordable and sustainable housing across five sites in Bristol has started after receiving planning permission from Bristol City Council. Social and affordable housing developer EDAROTH
Aberdeen City Council has taken ownership of its new £29 million New Riverbank School, built using a cross laminated timber (CLT) frame, following successful delivery by Robertson Construction Eastern. The 6,784m² (73,000ft²), three-stream school provides a high-quality learning environment for up to 651 primary-age pupils, alongside early learning and nursery
RSK Group is continuing to support major UK carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects with eight RSK businesses appointed to contribute to the delivery of CO₂ transportation and storage infrastructure designed to facilitate the HyNet CO₂ pipeline. The RSK businesses have been appointed by United Living Group. Its subsidiary, United
Superdrug has continued its UK expansion in 2025 with the opening of several large-format stores, including a flagship unit at Guildford’s Ladymead Retail Park. The 8,000 sq ft site is part of a broader investment strategy aimed at strengthening the retailer’s national footprint while evolving the customer experience. As part of parent company A.S. Watson Group’s growth vision, Superdrug is on track to open 25 new stores across the UK this year, a continuation of its store investment programme launched in 2023. The focus remains on locations with high footfall potential and strong transport connectivity, including prominent retail parks, shopping centres, and revitalised high streets. The new Guildford store combines retail space with experiential offerings, including an in-store studio offering treatments such as nails, lashes, and piercings. This aligns with Superdrug’s strategy of integrating health and beauty services into physical stores to create more engaging, service-led shopping environments. The move reflects a growing trend among health and beauty retailers to prioritise flexibility in layout and experience-driven formats—elements that appeal particularly to Gen Z and millennial consumers. Superdrug’s property team continues to work with national consultants such as GCW and legal advisors Womble Bond Dickinson to secure units that offer long-term growth potential and local community benefit. Clare Jennings, Property Director at Superdrug, noted earlier this year that the focus remains on opening stores in locations that “deliver value and convenience, while supporting employment and creating destination experiences for our customers.” Beyond new store openings, Superdrug has committed to refurbishing a number of existing sites in 2025, ensuring consistency in brand presentation and adapting to evolving consumer expectations. Sustainability also features strongly in the programme, with new stores increasingly designed to incorporate energy-efficient lighting, eco-friendly refrigeration, and responsible fit-out materials. With further announcements expected over the summer, Superdrug’s property strategy shows how established high street retailers are adapting with confidence—leveraging physical space as both a commercial and community asset in a changing retail landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) new scientific support and operations facility, the Discovery Building, is now coming into operational use at Rothera Research Station in Antarctica. Marking a major milestone for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP), the facility consolidates the UK’s position in global polar research. Built to operate year-round in one of the planet’s most extreme environments, the Discovery Building serves as the beating heart of Rothera. It brings together advanced facilities and critical services all under one roof, and will support science focused on climate, biodiversity and the Southern Ocean, ensuring Rothera’s polar research capabilities for decades to come. Features of the new Discovery Building include: The achievement comes as the AIMP continues to make progress with the final phase of construction ahead of the building’s formal handover later this year. The Discovery Building is already generating its own power and water, also acts as an IT hub, and is now distributing these essential site-wide services to other buildings across Rothera. These upgrades will help contribute towards BAS’ aim to reduce Rothera’s carbon emissions by an estimated 25%. As a result, BAS teams can operate safely and efficiently from the Discovery Building over the upcoming Antarctic winter, where staff can spend up to 24 hours in darkness. A core team will remain on station throughout the winter to prepare the building for full handover during the 2025/2026 season. The new facility will also improve the quality of life for BAS staff based in Rothera. New, modern shared spaces, updated amenities, and smarter building systems will make daily routines, easier, more efficient and safer, supporting the productivity and camaraderie of the Rothera community that is essential to life in such a remote and isolated environment. Elen Jones, AIMP Programme Director, British Antarctic Survey, said: “This is a defining moment for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme. An operational Discovery Building marks the culmination of years of planning, collaboration, and innovation. This new facility is set to transform how we operate to enable science in the region and ensures BAS remains at the forefront of global efforts to understand and protect our changing planet.” Huw Jones, Executive Director at BAM, said: “Delivering a building of this stature in such a beautiful yet demanding environment is truly remarkable. Seeing the Discovery Building come to life is a testament to the precision, planning and commitment of everyone involved. With critical systems in the facility now operational, this milestone demonstrates the real-world impact of construction in Antarctica — supporting science, sustaining life and setting new standards in remote delivery. It reflects our commitment to building a sustainable tomorrow.” The AIMP is a long-term programme to support the UK’s polar research capabilities. Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the AIMP will enable the UK to continue to deliver climate, biodiversity and ocean research and innovation in Antarctica. Together with the commissioning of the RRS Sir David Attenborough, the AIMP represents the largest Government investment in polar science infrastructure since the 1980s. The programme is delivered in partnership with construction partners BAM, Ramboll, Sweco, G&A Barnie Group, Turner & Townsend and Hugh Broughton Architects. Find out more: https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/aimp/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer working with Bristol City Council to tackle the housing crisis as part of UN Smart Cities Challenge Work on a pioneering scheme to deliver affordable and sustainable housing across five sites in Bristol has started after receiving planning permission from Bristol City Council. Social and affordable housing developer EDAROTH (an acronym for Everyone Deserves a Roof Over Their Head) is leading the design, production and delivery of 25 net zero homes as the pilot for a new model for providing council housing in Bristol – as part of its involvement in the UN Habitat Climate Smart Cities challenge. The new homes will be a mix of 13 houses and 12 apartments and will be developed by EDAROTH using offsite manufacturing methods to create low energy-use homes which are net zero in use and will provide much needed social housing for the city. These homes are being delivered as part of the council’s New Home programme being led by the council’s Housing Delivery team. Work is now starting on five sites on land owned by the council, using the innovative approach from EDAORTH (part of AtkinsRéalis) which involves manufacturing the majority of parts offsite in a UK factory and delivering them to the site reducing the carbon impact of the development process. This approach also ensures the homes will be delivered up to 50% more quickly compared with traditional methods of construction – with minimal disruption to residents living near the development sites. Councillor Barry Parsons, Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, said: “The delivery of new council homes is really important for the city, and I am delighted to see our Housing Delivery Team exploring new and innovative means of building homes with partners such as EDAROTH. “The learning from this and other projects will help drive delivery across small sites in the city, allowing us to make best use of our land to meet our priority housing need. “The Climate Smart Cities Challenge has allowed us to look at delivering new homes on small sites which are integrated into existing communities, and with the highest levels of sustainability and energy performance for the people who live there. This is something to be really celebrated.” The homes will be produced to the highest quality to ensure they are built to last, and they are expected to meet and exceed the Future Homes Standard coming into force this year, as well as meeting EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) A+. Mark Powell, Managing Director at EDAROTH, added: “Like cities around the country, Bristol faces a huge demand for affordable homes. This scheme is really an exemplar of how local authorities can work in partnership to address the national housing crisis effectively, while at the same time reduce the level of local authority spend on temporary accommodation. “We’re looking forward to starting work on this scheme which not only supports the city council’s ambition to meet demand for housing but also aims to provide homes where people need them, to enhance communities and create thriving places to live.” The agreement between EDAROTH and Bristol City Council is based on an award-winning approach developed by the council, and the One City team, with partners including the Housing Festival, AtkinsRéalis and EDAROTH, as one of four winning projects in the UN Habitat Climate Smart Cities Challenge. Part of the challenge includes the delivery of new housing projects to illustrate how aggregating small sites for development, and overcoming systemic barriers, could unlock sites to deliver truly affordable social housing. Work is due to be completed by Spring 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aberdeen City Council has taken ownership of its new £29 million New Riverbank School, built using a cross laminated timber (CLT) frame, following successful delivery by Robertson Construction Eastern. The 6,784m² (73,000ft²), three-stream school provides a high-quality learning environment for up to 651 primary-age pupils, alongside early learning and nursery provision for up to 60 children. Facilities include a gym hall, dance studio, dining hall, staff and administration areas, and student support spaces. Robertson led the construction phase of the two-storey school including the design, engineering and build of the frame structure using primarily CLT*. The use of CLT delivered a 2,510 tCO₂e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) reduction in embodied carbon, placing the project as a sector-leading example of low-carbon design. The school has a draft Energy Performance Rating of A. The use of CLT also supported the diversion of 100% of construction waste from landfill. CLT panels are formed by gluing layers of timber at right angles, creating a robust, airtight structure that enhances thermal performance and contributes to consistent indoor comfort. This reduces heat gains and losses throughout the building. The use of natural materials is also associated with improved wellbeing, offering a calmer and more relaxing learning environment for pupils. Extensive soft and hard landscaping was carried out to reduce the visual impact of the two-storey building and integrate it with the existing site topography. A 3G sports pitch, outdoor play and learning spaces were delivered alongside garden areas. Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: “At Robertson, we are committed to creating sustainable, innovative spaces that inspire and support the next generation. The new CLT school at Riverbank Primary is a testament to this vision, and to the commitment shown by the Council to deliver a warm, natural environment that enhances wellbeing and has been proven to enhance attainment. “Working with the Council to deliver this facility, we’ve not only reduced the environmental impact but also provided pupils and staff with an educational setting where they can truly learn, play, and achieve together.” Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “I am pleased that we have now received the keys to our new Riverbank School and that council staff are working hard to ensure pupils can access the building from next month. “The new school will provide top-class facilities for all of its pupils including a 3G sports pitch and external outdoor play. It will be a fantastic learning facility for pupils at the start of their learning journey.” Built on the site of the former Tillydrone Infant School and on part of the former St Machar Primary School site, the New Riverbank opened in mid-May allowing pupils of the existing Riverbank to decant to the new school before summer recess. *3159.13 m3 CLT plus 91.01 m3 Glulam. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RSK Group is continuing to support major UK carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects with eight RSK businesses appointed to contribute to the delivery of CO₂ transportation and storage infrastructure designed to facilitate the HyNet CO₂ pipeline. The RSK businesses have been appointed by United Living Group. Its subsidiary, United Living Energy Limited, part of its infrastructure services business (ULIS), has been selected by Liverpool Bay CCS Limited (LBCCS), a member of the global energy tech company Eni, as one of the primary contractors to deliver CO₂ transportation and storage (T&S) infrastructure. The ULIS project is worth approximately £250 million over a three-year period and will create 300 roles across the supply chain. United Living has said that the facility will be instrumental in enabling the landmark HyNet CO₂ pipeline, which aims to unlock a low carbon economy for North West England and North Wales. The pipeline will be the first step in unlocking the benefits and ambitions of the wider HyNet North West project and achieving the UK’s net zero target by 2050. The project comprises 34 km of new pipeline (with the additional repurposing of an existing 24 km) running from Ince, Cheshire, near RSK’s head office at Helsby, to Point of Ayr in North Wales. RSK’s support of this project follows the recent completion of another carbon capture initiative involving 12 group businesses. These RSK companies supported Heidelberg Materials UK’s successful planning application for the company’s Padeswood CCS project in North Wales – the first carbon capture enabled cement works in the UK. Speaking about the new Liverpool Bay CCS project, RSK Environment Director Rob Domeney explained that the HyNet CO₂ pipeline would take CO₂ captured by industrial emitters across the region and transport it through new and repurposed infrastructure to permanent storage in depleted natural gas reservoirs under the seabed in Liverpool Bay. RSK’s work began in September 2024 and is expected to continue until the completion of construction in June 2027. Rob said: “This project is incredibly exciting for RSK. The group has been working on pipeline and related projects for more than 30 years and has a long history of working at sites across the North West, including at Protos Ince, Stanlow and Padeswood. “We are also contributing to a large number of CCS projects nationwide at all phases of development, from optioneering, feasibility and consents strategy, through consenting, development consent order (DCO) and environmental impact assessment (EIA), to pre-construction and construction support. With this project, we are delivering against a series of deadlines with various DCO requirements and secondary consents, protected species licences and other inputs required before construction can commence. But this is where the teams’ experience really comes into its own and our ability as a group to pool our multidisciplinary resources is very effective.” He confirmed that RSK has been contracted to provide pre-construction and construction environmental support to the project. The wider RSK team includes environmental management staff seconded into the project to help deliver construction environmental management plans and related documentation and secondary consents such as environmental permits and to coordinate the various environmental teams involved. Rob added: “In addition, the project will use more than 50 RSK colleagues across the group to provide ecological surveys, licences and mitigation, archaeological mitigation, advice and support on ground contamination, mining, groundwater and surface water, flood risk planning, landscape design and management and noise, air quality and arboriculture inputs. “RSK Group companies supporting the project include RSK Biocensus (ecology), Headland Archaeology, RSK Geosciences (coal mining, contamination, surface water/groundwater monitoring and materials management plans), LDE (flood risk and hydrology), ADAS (arboriculture and soil survey), Stephenson Halliday (landscape design), RSK Acoustics and Ian Farmer Associates. “The project is in its early stages, with a number of survey teams on-site and ecological and archaeological mitigation in progress, as well as a comprehensive ground investigation programme. Headland Archaeology has 2 teams of archaeologists working on the project and expects its work will involve 276 archaeological trial trenches. Once the initial phases of our work are complete, we look forward to supporting the ULIS team into full construction.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
