Marks & Spencer has begun construction on its new state‑of‑the‑art automated National Distribution Centre (NDC) in Northamptonshire, marking a major milestone in the company’s £340 million investment to modernise and future‑proof its food supply chain. To mark the start of the build, Michelle Elliman, from M&S Rugby store joined Kevin
Shaftesbury Capital has announced the signing of streetwear brand Eme Studios, set to open at 57 Carnaby Street. The arrival will mark the brand’s UK debut and its first permanent store outside of Spain. Eme Studios was born in Spain in 2018, inspired by modern streetwear aesthetics and culture. The brand currently operates physical locations in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, and trades online in over
A former grammar school site, latterly used as a business centre, in Winsford Town Centre, Cheshire has been brought to market as a residential development opportunity. Cheshire West & Cheshire Council has appointed CBRE as its agent for Verdin Exchange. Verdin Exchange is a 51,968 sq ft listed red-brick building
Neighbourhood Health Hubs and a range of other public and private health services could prove to be the keys to high street and town centre regeneration, according to Radix Big Tent. The influential think tank behind the Kate Barker-led Housing Commission – which helped shape many of the DHCLG’s housing
Plans for two brand new South West hubs have been revealed by leading logistics network, Pall-Ex Group, as it earmarks an £8 million investment for strengthening its services across the region. The South West peninsula, often known as the ‘final frontier’, has historically been one of the most challenging delivery
Marks & Spencer has begun construction on its new state‑of‑the‑art automated National Distribution Centre (NDC) in Northamptonshire, marking a major milestone in the company’s £340 million investment to modernise and future‑proof its food supply chain. To mark the start of the build, Michelle Elliman, from M&S Rugby store joined Kevin Bennett, CEO of Gist (M&S Food’s logistics arm), Stuart Andrew, MP for Daventry and Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Prologis for an on-site for a steel‑signing ceremony. The steel‑signing event recognised the start of construction on the 1.3 million sqft facility, celebrating the largest supply chain investment in M&S history and a major step toward doubling the size of the Food business. The site will significantly increase capacity, reduce long‑term cost to serve, and improve product availability for customers. Over 200 M&S Food stores will be serviced by the new DC, supporting colleagues with faster deliveries and simpler stock and fill processes, so they can spend more time with customers on the shop floor. Kevin Bennett, who leads M&S Food’s logistics arm said: “Starting the build on this site marks a major step in transforming M&S into a true destination for the weekly shop, with a modernised supply chain at the heart of that ambition. This investment will boost capacity for future growth, lower our long‑term cost to serve, and improve product availability so customers get the right products in the right place at the right time. “With construction underway, this new site strengthens our network and puts us ahead of the volume curve as we build a bigger, better food business. By deploying the latest proven automation, we’re future‑proofing our operations and UK retail logistics, while creating 1,000 permanent jobs on site.” Stuart Andrew, MP for Daventry and Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said: “I welcome the investment by Marks & Spencer into the new distribution centre in Daventry. It was great to visit the impressive site and meet the people involved and learn about the future plans for the centre. This area has for a long time been at the heart of the UK’s logistic network and this investment shows confidence in the local people and businesses.” James Hemstock, Vice President of Capital Deployment at Prologis UK, said:“This construction milestone reflects the incredible strength of collaboration behind this project. Working closely with M&S, Gist, Winvic and West Northamptonshire Council, this project from the outset has been shaped by a shared commitment to quality, sustainability and long-term value.” The new NDC will use advanced automation to boost efficiency, accuracy and ease of restocking, including pallet cranes, high‑speed shuttles and hands‑free picking. It is designed to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating, with sustainability features such as recycled materials, rooftop solar, rainwater harvesting, EV charging and a dedicated vehicle maintenance unit. This investment supports M&S’ supply chain transformation, store rotation and renewal, and digital and technology plans, aiming for 420 larger Food stores and a more productive set of 180 full‑line stores by 2027/28. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Shaftesbury Capital has announced the signing of streetwear brand Eme Studios, set to open at 57 Carnaby Street. The arrival will mark the brand’s UK debut and its first permanent store outside of Spain. Eme Studios was born in Spain in 2018, inspired by modern streetwear aesthetics and culture. The brand currently operates physical locations in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, and trades online in over 100 countries. The new 1,500 sq ft Carnaby Street store will feature a refined collection of men’s, women’s, and unisex pieces, including knitwear, jackets, and other apparel. The chic and timeless interior will translate the brand’s signature aesthetic, fostering a sense of exclusivity. The brand’s decision to enter the UK market with a first-ever bricks-and-mortar store reflects Eme Studios’ strategic expansion, targeting Soho for its reputation as a world-famous shopping and cultural hub, and successful launchpad. Eme Studios follows in