Regeneration Area Starts to Take Shape with the Opening of the ‘The Social Hub’ in UK First A significant milestone has been reached in the £300 million regeneration of Candleriggs Square in Glasgow’s Merchant City, one of Scotland’s most high-profile city centre development sites. Developed by a joint venture bringing
Clowes Developments have appointed Derbyshire based estate agent Boxall Brown & Jones to market Riber View Apartments in Matlock. Since constructing the 47 luxury one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 450 to 765 square feet, Clowes have successfully sold or let a number of apartments. The group have
Greggs has achieved a significant milestone with the opening of its 2,500th store, located at a service station in Cobham, UK. This accomplishment is part of the retailer’s five-year strategy to expand its presence by opening over 3,000 new stores across the UK. The latest store launch, situated at a
Caddick Construction has appointed Steve Ford as Regional Managing Director for Yorkshire and the North East, closely following the business’ most successful year-to-date with Caddick Construction Group reporting a turnover of £318m. In his new role, Steve will be responsible for heading up the regional team in the North East
Monkwearmouth Development Ltd “MDL”(a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited “SRMCV”, and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited “APDS”), with funding from Railpen, proudly handed over its first development to NTW Solutions Ltd at Monkwearmouth Hospital in Sunderland last month. Located within the grounds of the existing hospital,
The Sheffield Property Association, which is the City’s collective voice for property, has announced the appointment of a new director, Rebecca Knight, who has joined the board of the organisation. Rebecca, who is managing director at OVO Spaces has 32 years of experience in the property industry. She joins The
Rohlig SUUS Logistics, the largest Polish logistics operator, will open its first warehouse in Hungary with an area of 7,000 sqm in mid-summer at the state-of-the-art logistics park near the Budapest International Airport. HelloParks Maglód’s 45,000 sqm MG3 facility will support tenants’ operations with flexible green features, efficient and cost-effective
New legislation and an increased focus on best practice are leading to heavier workloads and excess pressure on property and facilities managers, according to a new report from health, safety and property compliance firm William Martin. When compiling its first annual property compliance report, the firm examined data from 20,000
Yesterday the Bank of England (BoE) has announced its decision to hold interest rates at 5.25% for the sixth time, remaining at the highest level for 16 years. This decision, although expected, will have significant implications for the construction industry. No indication was given that rates are set to be
Opportunity Mid Sussex, the inward investment platform of Mid Sussex District Council, will promote 70 hectares of employment space at one of the UK’s premier real estate, investment, and infrastructure shows. Representatives from Mid Sussex District Council will attend UKREiiF in Leeds from 21-23 May 2024 to promote and showcase
Regeneration Area Starts to Take Shape with the Opening of the ‘The Social Hub’ in UK First A significant milestone has been reached in the £300 million regeneration of Candleriggs Square in Glasgow’s Merchant City, one of Scotland’s most high-profile city centre development sites. Developed by a joint venture bringing together Drum Property Group and Stamford Investments, the site has marked its first completed building following the highly awaited opening of the UK’s first The Social Hub – a four-star hybrid hospitality location combining hotel, student & extended stay accommodation, co-working space and leisure facilities. The 3.6-acre Candleriggs Square site – bound by Wilson Street, Hutcheson Street, Candleriggs and Trongate – is regarded by many as the last and most important piece of Glasgow’s Merchant City regeneration jigsaw. Originally home to Glasgow’s flourishing fruit and vegetable market for most of the 20th century the square played host to a department store before remaining unoccupied and derelict for more than two decades, following the closure of the last operator there in 1999. The regeneration of the area is now starting to quickly take shape, with the next building to complete on site – the 346-apartment build-to-rent scheme delivered on behalf of Legal & General – forecast for practical completion this summer. Graeme Bone, Group Managing Director of Drum Property Group, welcomed the completion of The Social Hub Glasgow as heralding an exciting future for Candleriggs Square. “The development vision we outlined when we first took ownership of the site in 2019 is now starting to come to fruition,” he said. “Despite many construction and delivery challenges, we are now seeing this vital part of the city centre, which had lain dormant for more than 20 years, beginning to take shape. It’s great to see these spectacular buildings coming out of the ground, bringing people, investment and excitement back into the heart of Glasgow city centre. The opening of The Social Hub Glasgow marks the return of Candleriggs Square to what it once was as part of the city’s rich commercial history – a bustling market-place full of life, vitality and interest, intrinsically linked to the rest of the city centre.” He added: “We can now look forward to more high-quality housing, local amenities and open spaces combining with new pedestrian and access links creating a new sense of place, and making the whole Merchant City more accessible, welcoming and exciting for people living, working and visiting the area.” The Social Hub Glasgow spans some 20,000 sq. metres is the result of a £90 million investment, and has space for up to 222 co-workers along with 20 private offices and eight flexible meeting and event spaces totalling 1,500sq metres. There are 494 rooms including dedicated four-star hotel rooms for leisure and business travellers, as well as those for students and extended-stay guests, making it Scotland’s largest hotel by room numbers. The Social Hub concept is the brainchild of Edinburgh native Charlie MacGregor, who set up the first of what has grown into a portfolio of 23 hubs across Europe, in 2012 in Rotterdam – 18 of which are now open. Driven by its purpose of creating a better society, The Social Hub is now a pan-European investor, developer, owner and operator of a ‘hybrid’ hospitality model combining hotel accommodation, co-living and co-working spaces with restaurants, bars, conference rooms and fitness facilities, all coupled by pioneering community-centric experiences and social-impact focused programmes. Glasgow City Council initially approved plans for The Social Hub Glasgow in May 2020, as well as granting approval for ‘Planning Application in Principle’ for the entire 3.6-acre site. Drum and Stamford’s proposals include a high-quality mixed-use scheme combining homes, offices, hotels, restaurants and local amenities together with landscaped open spaces and accessible walkways – with a new public square at the heart of the development. Plans for Candleriggs Square match Glasgow City Council’s stated desire to bring more people back into the city centre to live, work and visit. Council Leader, Councillor Susan Aitken, attended the hotel’s groundbreaking ceremony in September 2021, and said at the time: “Glasgow needs a city centre that is an attractive place to live, work, study, visit and invest – and the regeneration of Candleriggs Square can play an important role in delivering on all of those aims. We can now look forward to further stages of the development bringing economic and social benefit to the Merchant City’s residents and businesses – and contributing to a wider renewal of the city centre.” For more information on Candleriggs Square, visit www.candleriggs-square.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Clowes Developments have appointed Derbyshire based estate agent Boxall Brown & Jones to market Riber View Apartments in Matlock. Since constructing the 47 luxury one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 450 to 765 square feet, Clowes have successfully sold or let a number of apartments. The group have engaged Boxall Brown & Jones to market the remaining properties. Boxall Brown & Jones were appointed based on their reputation within the Derby and surrounding areas as a leading residential estate agent. Established in 1989, Boxall Brown & Jones are an independent firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors and Estate Agents offering the very highest standards in residential property sales, lettings and surveying. Based in the historic city of Derby, with a north Derbyshire office in Belper, they are proud to be leading residential Estate Agents committed to delivering the highest level of customer service. The experienced team provide a wealth of knowledge and local expertise. Boxall Brown & Jones are members of and regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the National Association of Estate Agents and are part of the Ombudsman scheme for Estate Agents to assure full consumer protection for their clients. Initially there will be a limited number of apartments listed on the popular residential property website, Rightmove, with properties being viewed on an ‘appointment only’ basis. The apartments are ideal for first time buyers eager to get onto the property ladder, downsizers looking to scale back their living arrangements in a great location at the heart of Matlock and young professionals who want to live in the Peak District but commute to cities such as Derby, Nottingham or Sheffield. The apartments also provide an idyllic location for second or holiday homes. Jo Hutchinson and Anthony Lomas, Partners at Boxall Brown & Jones estate agents will be leading the sales team on behalf of Clowes Developments, Jo commented: “We are delighted to be appointed to market the Riber View Apartments in Matlock. We believe the scheme offers an amazing opportunity for buyers to purchase high quality spacious apartments, in an unrivalled location, close to the heart of Matlock and within easy reach of the Peak District.” The first tranche of apartments will be available to view from Saturday 1st June at an exclusive open day organised by Boxall Brown and Jones. To book an appointment, interested parties are invited to contact Jo Hutchinson at the Belper office on 01773 880788 or j.hutchinson@boxallbrownandjones.co.uk, or Anthony Lomas in the Derby office on 01332 553838 or a.lomas@boxallbrownandjones.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Greggs has achieved a significant milestone with the opening of its 2,500th store, located at a service station in Cobham, UK. This accomplishment is part of the retailer’s five-year strategy to expand its presence by opening over 3,000 new stores across the UK. The latest store launch, situated at a service station in Cobham and the eighth store with Sainsbury’s, brings Greggs closer to its ambitious growth plan announced in 2021. This plan aims to open between 140 and 160 new sites this year, with a focus on expanding into travel hubs and roadside locations. In addition to strengthening its presence on the high street, these new openings demonstrate Greggs’ expansion into non-traditional locations. The retailer’s mission remains clear – to be accessible wherever, whenever, and however its customers need it. Property director Tony Rowson expressed pride in reaching this milestone and highlighted the significance of the location in showcasing the breadth of Greggs’ estate and the popularity of its brand. Rowson also acknowledged the hard work of the teams and the support of valued partners in achieving this milestone. Rhian Bartlett, chief food commercial officer at Sainsbury’s, shared her delight in opening the eighth shop with Greggs at the Cobham store, following the success of previous launches. She emphasised the popularity of Greggs’ café-style formats among Sainsbury’s customers. Despite experiencing a slowdown in sales growth, Greggs saw its annual profits soar, with pre-tax profits increasing by 27% to £188.3m in the 52 weeks to 30 December. This growth reflects Greggs’ resilience and continued success in the food-to-go market, maintaining an “all-time high” market share. As Greggs continues its expansion journey, the brand remains committed to delivering quality products and exceptional service to its customers across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick Construction has appointed Steve Ford as Regional Managing Director for Yorkshire and the North East, closely following the business’ most successful year-to-date with Caddick Construction Group reporting a turnover of £318m. In his new role, Steve will be responsible for heading up the regional team in the North East and Yorkshire, building on Caddick’s 40-year legacy across Yorkshire and the North West, and its recent expansion into Midlands. Steve joins the business from Marrico Asset Management where he held the position of Development Director for over eight years. With wider industry experience spanning two decades, Steve’s background offers a unique perspective from both the contractor and development side. His expertise spans the retail, commercial, education, industrial and manufacturing sectors, as well as residential and heritage buildings. Notable previous projects include: Leeds Hyatt Hotel, Central Square Office development, Leeds Trinity Shopping Centre, Heathrow Terminal 2a, HSBC Northern Data Centre, Barnsley BSF Programme, and the refurbishment of Meadowhall Shopping Centre. Steve’s appointment follows a period of sustained growth for Caddick Construction as it sets out to broaden its delivery of projects across its core sectors, including manufacturing, industrial, commercial, health, residential and education. Caddick Construction Group has this month announced a record financial year ending August 2023, with a turnover of £318m, 38% up on the previous year. Profit sits at £7.4m with the company’s forward order book up 12% to £740m. Speaking of his appointment, Steve comments: “Joining such an established company with an excellent reputation and legacy is something I’m very proud of. Caddick is well-known for delivering high-quality projects, and as the business grows so does its expertise. With a varied portfolio of project work in my career to-date, I look forward to steering the business’ continued growth while retaining everything that makes Caddck such a success.” Paul Dodsworth, Group Managing Director at Caddick Construction Group, comments: “Steve has an excellent track record for managing and delivering exceptional developments and I’m very pleased to be welcoming him to the business. We are excited about the future in our Yorkshire and Northeast business. Caddick Construction has had a fantastic year across the board, and we as a collective are determined to continue to grow in a sustainable, controlled and profitable way building on our team’s passion to deliver safely for clients and customers across the regions.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Monkwearmouth Development Ltd “MDL”(a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited “SRMCV”, and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited “APDS”), with funding from Railpen, proudly handed over its first development to NTW Solutions Ltd at Monkwearmouth Hospital in Sunderland last month. Located within the grounds of the existing hospital, the new modern fit for purpose building provides a welcoming, level and accessible front entrance to the main outpatient facilities. In addition to the new entrance and reception area, the new accommodation includes meeting rooms, flexible open-plan workspaces and breakout areas, and consultants’ offices on upper floors along with areas for their support teams to work in. The new building has created the perfect office environment for employees at the site and encourages collaborative working and support; all of which service users should benefit from. The building also houses a Changing Places facility, and the new ‘Café Bede’ community café is open to the general public, visitors, staff and service users across the Hospital. The new café includes areas for inside and outside dining and is home to a time capsule that was placed in the ground during the construction works; telling the story of the build, the history of the site and the previous building for people to read in years to come. Sir Robert McAlpine completed the construction of the 3,287 sq. m, three-storey building for MDL over 19 months with the facility achieving a Design stage BREEAM Excellent standard. In addition to a replacement tree lined staff car park, the development delivers level access and a beautifully landscaped piazza area including seating and extensive planting, along with a memorial garden. The external works have transformed the previous parking area that fronts onto Newcastle Road and creates better connectivity within the estate for hospital users, staff and visitors. MDL worked with NTW Solutions Limited, a limited company established by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, to provide premises that will enable NTW Solutions to deliver improved facilities and a range of important services to the Trust. Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest mental health and disability Trusts in England. Monkwearmouth Development Ltd is a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited. It was appointed to this work through SRMCV’s place on the Pagabo Developer Led Framework, a nationwide procurement framework available for public sector organisations that focuses on delivering social value for each development. David Peck from Monkwearmouth Development LTD, said, “We could not be more delighted with the outcome, that has been a true collaboration between all the parties involved, who have created a building that is streets ahead of the one it replaced and that will make a significant difference to patients that rely on it for their care and the people that use it as their place of work.” David Hosken, Project Director at SRMCV, said, “We are immensely proud of delivering a unique facility using an innovative development solution, helping NTW Solutions Limited renew their estate with a quality building designed for modern ways of working. This fantastic project allows us to continue to build on our successes working alongside NHS Trusts to deliver developments with positive outcomes for the people who will use them.” Richard Wilks from Argon Property Development Solutions Ltd, said, “It has been a pleasure working with NTW Solutions, the Trust and the team on the ground who made this happen. Knowing that what we have delivered is already making such a positive difference to the staff, clinicians and service users is testament to everyone’s efforts to make this happen. We are so pleased to have been able to play our part in improving mental health services and the positive impact this development will have across the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Sheffield Property Association, which is the City’s collective voice for property, has announced the appointment of a new director, Rebecca Knight, who has joined the board of the organisation. Rebecca, who is managing director at OVO Spaces has 32 years of experience in the property industry. She joins The Sheffield Property Association’s (S-PA) passionate and committed team of four directors who all share a vision of improving Sheffield’s built environment, driving investment, and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders and partners. Having grown up locally and now living within the city region, Rebecca presents a passion for all aspects of property, having worked in residential, commercial, leisure, and industry sectors. Rebecca said: “I am looking forward to bringing something a little bit different to the S-PA. This is a new challenge for me, and I’m excited to add value where I can utilise my industry experience. “Working in Sheffield is so different to other cities. People are the heart of everything we do, and the shared collaborative spirit is what makes us unique. I believe the city is in the early beginnings of something bigger, and I want to be part of this resurgence. “My goal is to help make Sheffield an even better place and to bring a different energy to the role. I am particularly excited to get involved with all of the priority groups and help them work more cohesively within the S-PA.” Rob Darrington, director of the S-PA said: “Since we established the Sheffield Property Association in 2017, it has been extremely rewarding to watch the growth of our board and member network. “We are delighted to welcome Rebecca to our team. Her experience will be invaluable as we continue to ensure sustainable development in Sheffield, further driving our plans, member leadership, and city representation.” The Sheffield Property Association (S-PA) is an active group of businesses dedicated to revitalising Sheffield’s built environment. Since 2017, they have been actively investing, generating opportunities, and promoting prosperity in the city. Through research and collaborative efforts, they influence decision-making processes to benefit local communities while fostering strong relationships between land-owning and development businesses, stakeholders, and partners. For more information about the Sheffield Property Association, please visit www.sheffieldpropertyassociation.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Rohlig SUUS Logistics, the largest Polish logistics operator, will open its first warehouse in Hungary with an area of 7,000 sqm in mid-summer at the state-of-the-art logistics park near the Budapest International Airport. HelloParks Maglód’s 45,000 sqm MG3 facility will support tenants’ operations with flexible green features, efficient and cost-effective building management, and market-leading technical solutions. SUUS, a leading logistics service provider in Central and Eastern Europe, will be the new tenant of HelloParks Maglód’s MG3 building. Under a long-term lease agreement with the Hungarian-based industrial property developer HelloParks, the Polish company, which specialises in integrated logistics solutions, will lease 7,000 sqm of space for its new Hungarian operation. The facility will serve as a multi-purpose logistics centre, encompassing a logistics warehouse with 3,000 pallet places and a handling terminal as well. The Maglód site will be a strategically important location for the company’s growing network of domestic partners. SUUS’s services in the region extend beyond warehousing to encompass full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) road transport; rail, sea and air freight; as well as project cargo. The company also places a strong emphasis on the development of customs services. Laszló Molnár, Managing Director at Rohlig SUUS Logistics Hungary Kft., said: “The modern hub greatly enhances our competencies in Hungary. Contract logistics, including storage, order picking and value-added services such as co-packing and labelling, have been added to our portfolio. Our new investment can serve as a warehouse for raw materials and finished goods as well as a distribution center.” He added: “Its strategic positioning, nestled near the intersection of the M0 motorway, the vital M4 section of European route E60, and the busy Budapest Airport, positions it as a crucial junction in the supply networks of both local businesses and international corporations. This includes prominent players in the automotive sector, a cornerstone of the Hungarian economy.” Besides its convenient location near Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport and numerous major transport hubs, another pivotal factor for the Polish tenant was the capacity to effectively facilitate its expanding network of domestic partners from its central hub in Maglód. Here, they can access adaptable and scalable warehouse and office facilities to meet their evolving needs. HelloParks concluded the agreement with the professional support of CBRE. With this lease deal, 27,300 sqm, or more than 60 per cent of the space in the Maglód MG3 facility, has already been taken by tenants, including major companies such as Aeroplex, Loginvent and WellPack. The numerous modern technologies used in the logistics park, as well as the pro-environmental and pro-social solutions, such as a relaxation zone for drivers in the warehouse, were also important considerations for SUUS in its decision-making process. The 45,000 sqm MG3 warehouse, the second phase of HelloParks Maglód, was the first industrial property in Hungary to be awarded the highest BREEAM rating of Outstanding in the New Construction category. In addition to the completed building, the New Construction category assesses the entire design, construction and project management process, from the sourcing and supply of raw materials to waste management and the technologies installed and used. The company was previously the first in Hungary to achieve an Excellent rating in the Industrial Property category — with its now fully occupied MG1 hall of the Maglód megapark. From 2023, it has been the only company to build all its new facilities to the most stringent Outstanding criteria. “We have completed a complex and lengthy negotiation process with our new client —everyone in the team working hard to contribute to the transaction’s success. Our latest achievement in the Budapest International Airport’s area makes us proud and strengthens our ambition to make HelloParks Maglód the strongest player in this submarket. In addition to its convenient location, sustainability and flexible, efficient operations are the most important factors for our tenants, and we provide them with state-of-the-art facilities to meet their needs,” said András Bodahelyi, Senior Business Development Manager of HelloParks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New legislation and an increased focus on best practice are leading to heavier workloads and excess pressure on property and facilities managers, according to a new report from health, safety and property compliance firm William Martin. When compiling its first annual property compliance report, the firm examined data from 20,000 risk assessments and survey reports that were uploaded to its compliance management software, Meridian, between April 2023 and March 2024. Figures showed almost 327,000 health and safety actions were raised across all disciplines, a 22% increase on the previous year. Commenting on the increase, Phil Jones, Managing Director at William Martin said: “The property and facilities management industry shoulders a huge responsibility when it comes to upholding the highest standards of health and safety. Alongside the introduction of recent laws such as the Building Safety Act 2022, we’re undoubtedly seeing a far greater focus from organisations on ensuring best practice and continuous improvement, rather than just compliance. “I’ve always believed that abiding by legislation should be the minimum benchmark rather than the final goal, so this positive step towards safer working environments is something I welcome. However, the downside is the extra pressure this is putting on those responsible for health and safety, due in no small part to the increased reporting that’s required to demonstrate high performance. But because abandoning best practice is not an option, this is something the industry needs to find a way to deal with.” Beyond this headline increase, the report identifies 10 key health and safety trends, which include: Phil Jones added: “Workload burdens are undoubtedly contributing to some of the more worrying trends identified in our report, such as the unacceptable length of time it’s taking to address Priority 1 actions, and poor record-keeping around lift safety. “Tech and AI can form part of the solution, by reducing the scope for human error, and reducing the chances of risks being missed or reports being misfiled. Using tech to work smarter rather than harder also frees up time to focus on the activities that will actually drive change and reduce risk. “The key trends and insights contained in this report will hopefully inform property and facilities management professionals on what should be the key focus areas within their own businesses. We are already planning to publish this data annually, which will enable longer term industry trends to be identified.” The full report is available to download from the William Martin website here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yesterday the Bank of England (BoE) has announced its decision to hold interest rates at 5.25% for the sixth time, remaining at the highest level for 16 years. This decision, although expected, will have significant implications for the construction industry. No indication was given that rates are set to be cut later in the year, although the BoE Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) said it would ‘consider forthcoming data release and keep under review how long Bank Rate should be maintained at its current level.’ Richard Beresford, CEO of the NFB commented, “The decision by the Bank of England to maintain interest rates continues to hinder productivity and economic recovery. Due to the size and nature of works, the construction industry relies on borrowing and financing for projects, and high interest rates can hamper its ability to secure strong pipelines of work and invest in growth. This announcement comes at a time when construction already faces considerable challenges in material inflation, planning delays, and energy costs. We, therefore, urge the Government to deliver greater strategic reform in planning, procurement, and regulation to ease these difficulties and create a favourable environment that allows our sector to drive investment, growth, and UK productivity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Opportunity Mid Sussex, the inward investment platform of Mid Sussex District Council, will promote 70 hectares of employment space at one of the UK’s premier real estate, investment, and infrastructure shows. Representatives from Mid Sussex District Council will attend UKREiiF in Leeds from 21-23 May 2024 to promote and showcase the area to investors, building on the many strengths of the district and the significant growth being delivered. The expert team will join industry leaders to talk about the opportunities for development in the district, take part in debates and network to effect positive change and generate further investment. Opportunity Mid Sussex is looking forward to letting investors and the Government know that Mid Sussex is open for business, that this is a council focused on positive change and delivering results. Mid Sussex is an ideal location for businesses to grow and flourish, with new employment space planned, fantastic landscapes in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Park, and excellent transport links by rail, road, and air. This event will further put Mid Sussex on the map and showcase the huge potential for investment and growth that the region has to offer. With a cluster of businesses offering highly skilled work in sectors such as engineering and advanced manufacturing, MedTech, life sciences, Agri-tech, computer games development, multi-media software development, as well as e-commerce, financial and professional services, this is a fantastic opportunity for developers to create spaces for businesses to grow. In addition, a further 40,000m2 of employment space is now available at Panattoni Park Burgess Hill and ready for tenant fit-out, much of which is available for high value technology-led businesses. Panattoni, the largest logistics developer in the UK and Europe, said demand for the high-quality commercial space has already been strong and will be promoting the space at UKREiiF. David McGougan, Panattoni’s development director in the South East, said: “Our core business plan at Panattoni is to go into regions which are undersupplied with commercial property, especially in the South East. We saw there was an opportunity for us to speculatively develop this site to deliver much needed employment and space for businesses to grow. “Mid Sussex already has an existing industrial base and a very strong demographic in terms of availability of labour and excellent access to motorways. “It’s a great place to live and work. It’s close to both the seaside and the countryside, you’ve got the universities, plus cities and towns nearby to visit including London and Brighton which are both easily accessible by train. It has huge potential to grow.” Opportunity Mid Sussex will champion a total of 22 housing sites and seven employment sites, across the district, many of which are already in development and the allocation for a new Science and Technology Park when they attend UKREiiF. Businesses already based in the area include Swiss multinational healthcare company Roche Diagnostics, multinational engineering company Continental AG, which develops Advanced Driver Assistance Systems from its hub in Burgess Hill and Universal Quantum the groundbreaking quantum computing start-up that has chosen Haywards Heath as its HQ. Working in partnership with Homes England, the £1bn+ Burgess Hill Strategic Growth Programme in the heart of Mid Sussex is expected to deliver 5,000 homes and 15,000 jobs as well as major infrastructure improvements. It includes 25,000m2 of employment space, a Science and Technology Park in Burgess Hill, which will cost £250m to develop, providing 100,000m2 of employment space and 2,500 new jobs. The UK’s Real Estate, Investment, and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) will take place in Leeds in May 2024. Opportunity Mid Sussex (OMS) will exhibit at the event, which draws over 10,000 attendees and 150 exhibitors, to highlight and promote the district. For more information, please visit: https://www.opportunitymidsussex.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
