Sustainable refurbishment specialist, Better Green Living, has been appointed to design the new canalside development at the UK’s largest live indoor arena, Co-op Live in Manchester. The 2,000 sq ft multi-functional hospitality space will enhance the visitor experience, creating a vibrant social hub for concertgoers, event attendees, and the community.
The long-awaited transformation of West Wickham Leisure Centre has taken a major step forward, with a revised planning application submitted for a partial rebuild of the popular facility. The London Borough of Bromley has appointed Alliance Leisure to oversee the £22 million modernisation, with Etec Group confirmed as the main
The capabilities of Siemens Cerberus PRO to perform effectively in harsh environmental conditions is being demonstrated in a project to protect one of North London’s busiest recycling facilities. Islington Waste Recycling Centre is operated by Islington Council and is one of seven refuse and recycling sites in North London which
International toy retailer POP MART is preparing to open its largest UK store yet at Liverpool ONE, marking the brand’s debut in the city. Located on Upper South John Street, close to KENJI and MINISO, the new 6,200 sq ft store will showcase POP MART’s extensive range of collectable blind
Award-winning homebuilder Spitfire Homes has acquired a prominent 1.28-acre site in Edgbaston, Birmingham, the latest addition to its expanding Bespoke Collection of high-specification residences. Planning permission has been secured to redevelop the site into a collection of design-led, sustainable homes. Site clearance and demolition works will begin immediately, with construction
Building Systems UK, a Tata Steel enterprise, are one of the leading envelope and structural flooring and decking manufacturers in the country. With a mission to ‘shape the future of sustainable buildings’ – Building Systems UK recognises that the decarbonisation of construction products in the UK is essential to our
Award-winning property management agent Rendall & Rittner has recently appointed Dave Williams to the role of Client Accounting Director. In his new role, Dave will be responsible for optimising financial processes at Rendall & Rittner, an RICS-regulated company committed to delivering full financial compliance to its clients. Dave has also
The British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) is proud to reaffirm its ongoing commitment to championing engineering excellence across the pump sector through its highly regarded and long-standing annual awards programme. The 2026 Pump Industry Awards are now open for entries, and the BPMA is calling on the industry to get
Sustainable refurbishment specialist, Better Green Living, has been appointed to design the new canalside development at the UK’s largest live indoor arena, Co-op Live in Manchester. The 2,000 sq ft multi-functional hospitality space will enhance the visitor experience, creating a vibrant social hub for concertgoers, event attendees, and the community. This major contract win marks a pivotal moment in Better Green Living’s expansion within the commercial sector. The company is leading all aspects of project management, contractor coordination, and on-site execution to ensure a smooth and efficient build. Its expertise in commercial and student accommodation retrofitting has established it as a trusted name for sustainable, design-led construction in high-footfall environments. The development is designed to accommodate up to 500 guests and will feature a bar, café, dedicated seating areas, a merchandise store, kitchens and innovative beer walls to streamline service. Breaking from traditional construction methods, the canalside development is a 100% new build using repurposed shipping containers, reflecting Better Green Living’s commitment to sustainability. Every material is carefully sourced for recyclability and environmental provenance, ensuring the structure can be repurposed at the end of its minimum 10-year operational lifespan. The modular, container-based structure provides flexibility in design, creating a dynamic and visually striking hospitality hub. The project will mimic the aesthetic of Co-op Live, featuring a mesh-clad façade and multi-level arrangement, blending seamlessly with the arena’s industrial-chic architecture. Designed as a pre- and post-show destination, as well as a year-round community hub, the development will offer an engaging mix of entertainment, hospitality and retail – ensuring visitors enjoy a world-class experience outside the main arena. Edward Parsons, Co- Founder and Managing Director at Better Green Living, said: “Our ethos focuses on creating innovative spaces that prioritise sustainability without compromising on experience. Designing a venue for Co-op Live is an exciting opportunity to showcase how environmentally conscious construction can go hand-in-hand with exceptional design. As the commercial sector embraces more sustainable ways to build, this project proves that creative solutions can successfully balance function, aesthetics and sustainability while shaping the future of temporary venue spaces.” Better Green Living, part of Better Green Group, is a specialist refurbishment company dedicated to sustainable retrofitting and commercial fit-outs. Known for delivering high-profile refurbishment projects for King’s College London, the company continues to strengthen its reputation as a leader in environmentally conscious construction. To find out more, visit: www.better-greenliving.