the footsteps of several international brands that started their UK journey in Soho, including the likes of Adidas Originals, Axel Arigato, Autry, and Alohas. William Oliver, Director of Retail & Restaurant Leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “Carnaby Street is a timeless, iconic destination that offers the ideal environment for digitally native brands to start physical retail journeys in the UK. Eme Studios complements our existing brand mix at the southern gateway into Carnaby Street, with its culture-driven clothingmatching consumer demand. Given the success of Edikted, TALA, Sheep Inc, and other digitally native brands, it is clear why Carnaby Street and Soho continue to be first-choice for these best-in-class retailers.” Gabriel Morón, Co-Owner of Eme Studios, commented: “Expanding into the UK has always been a goal for us, so securing a location that aligned with our vision was crucial. Carnaby Street offers a global platform and attracts the type of audience that resonates with our uniqueaesthetic. The success we have seen both online and in Spain has demonstrated the brand’s long-term potential, and establishing a presence in Soho is instrumental in solidifying our position in one of the most competitive retail markets.” Eme Studios will sit at the Southern gateway of Carnaby Street, joining other high-calibre brands, Farm Rio, TALA, and the recent addition of Edikted. The new 4,800 sq ft store for the latter also marked a UK debut, and first location outside of the US, bringing its signature street-style and runway-inspired womenswear to the heart of Soho. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A former grammar school site, latterly used as a business centre, in Winsford Town Centre, Cheshire has been brought to market as a residential development opportunity. Cheshire West & Cheshire Council has appointed CBRE as its agent for Verdin Exchange. Verdin Exchange is a 51,968 sq ft listed red-brick building dating back to 1895 on an extensive 3.89 acre site fronting the town’s High Street (A54). Originally built as a technical school and latterly used as a business centre, the site has been identified as prime for redevelopment as a residential-led scheme, subject to planning. Initial feasibility work highlights the site’s potential for a blend of one, two and three-bedroom apartments set across the existing building and two new-builds, complemented by landscaped amenity space and high-quality public realm. The development could create a sustainable living environment in an established and well-connected Cheshire location, adjacent to the recently redeveloped Winsford Cross Shopping Centre, at the heart of the town’s ongoing regeneration. The scheme represents a rare opportunity to combine the conversion of a heritage asset with new-build development, enabling the creation of a distinctive residential destination within a revitalised town centre setting. Neil Kirkham, Head of Liverpool Office at CBRE commented: “Verdin Exchange represents a compelling opportunity to deliver a high-quality residential scheme in a well-connected and evolving Cheshire town. The combination of a prominent town centre location, strong transport links and the character of the existing building provides developers with the chance to create a truly distinctive place to live. With capacity for a mix of apartment types alongside landscaped amenity and public realm improvements, this is a site that can make a meaningful contribution to Winsford’s continued regeneration.” The site is being offered for sale on a freehold basis, with interest sought from developers capable of bringing forward a deliverable, design-led scheme. Verdin Exchange is being marketed on an all enquiries basis, but recognises there is a strong residential development opportunity. Gemma Davies, Director of Economy and Housing, Cheshire West & Chester Council “The Verdin Exchange is an iconic and much-loved building in Winsford town centre. Its striking architecture makes it a Winsford icon and it is a building that the community is keen to see open its doors again. Cheshire West & Chester Council is seeking a developer who can support its goal to safeguard the future of Verdin Exchange and give it a new lease of life by restoring the listed building and maintaining and enhancing the community uses of the site. Ensuring this building can play its part in the vitality and vibrancy of the town long into the future. The first phase of regeneration works has already been a real success story and we’re excited to see what comes forward from developers for the Verdin Exchange to support us in achieving our ambitions for this great town that Winsford residents now and in the future can be proud of.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Neighbourhood Health Hubs and a range of other public and private health services could prove to be the keys to high street and town centre regeneration, according to Radix Big Tent. The influential think tank behind the Kate Barker-led Housing Commission – which helped shape many of the DHCLG’s housing delivery policies – will launch a new project to bring community health on to the UK’s high streets, both to improve public health and act as a catalyst for regeneration. Sponsored by engineering, architecture, planning and environmental consulting group Sidara, independent national law firm Stevens & Bolton, and architects James Totty Partnership, the Health on the High Street Commission will launch on the 19th May to coincide with this year’s UKREiiF. The cross-sector Commission is setting out to identify practical steps to unblock the planning, financial and cultural obstacles to high street regeneration through health; not to produce another glossy vision document. The commission will be chaired by author, designer and place-strategist, Professor Ibrahim Ibrahim of Sidara’s Portland Design, with the independent commission comprising