Marks & Spencer is ramping up its transformation strategy with record levels of investment across both its store estate and food supply chain, underpinning its ambition to deliver long-term growth and become a destination for the weekly shop. This financial year, M&S is investing more than £300 million into its
UK’s largest hotel company signs agreement for lease with Frank Capital for prominent Lower Bristol Road site Whitbread plc, the UK’s largest hospitality business and owner of Premier Inn, has committed to opening a second Premier Inn hotel in Bath city centre after signing an agreement for lease with Frank
Chopstix has opened a new restaurant in Hull, marking its first location in the Yorkshire city. Situated on the corner of King Edward Street and Jameson Street, the new store features the quick-service restaurant brand’s refreshed design identity and upgraded operational systems, creating a more efficient and engaging customer experience.
Provider iQ Student Accommodation offers new benchmark for University of Warwick students at iQ Longwood Place. A landmark £100m student accommodation scheme adjacent to the University of Warwick has reached a major milestone, completing its first phase of 572 beds. Developed by Topland Group and McLaren Property, and delivered by
Plans to deliver 124 much-needed Extra Care apartments in South Shields have this week been given the green light by South Tyneside’s planning committee. The much-needed specialist accommodation, to be developed by Karbon Homes in partnership with South Tyneside Council, will be built on the site of the former Chuter
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has commenced works on the Carholme Road and A46/A57 roundabout scheme in Lincoln. Marking Winvic’s fourth project awarded under the Lincolnshire County Council Highways Framework, Winvic
Neville Special Projects, the long-established specialist Luton-based contractor and part of the Neville Trust Group of Companies, has secured a new £11.6 million contract – for the design and build refurbishment of Hangars 60, 127, and 9 at London Luton Airport (LLA). This contract award follows a highly competitive tender
Snap Fitness has marked a major milestone with the opening of its 100th UK gym in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, as the franchised operator continues its rapid nationwide expansion. Since launching its first UK site in Sittingbourne, Kent, in 2012, the brand has grown to 106 gyms across the UK and Ireland,
Now and again, homes need just a little bit of updating. With the passing of the years, living rooms can start feeling stale or be at odds with the way we enjoy spending our free hours. Since hobbies are part of our passion and creativity, why not redefine your home
Marks & Spencer is ramping up its transformation strategy with record levels of investment across both its store estate and food supply chain, underpinning its ambition to deliver long-term growth and become a destination for the weekly shop. This financial year, M&S is investing more than £300 million into its store rotation programme, with 16 new openings, nine extensions, and 12 renewals planned. These projects will showcase the retailer’s latest store formats, designed around brighter entrances, wider aisles, and modern layouts that bring together Food, Fashion, Home, and Beauty in a more engaging environment. Recent examples include the expanded full-line store at Nugent Shopping Park in Orpington, which now spans 37,700 sq ft and features a dedicated beauty hall alongside an enlarged fashion offer. Similar renewals have been delivered in Aberdeen Union Square, Warrington’s Gemini Retail Park, and Liverpool’s Mersey Retail Park, reflecting M&S’s commitment to creating larger, fresher spaces across the UK. In parallel, the business has unveiled the largest supply chain investment in its history, committing £340 million to a new automated National Distribution Centre at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal. At 1.3 million sq ft, the site will open in 2029 and play a pivotal role in supporting M&S’s ambition to double the size of its food business. The facility will enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product availability, while also creating 2,000 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent roles once operational. Combined, these investments illustrate how M&S is modernising both its front-end customer experience and back-end infrastructure. By strengthening its network, expanding its food halls, and rolling out renewed full-line stores, the retailer is positioning itself for sustained growth and sharper customer focus. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK’s largest hotel company signs agreement for lease with Frank Capital for prominent Lower Bristol Road site Whitbread plc, the UK’s largest hospitality business and owner of Premier Inn, has committed to opening a second Premier Inn hotel in Bath city centre after signing an agreement for lease with Frank Capital for a prominent development site on Lower Bristol Road, BA2. The former Beazer House office building, currently vacant, will be demolished to make way for a new six-storey, 68,000 sq ft Premier Inn hotel. The latest-format hotel will feature 152-bedrooms alongside an on-site restaurant and bar on the ground floor. Located within a 10-minute walk of Bath Spa railway station and the city’s iconic Roman Baths, the site is ideally positioned to attract Premier Inn’s leisure guests. Bath welcomes approximately six million overnight and day visitors annually according to Bath and North East Somerset Council[1]. Construction of the new hotel is expected to begin in early 2026, with the hotel targeted to open in 2028. Upon completion, it will expand Premier Inn’s presence in Bath City Centre to two hotels and more than 250 affordable bedrooms. Paul Smith, Acquisition Manager for Whitbread, said: “Securing a new location for our customers in Bath City Centre is a significant achievement in our south-west growth story. There is a well-known undersupply of budget hotel rooms in Bath, and this new location will help us to meet the consistently high, year-round demand we see for Premier Inn bedrooms in city. “Our guests are sure to love the prime, central location, just minutes from world-famous visitor attractions and Bath Spa train station, and we anticipate they will make a significant contribution to the city’s visitor and business economy through their spending during their stay. “We are excited to get construction underway next year and add another superb location to our popular network of hotels in the south-west.” The Lower Bristol Road Premier Inn will feature a mix of Premier Inn’s latest format ‘standard’ rooms as well as its popular ‘enhanced’ Premier Plus bedrooms. Whitbread secured the opportunity to occupy the location following a competitive bidding process. Natasha El Shazly, General Counsel at Frank Capital, said: “We are delighted to have exchanged contracts with Whitbread and now look forward to working with the design team, led by TP Bennett, to deliver an exemplary new build hotel that is both respectful of its significant heritage context and forward thinking in its approach to sustainability.” In line with Whitbread’s sustainability programme, Force For Good, the new Premier Inn is being designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and will be run solely on electricity generated from renewable sources. Whitbread has a published target to reduce the carbon emissions from its direct operations (Scope 1 and 2 emissions) to zero by 2040. The acquisition of the Lower Road site is part of Whitbread’s ongoing expansion of Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn in the UK and Ireland. The company currently offers its customers a choice of 850 locations, and more than 85,000 bedrooms, and sees the potential to grow its hotel network to 125,000 UK and Ireland rooms. Savills led the market engagement for Frank Capital. Whitbread was advised by Sisman Property Consultants. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Chopstix has opened a new restaurant in Hull, marking its first location in the Yorkshire city. Situated on the corner of King Edward Street and Jameson Street, the new store features the quick-service restaurant brand’s refreshed design identity and upgraded operational systems, creating a more efficient and engaging customer experience. The opening is the latest in a wave of expansion for Chopstix, following recent launches in Brighton, Wolverhampton, and Huddersfield. The brand’s nationwide growth has been fuelled by investment from QSR group QSRP in 2023, which continues to back Chopstix’s UK development while also supporting exploration into European opportunities. Menashe Sadik, co-founder and director at Chopstix, said:“We’re delighted to open in Hull, bringing our bold Chinese-inspired flavours to another vibrant UK city centre. With its strong footfall and dynamic retail core, Hull is a fantastic location for our next restaurant, and we are confident it will perform strongly within our portfolio. This expansion reflects the momentum behind the brand as we continue to grow across the country.” The Hull launch further reinforces Chopstix’s position as one of the UK’s fastest-growing quick-service restaurant brands, with a strategy focused on high-traffic locations and delivering an accessible, flavour-led menu to a broad customer base. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Provider iQ Student Accommodation offers new benchmark for University of Warwick students at iQ Longwood Place. A landmark £100m student accommodation scheme adjacent to the University of Warwick has reached a major milestone, completing its first phase of 572 beds. Developed by Topland Group and McLaren Property, and delivered by McLaren Construction Midlands and North on behalf of iQ Student Accommodation, one of the leading providers of purpose-built student accommodation in the UK, the scheme will provide a significant boost to the city’s student accommodation offer for the 2025/26 academic year. iQ Longwood Place will create a student living campus, offering 1,078 high-quality student bedrooms and 131 co-living rooms once phase two completes in spring 2026. The site boasts extensive community, retail, and leisure spaces just minutes from the University of Warwick campus, and is a 15-minute bus ride from Coventry city centre. It also features social spaces in every block including an arcade, lounge, karaoke room, a range of study spaces, a gym and landscaped outdoor social areas. Replacing outdated office buildings and a former multi-storey car park, the development saw the demolition of Avon House, Swift House, and associated structures to make way for nine new residential blocks over the course of the two phases of construction. Designed to harmonise with the natural surroundings, the development incorporates high-specification landscape finishes, tree protection zones, and enhanced green spaces. Designed with sustainability at its core, the development has officially achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating. Environmental best practices were followed, including recycling demolition materials, sustainable waste management via the SmartWaste platform, and careful protection of nearby woodland and watercourses. Throughout construction, McLaren actively engaged with local businesses and residents and worked closely with Coventry City Council to provide on-site work placements and community updates. Gary Cramp, managing director of McLaren Construction Midlands and North, said: “It’s been a pleasure to see iQ Longwood Place take shape with phase one now reaching completion. This is a transformative scheme for Coventry and the student population of the University of Warwick – not only in terms of quality accommodation but also through our investment in sustainability, landscaping, and community benefit. We’ve worked hard to deliver the project safely and to the highest quality standard, and it’s a credit to all involved with iQ Longwood Place. We are looking forward to finishing the remaining phase by next spring.” William Davies, director of asset management at Topland Group, said: “iQ Longwood Place is the result of strong collaboration across the project team and stakeholders. We are proud to be playing our part in delivering a high-quality, purpose-built scheme that will support students and enhance the area for years to come.” Matt Loughlin, chief development officer for iQ Student Accommodation, said: “The completion of the first phase of iQ Longwood Place is a major milestone, delivering high-quality, community-focused student living for the upcoming academic year, just moments from the University of Warwick. We’re proud to offer a space that blends sustainability, comfort and vibrant social experiences. This achievement reflects the effort of everyone involved, and we’re excited to welcome students to their new home.” Bruce Ruddle, divisional managing director for McLaren Property, added: “We’re thrilled to see phase one of iQ Longwood Place fully realised. The finished phase one demonstrates the power of effective partnership combining McLaren Construction’s technical delivery with the vision shared by Topland Group, iQ and ourselves.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans to deliver 124 much-needed Extra Care apartments in South Shields have this week been given the green light by South Tyneside’s planning committee. The much-needed specialist accommodation, to be developed by Karbon Homes in partnership with South Tyneside Council, will be built on the site of the former Chuter Ede school and Ede Community Association. The scheme has been designed to help people with differing levels of care and support needs to live well and independently for longer. 25 of the apartments are specifically designed for people living with dementia. Zoey Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Development Delivery at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s great to have the backing of the South Tyneside Council planning committee to bring this exciting, much-needed scheme to fruition. “This project represents a major commitment from us to provide affordable, high-quality homes in the borough, a modern and welcoming place to live for residents with a number of socially-focused features to help facilitate community cohesion. “We have a great working relationship with South Tyneside’s Adult Social Care and Commissioning, who we have worked with on a number of housing projects that support adults with care and support needs. We look forward to further developing this relationship with them as we take this next project forward.” Karbon has worked with Tyne and Wear based JDDK Architects on the design, with apartments sitting across four storeys laid out around a central communal courtyard. The scheme will be highly energy efficient, with heating and hot water to be powered by air source heat pumps, with additional energy generated through roof mounted solar PV panels. The scheme will also have multi-use spaces for activities, which will be open for community groups to use, alongside a bistro café open to the general public. Bringing more housing of this type to the local authority area forms part of the Council’s wider Adult Social Care Accommodation Strategy, aimed at supporting people who may need care and support to live independently in the community. Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “I’m delighted this development has been given planning permission. “We continue to invest in affordable accommodation that reflects the needs and wants of our communities and allows people to live with dignity and independence in the heart of their communities in a place they can call home. “I’m really looking forward to watching this new facility take shape.” Karbon has appointed Robertson Construction North East as the lead contractor for the project. It will be the second Extra Care facility built by Robertson for Karbon and South Tyneside Council, the first being a 95-apartment scheme in Hebburn town centre. Its delivery will be part-funded by Homes England, through Karbon’s Strategic Partnership with the Government’s housing delivery agency. This strategic partnership is supporting Karbon to deliver 2,324 new affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire by 2028, 10% of which will be new homes for people requiring additional support needs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has commenced works on the Carholme Road and A46/A57 roundabout scheme in Lincoln. Marking Winvic’s fourth project awarded under the Lincolnshire County Council Highways Framework, Winvic will deliver vital infrastructure improvements valued at £1.9 million. Scheduled to run from July to November 2025, the scheme involves complex civil engineering upgrades to Carholme Road – between Nelson Street and the A57 Saxilby Road – as well as the westbound carriageway of the A46 at Carholme Roundabout, including adjoining side roads. This key transport corridor sits in the heart of Lincoln city centre. Key elements of the upgrades include 9,000m² of resurfacing, along with constructing 800m² of new footway and installing 350 metres of new drainage featuring 37 new gullies. Additional works will involve carriageway realignment, kerb improvements, structural pavement replacement, and the application of new road markings and surface course finishes. The scheme will also address minor kerb maintenance and will be undertaken with full traffic management to ensure safety and minimise disruption. As part of its social value commitments to the region, Winvic will be supporting local employment through new roles on the project, previously on other projects on the framework this has included labourers, groundworkers and traffic management roles. Winvic will also be engaging with local schools in the new academic year to deliver careers workshops and engaging STEM activities highlighting engineering and modern methods of construction. Winvic is furthering its community support through volunteering in the local area and is already looking to partner with Lincolnshire County Council to provide its expertise and time to support local community projects. Rob Cook, Winvic’s Managing Director for Civils and Infrastructure, adds: “We are proud to be continuing our partnership with Lincolnshire County Council on this vital highways scheme. Carholme Road and the A46/A57 roundabout are key components of Lincoln’s Road network, and our experienced teams are committed to delivering these works safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to the local community.” Join Winvic on social media – LinkedIn, and Instagram. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Neville Special Projects, the long-established specialist Luton-based contractor and part of the Neville Trust Group of Companies, has secured a new £11.6 million contract – for the design and build refurbishment of Hangars 60, 127, and 9 at London Luton Airport (LLA). This contract award follows a highly competitive tender process and reflects Neville’s reputation and presence in the region, where it has been delivering construction excellence for generations. In 2025, the group celebrates its 150th anniversary, marking a century and a half of continued investment in the local community, workforce and economy. Ben Knight, Construction Director at Neville Special Projects, commented: “This was a tough, highly competitive tender, and the effort the team put in behind the scenes was exceptional. From early engagement through to final submission, the level of collaboration, technical input, and sheer tenacity was second to none. It’s wins like this that really highlight what we can achieve when we pull together with a clear focus and shared purpose. A huge thank you to all involved – this is a fantastic result and a great opportunity to further strengthen our presence with London Luton Airport.” The refurbishment will bring three previously vacant hangars – once operated by Monarch Aircraft Engineering Ltd – back into active use. Built by our founding company T & E Neville Ltd for Monarch in the 1990s, Hangar 60 is set to house a new EasyJet aircraft maintenance facility and apprenticeship training campus, creating over 30 highly skilled engineering roles and supporting up to 40 apprentices annually. As a long-standing employer in Luton, with a previous history of works at the airport backdating to the 1960’s, Neville Special Projects remains committed to creating local opportunities. The company employs a workforce drawn primarily from the surrounding area and runs its own in-house apprenticeship programme, training the next generation of skilled tradespeople and construction professionals, many of whom stay with the business to progress their careers. With a strong track record in delivering complex projects in live operational environments, Neville Special Projects specialises in high-quality refurbishment and new-build schemes across a wide range of sectors including aviation, education, healthcare and commercial. This latest contract reflects the business’s strategic growth and its continued commitment to infrastructure investment in its hometown. The Neville Trust Group of Companies, established originally in Luton by Thomas and Edward Neville in 1875, has been employing people across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire for nearly 150 years. For information about Neville Special Projects, head to the website at https://www.nevillespecialprojects.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Snap Fitness has marked a major milestone with the opening of its 100th UK gym in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, as the franchised operator continues its rapid nationwide expansion. Since launching its first UK site in Sittingbourne, Kent, in 2012, the brand has grown to 106 gyms across the UK and Ireland, outpacing all other franchised gym operators in terms of new openings over the past three years. Its latest wave of growth is being driven by both long-standing franchisees scaling their investment and new partners joining the business at record levels. Kevin Yates, CEO of Snap Fitness EMEA, said: “This is a great landmark for Snap Fitness in the UK which we’re all really proud of. So much hard work has gone into getting the brand to where it is today and we’re all really excited about the direction we’re heading in. We have a fantastic network of franchisees and we’re striving to continue providing them with a product that stands out in the market. Investing in our member experience is a key priority for us and with more technology being integrated into our offering, as well as the upcoming launch of Reformer Pilates, the future is bright for us.” Alongside this landmark opening, Snap Fitness has released its latest property requirements as it targets further locations nationwide. The operator is seeking units between 6,000 and 12,500 sq ft, with a preference for retail park or roadside settings that benefit from nearby free parking. Founded in 2003, Snap Fitness now operates more than 1,000 gyms across over 20 countries and has established itself as the sixth-largest gym operator in the UK and Ireland. It was recently recognised as the fastest-growing UK gym franchise in the 2025 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report, with membership increasing by 18% year-on-year against an industry backdrop of 5.4%. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Now and again, homes need just a little bit of updating. With the passing of the years, living rooms can start feeling stale or be at odds with the way we enjoy spending our free hours. Since hobbies are part of our passion and creativity, why not redefine your home in such a way that it incorporates your hobbies more importantly? If your hobbies are gardening, cooking, or just a comfortable rural room, there are numerous ways your home can be changed such that your lifestyle and hobbies are perfectly in alignment. Here, we will talk about some potential ideas that can be taken and incorporated into your home in terms of making your home hobby-friendly. From country style to your weekend getaway cabin to contemporary garden alcoves and even outdoor cook rooms, these makeovers need not be intimidating. A little bit of creative thinking and planning, and your home can be transformed into a place where your hobbies are seamlessly integrated. Reviving Your Residence based on Hobbies-Inspiration Design One of the simplest things you can do for a makeover on your home is to start small. Clear the clutter and rearrange the furniture, and the room will be immediately more conducive to your style of living. Think about the activities you enjoy the most. Do you have a hobby of reading, gardening, cooking, or woodworking? With little modification, you can create a space in your home where those activities can be the focal point. Such as converting one corner of your living room into your reading area through your favorite chair and proper lighting, or putting up shelves on an unused wall where your souvenir or craft material is kept, are more about possessing or perhaps redefining what your available space should be used for in consideration of your planned activity. Livening Up the Interior of Your Log Cabin Retreat If you simply happen to own a log retreat or cabin, you understand what it’s like to escape to a countryside retreat. Even the most snug of cabins, though, can be revitalized. Rustic design is all about bringing nature in, and so, when redesigning a cabin, do it organically, with texture and materials. Wooden beams, stone formations, and cozy lighting can do the trick without fully converting. Add handcrafted furniture items or handmade fabric rugs to make it unique. Even a minimal accent of changing to softer, earthier colors on your pillows or drapes can make the inside more natural. For recreation enthusiasts, this rural setting couldn’t be better. If you are an artist or photographer, cabin living becomes your inspiration. If entertaining friends is your pleasure, a rural dining room with its large wood table is the hub of the house. The key here is that you needn’t do much renovation—you need only incorporate gentle touches that enhance the comfortable, natural atmosphere. Building a Contemporary Garden Nook One of the greatest things garden enthusiasts like you can do to help change the look and feel of your home is work towards having a special plant zone. You don’t even have to possess a big backyard because, with or without it, you can now have your modern garden nook at home or with your outdoor space’s limited area. The contemporary garden oasis is all about blurring style and substance. Begin by maximizing vertical space—trellises, a shelf, or planting up planters are great ways of including foliage without taking up more room. Add your greens with simple pieces of furniture such as a pristine bench or tiny bistro table, providing you with a sit spot where you can appreciate your view. Light also counts. Place your plants by a window when indoors so that they can benefit from natural light, or use grow lights when there is no space. In the outdoors, solar lights or string lights will create that magical evening ambiance. The best feature of your new garden nook is that not only will it offer you your very own private space where you can indulge your gardening passion, but it will also be your peaceful retreat. Imagine your morning coffee beneath the leaves, or unwinding after that difficult workday in your very own green retreat. Bringing the Garden in as a Room If you’d like to take your hobby of gardening to the next level, well then, why not do it inside your own garden room? Maybe it is your sunroom, your greenhouse, or even your spare room that you renovate to be your plant sanctuary. A garden room enables you to have a more extended growing season and tend to your plants throughout the year. Expansive windows or a glass wall enable you to enjoy the natural light while not exposing your plants to the weather. For the gardener who desires to try herbs, vegetables, or tropical flowers, this arrangement provides the most controlled climate. When it comes to designing, ensure you strike a balance between functionality and comfort. Use shelving units, potting tables, and storage containers to keep things clean and organized. But include a chair or small sofa so that the room doesn’t look like a mere workspace, but also your sanctuary where you can sit down and be with your hobby. Planning Space for an Outdoor Cooking Room If one is passionate about cooking, why should one be restricted just to the kitchen? One fun way of dressing up one’s home is through creating an outdoor cook room. It raises outdoor entertaining beyond the level of the casual barbecue and makes outdoor cooking an experience. Your outdoor cooking room may be a modest one or it may be a high-end one, always your choice. At least, you must have a wood-burner or gas grill, counter space, and covered outdoor storage units where your ingredients and utensils are safely covered from outdoor elements. If it’s affordable, then add a sink, refrigerator, and yes, even a pizza oven. Your nicely prepared outdoor cook area, besides being able to provide a more fun dinnertime preparation