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The long-awaited transformation of West Wickham Leisure Centre has taken a major step forward, with a revised planning application submitted for a partial rebuild of the popular facility. The London Borough of Bromley has appointed Alliance Leisure to oversee the £22 million modernisation, with Etec Group confirmed as the main contractor. Plans include a brand-new café, modernised gym, upgraded reception area, refurbished changing rooms and a state-of-the-art competition-length swimming pool. The centre was closed last year after initial structural assessments identified significant issues. Enabling works, including asbestos removal, have already been completed, paving the way for demolition to begin in the coming weeks, subject to final planning approval. Approval for the works was granted at a council meeting in July. Alongside the rebuild, refurbishment is continuing on the rest of the centre, with particular attention given to the learner pool. Councillor Yvonne Bear, executive councillor for renewal, recreation and housing, said: “We are in a fairly unique position among local authorities of being able to press ahead with a substantial investment in our leisure provision, and I know many residents will be excited to see further progress on site shortly as we secure this centre for many years to come.” The revised plans were developed after further structural inspections, made possible by the asbestos removal, revealed that part of the building was beyond economic repair. This section will now be demolished and rebuilt to modern standards. Although the updated schedule means the centre is expected to reopen in early 2028, the council says the investment will provide greater long-term certainty and help reduce future maintenance costs, ensuring West Wickham Leisure Centre continues to serve the community for decades to come. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The capabilities of Siemens Cerberus PRO to perform effectively in harsh environmental conditions is being demonstrated in a project to protect one of North London’s busiest recycling facilities. Islington Waste Recycling Centre is operated by Islington Council and is one of seven refuse and recycling sites in North London which collectively manage 820,000 tonnes of waste and recycling each year. Such facilities present their own specific challenges in terms of effective fire detection, with the scale of the problem illustrated by what are referred to as 300 ‘significant fires’ attended throughout the UK by the fire and rescue services annually.[1] Waste sites process mixed recyclable waste which is collected, sorted, stockpiled and processed from a number of materials including plastics, paper, cardboard, wood and rubber. Many are highly combustible and susceptible to potential ignition from the processing machinery through which they are handled. The Islington Waste Recycling Centre had an existing 20-year-old fire detection system which required a significant upgrade to meet the new challenges of waste management, including the proliferation of disposable vapes and the threat of battery fires which are proving a more recent addition to the fire risk. TP Fire and Security is a long-standing provider of fire detection and alarm services to the Islington Council. From its three offices in Norfolk, London and the Midlands, TP offers a nationwide service in the design, installation and maintenance of fire safety systems. The company has been part of the Siemens approved partner programme for a year, having identified the opportunity to work with Siemens when Tom Warner joined the business as a fire safety engineer. Tom had previous experience of partnering with Siemens and when the Islington project came up, he recognised the potential for employing the Cerberus PRO system. One of the challenges of the waste site was the inevitable dusty environment. Siemens ASA (advanced signal analysis) detectors match the conditions of a particular site through their application-specific ASA parameter function. This allows the detectors to distinguish between a real fire and deceptive phenomena such as dust, thereby providing immunity from false alarms. Kevin Harris is Technical Design Manager at TP Fire and Security. Commenting on the project he said – “The Cerberus Pro system was perfect for this environment, with the detectors’ particular capability to operate in such a dusty environment. The project went very well, taking some seven days to complete, all while the waste facility was open and operational.” Three Cerberus PRO panels are operating across the site, interfacing with Siemens ASA detectors and call-points through the existing compliant cabling. 69 ASA detectors are located in the basement, 38 on the ground floor, 52 on the first and second floors (including the plant room), 74 in the tipping hall and 42 in the offices. Siemens has extensive experience of protecting similar waste processing facilities worldwide and worked closely with TP Fire and Security to develop a comprehensive solution which meets all fire safety regulations and standards. The Cerberus PRO system provides quick and reliable protection in the small window that exists to react and prevent a small fire becoming a potentially major incident in such a harsh and hazardous environment. [1] NFCC (National Fire Chiefs Council) For further information on Siemens Smart Infrastructure – Buildings www.siemens.co.uk/cerberus For further information on Siemens Smart Infrastructure, please seewww.siemens.com/smart-infrastructure Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
International toy retailer POP MART is preparing to open its largest UK store yet at Liverpool ONE, marking the brand’s debut in the city. Located on Upper South John Street, close to KENJI and MINISO, the new 6,200 sq ft store will showcase POP MART’s extensive range of collectable blind boxes, featuring exclusive characters and popular lines such as The Monsters, widely known as ‘Labubus’. Rob Deacon, director of asset management at Liverpool ONE, Landsec, commented: “With regular sell-out product launches, POP MART has proven a viral sensation, and the store is set to appeal to a wide range of consumers across the North West. The brand launching its biggest UK store yet will provide yet another distinct point of difference to the destination, reinforcing Liverpool ONE’s position as a go-to location for globally renowned brands and one of the leading retail and entertainment destinations in the UK.” The opening adds to a strong run of new signings and store launches at Liverpool ONE, which is enjoying its busiest year for retail additions since 2008. Recent openings include MINISO, Sephora, TFG London, and Uniqlo. In 2025, the destination is set to welcome over 25 brands, covering more than 100,000 sq ft in total. CBRE, Colliers, and Time Retail Partners acted on behalf of Liverpool ONE, while Cushman & Wakefield represented POP MART. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning homebuilder Spitfire Homes has acquired a prominent 1.28-acre site in Edgbaston, Birmingham, the latest addition to its expanding Bespoke Collection of high-specification residences. Planning permission has been secured to redevelop the site into a collection of design-led, sustainable homes. Site clearance and demolition works will begin immediately, with construction expected to begin later this year. The scheme will feature a mixture of one- and two-bedroom apartments, alongside four-bedroom semi-detached townhouses, reflecting Spitfire’s signature approach to thoughtful design and contemporary living. A selection of properties will be delivered through the First Homes Scheme to support local housing needs. As part of the scheme, Spitfire will also contribute more than £100,000 towards local community infrastructure. Matt Vincent, Operations Director at Spitfire Homes, said: “Our decision to return to Edgbaston is a strategic one, building on the success of our previous scheme at Beaufort and the growing demand for high-quality, design-led homes. This latest acquisition strengthens our commitment to expanding our Bespoke Collection in the region’s most desirable postcodes, delivering contemporary living with exceptional architectural detail. We see strong, long-term potential in Birmingham’s premium suburbs and are actively seeking new opportunities across the Midlands that align with the vision of our growing portfolio.” Adrian Willet from Furlong Land Limited added: “Harrison’s Road is an outstanding brownfield site on one of Edgbaston’s most prestigious roads, and the planning permission secured by Calthorpe Estates earlier this year has unlocked its full potential. Furlong Land was proud to act as selling agent, and we’re pleased to see the site now in the hands of Spitfire Homes. With their track record for delivering distinctive, high-specification schemes, we’re confident they will create a truly exceptional development that reflects the quality of this location.” Located within walking distance of Edgbaston Village and Harborne High Street, the new scheme will offer residents a rare opportunity to buy in one of Birmingham’s most prestigious postcodes known for its top-rated schools, independent restaurants and local parks. The site also benefits from excellent transport links into Birmingham city centre. For more information on Spitfire Homes, visit: https://spitfirehomes.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building Systems UK, a Tata Steel enterprise, are one of the leading envelope and structural flooring and decking manufacturers in the country. With a mission to ‘shape the future of sustainable buildings’ – Building Systems UK recognises that the decarbonisation of construction products in the UK is essential to our sector and the country. That objective took a significant step forward last month with the ground breaking ceremony on our new £1.25 billion Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) at Port Talbot steelworks – the centrepiece of Tata Steel UK’s green steelmaking programme. The event was attended by Tata Sons and Tata Steel Chairman Mr N. Chandrasekaran and Tata Steel CEO & MD Mr T.V. Narendran. The UK government was represented by the Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade who addressed the ceremony: “This is a hugely ambitious transformation. We should acknowledge the difficult times, but also use that as fuel for future success.” “This government is committed to a bright future for our steel industry, which is why we provided £500 million of funding to make this project possible. Our modern Industrial Strategy will set out how we’ll back the sector even further to drive growth and create well-paid jobs across the country, as part of our Plan for Change.” The new EAF, set to be one of the biggest in the world, will melt recycled steel scrap to make new steel and is set to be commissioned at the end of 2027. It is expected to reduce Port Talbot’s carbon emissions by approximately 90%, equivalent to 5 million tonnes of CO₂ per year, with a corresponding 50% reduction in the product carbon footprint, while securing high-quality sustainable steel production, and supporting 5,000 UK jobs directly. Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Mr Chandrasekaran said: “This is an important day for Tata Group, Tata Steel and for the UK. Today’s groundbreaking marks not just the beginning of a new Electric Arc Furnace, but a new era for sustainable manufacturing in Britain. Members of the ground breaking ceremony included Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens, Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan, Trade Unions representatives and employees. The Port Talbot EAF will be one of the largest in the world, melting UK-sourced scrap steel to produce 3 million tonnes of steel per year. As part of Tata Steel UK’s broader decarbonisation strategy, the project also includes new ladle metallurgy facilities, infrastructure upgrades, and partnerships with leading technology providers such as Tenova, ABB and Clecim with construction being led by main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine. New low emissions construction products manufactured from our EAF steel, such as our ComFlor® Structural Steel Decking and our Trisomet® insulated panel systems will help Building Systems UK play its part in the transformation of the UK construction sector – and ‘shape the future of sustainable buildings’. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning property management agent Rendall & Rittner has recently appointed Dave Williams to the role of Client Accounting Director. In his new role, Dave will be responsible for optimising financial processes at Rendall & Rittner, an RICS-regulated company committed to delivering full financial compliance to its clients. Dave has also been appointed to the Board of Directors at Rendall & Rittner, where he will play a pivotal role in ensuring the company continues to meet the evolving needs of its clients and customers. Having worked within Corporate Real Estate for over 25 years and in Client Accounting for more than 20 years most recently for JLL, Montagu Evans and HSBC, Dave has developed an in-depth understanding of the specific financial elements affecting the property sector. Dave’s experience operating with a range of large and prestigious clients has also ensured that he has exemplary communication, stakeholder engagement and client relationship skills that will prove highly useful in this new role. As Client Accounting Director, Dave will focus on enhancing service delivery for both clients and internal customers. Reflecting Rendall & Rittner’s focus on delivering high-quality, professional services that simplify the lives of its customers, Dave will look to develop strong client relationships, allowing him to understand individual businesses and their priorities in order to deliver a more tailored service. Discussing his new role, Dave comments: “In my new role as Client Accounting Director, I am looking forward to using my extensive industry experience within the residential property management sector. Rendall & Rittner has a growing reputation for being a technology-enabled company and I am excited to see how future advances in this area will impact how we work and further enhance the services we deliver to our clients.” Richard Daver, Co-CEO of Rendall & Rittner comments: “Dave’s extensive experience from across the property industry means that he has a strong understanding of the unique challenges faced by the sector and our clients. As we continue to grow, we are delighted to be welcoming Dave as Client Accounting Director and as a member of the Board so that his expertise can play a role in shaping our future strategy.” For further information please visit: www.rendallandrittner.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) is proud to reaffirm its ongoing commitment to championing engineering excellence across the pump sector through its highly regarded and long-standing annual awards programme. The 2026 Pump Industry Awards are now open for entries, and the BPMA is calling on the industry to get involved and celebrate the innovations, individuals, and initiatives that continue to power this vital sector. Set to take place on Thursday 19th March 2026 at the prestigious Hilton at St. George’s Park, Burton upon Trent, the gala awards evening will once again provide a unique platform to recognise, reward, and promote the outstanding achievements that continue to shape the UK pump industry. With a strong heritage of acknowledging technical excellence, sustainability, innovation, and service, the Pump Industry Awards programme plays a key role in supporting professional recognition while delivering superb promotional value for all participating companies and individuals. Shortlisted entries and winners alike benefit from high-profile exposure before, during, and after the event—across trade media, online platforms, and through sector-wide engagement. Entries Now Open – Don’t Miss the Deadline If you, your team, your company, or your innovations have made a difference in the pump industry over the past 18 months, now is the time to step forward. The entry deadline is Friday 28th November 2025, and submitting a nomination is a clear statement of pride in your work and a strategic opportunity to raise your industry profile. The online entry forms are available at www.pumpindustryawards.com and are designed to make the process simple and accessible. Submissions should relate to activities and achievements within the 18-month period leading up to the deadline. Award Categories Include: Product of the Year – Sponsored by Plant & Works Engineering Project of the Year – Sponsored by World Pumps Environmental Contribution of the Year – Sponsored by SPP Pumps Manufacturer of the Year – Sponsored by WEG UK Distributor of the Year (<£3M & >£3M) – Sponsored by Calpeda & Caprari Supplier of the Year – Sponsored by Wilo Contribution to Skills & Training – Sponsored by ABB Rising Star Award – Sponsored by Innomotics Sustainable Contribution for a Better World – Sponsored by AESSEAL The BPMA is once again honoured to have the continued support of leading industry names, who understand the importance of recognising excellence across this essential sector. Additional thanks go to Brook Crompton for sponsoring the Drinks Reception, and to Apex Pumps for supporting the always-popular Survivors Breakfast. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for companies looking to align themselves with the very best in pump engineering and innovation. Wayne Rose, Director and CEO of the BPMA, commented: “Pumps and related systems underpin so many of the essential services we all rely on—from water and energy to food production and transportation. The BPMA is proud to support an awards programme that celebrates the expertise, creativity, and dedication driving this crucial sector forward. I strongly encourage all those involved in the pump industry to submit their entries and help showcase the best of our profession.” For more information on the 2026 Pump Industry Awards, including how to enter or become a sponsor, please visit www.pumpindustryawards.com or contact Event Director, Andrew Castle, on 07785 290034 or via andrew@touchwavemedia.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