experts from investment, planning, place-making, national and local government, and public and private health care. Commissioners include crossbench peer, Lord (Andrew) Mawson, the driver behind the trail-blazing Bromley-by-Bow Health Partnership, and Michael Brown, the chief architect of the ground-breaking Barnsley Health Hub, which has seen outpatient services relocated to the town centre Alhambra shopping centre. The Commission plans to report within twelve months. In addition to conducting desk research and commissioning original research, the commissioners are eager to hear evidence from and learn from successful examples of delivering health on the high street across the country. Announcing the Commission’s launch, Radix Big Tent Chief Executive, Ben Rich, says: “There is widespread political agreement that putting health services at the heart of communities is a good idea. And yet, despite this consensus, progress is glacial. “Why? Because the system designed to deliver this is stuck in neutral. Speaking with senior leaders from the NHS and private health providers, local government, private investment and regeneration, what becomes clear is that there is not a lack of ambition, but a wall of institutional and systemic inertia that prevents change. The purpose of this commission is to identify and produce policies to remove the friction points that stall delivery.” Professor Ibrahim Ibrahim added: “The focus of the commission is less about the details of the healthcare provision and more about its halo effect, and how it can drive social and commercial value in our high streets and shopping centres.” Andrew Steele, Partner at Stevens & Bolton, said: “Healthcare is increasingly recognised as a powerful anchor for town centre regeneration and is a great opportunity to repurpose existing retail space as well as diversify our high streets with long-term, resilient assets. We’re proud to be supporting the Commission as it works to identify practical solutions that can support the long-term health of our high streets, turning policies into progress.”
Plans for two brand new South West hubs have been revealed by leading logistics network, Pall-Ex Group, as it earmarks an £8 million investment for strengthening its services across the region. The South West peninsula, often known as the ‘final frontier’, has historically been one of the most challenging delivery locations in the UK due to its landscape. In spite of that, the region has been dubbed a ‘logistics hot spot’, with brands like Pall-Ex continuing to see year-on-year growth. Now, businesses throughout the region will soon benefit from the launch of two new facilities in Willand, Devon (Pall-Ex South West), and Launceston in Cornwall (Pall-Ex Logistics), giving them access to a range of haulage services including next-day palletised freight distribution, warehousing and storage. Pall-Ex South West’s 218,000 sq ft hub in Willand, Devon, is expected to be completed by Summer 2026. While existing staff will relocate to the new site—located less than half a mile from the current facility—the expansion is expected to increase its local workforce by 15%, with roles spanning customer service and night planners, to warehouse and forklift operators. Its plans to recruit will enable the site to double its operational limits and process an excess of 60 vehicles per night across the two new sites. Meanwhile, the Launceston hub—a 114,000 sq ft purpose-built facility—is already operational, where it offers increased storage capacity of up to 3,500 pallets and the movement of 650 pallets per day. The successful relocation of its existing team will also be bolstered by a further 10 – 15% growth in its workforce; with roles in warehouse staffing, supervision and management roles soon to be available. In addition to their enhanced service capabilities, both sites will benefit from a series of sustainability-focused features, including all-electric forklift truck fleets, solar panels and green water filtering—additions that will see them meet the highest sustainability ‘BREEAM standards’. While the logistics provider already has existing hubs in the region, these have since reached capacity. This latest investment is a strategic move intended to give the company access to larger, purpose-built spaces, designed to better support its growing customer base. Commenting on the investment, Barry Byers, chief operating officer for Pall-Ex Group, said: “The South West has always been a challenging location for distribution companies. Yet in the past five years, we’ve generated unprecedented growth here, with more and more businesses around the region demanding a reliable and robust logistics network. With that growth, though, comes the need to evolve. That’s why the time feels right to make this significant investment to ensure that our distribution services are up to the challenge. “The last 30 years have been all about adapting and future-proofing the business; whether through supporting our partners around the country, investing in the latest technology to provide them with unparalleled visibility, or by enhancing our regional distribution services. This announcement really is testament to the hard work put in to get us where we are now in the South West, so that we can make sure we’re perfectly positioned to tackle the regional challenges of the next three decades.” News of the investment follows a landmark start to the year for the brand, as it celebrated its 30th anniversary. Since its incorporation three decades ago, Pall-Ex has evolved into a national and international powerhouse, with this latest South West expansion representing the next chapter in its commitment to growth. For more information on Pall-Ex South West, visit https://www.pallexsouthwest.com/ or for further details on Pall-Ex Logistics (Devon & Cornwall), visit: https://www.pallexlogistics.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals