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Aston University acquires Birmingham City Council’s iconic 10 Woodcock Street Building for strategic expansion in Birmingham Innovation Quarter

Aston University acquires Birmingham City Council’s iconic 10 Woodcock Street Building for strategic expansion in Birmingham Innovation Quarter

Kenneth Booth September 11, 2024

Aston University is thrilled to announce the acquisition of the landmark 10 Woodcock Street building, previously owned by Birmingham City Council.  This strategic expansion will accommodate several of Aston University’s world-renowned schools and strategic initiatives, further solidifying the University’s commitment to innovation, business excellence, sustainability and community engagement in line

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Aldi Unveils Record £800m Investment to Supercharge UK Expansion

Aldi Unveils Record £800m Investment to Supercharge UK Expansion

Kenneth Booth September 11, 2024

Aldi has announced its largest-ever annual investment, committing £800 million to accelerate its store expansion across the UK. The supermarket giant plans to open 23 new stores by the end of the year, with key locations including Muswell Hill, London, and Caterham, Surrey. This forms part of a broader £1.4

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Admiral Taverns Expands with Acquisition of 18 Marston’s Pubs

Admiral Taverns Expands with Acquisition of 18 Marston’s Pubs

Kenneth Booth September 11, 2024

Admiral Taverns, the UK’s leading community pub group, has announced the acquisition of 18 freehold pubs from Marston’s PLC. The move further strengthens Admiral’s extensive portfolio, taking the total number of pubs in its estate to over 1,420. The newly acquired wet-led establishments are spread across key locations, including Dorset,

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Wickes Eyes Ambitious Expansion with Plans for 250 Stores

Wickes Eyes Ambitious Expansion with Plans for 250 Stores

Kenneth Booth September 11, 2024

Wickes has unveiled an “exciting pipeline” of new store openings as the DIY and trade retailer sets its sights on reaching 250 locations in the coming years. This announcement comes as part of the retailer’s interim results for the first half of 2024, a period that saw the opening of

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HG Construction Turnover climbs to £424m in 2023

HG Construction Turnover climbs to £424m in 2023

Kenneth Booth September 10, 2024

Leading UK contractor HG Construction has exceeded a turnover of £400m for the first time, posting a turnover of £424m in 2023. This represents an increase of 26% from 2022, when the company achieved a turnover of £336m.  The company remained profitable throughout what it described as a very challenging

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Latest Issue
Issue 329 : Jun 2025

Kenneth Booth

Aston University acquires Birmingham City Council’s iconic 10 Woodcock Street Building for strategic expansion in Birmingham Innovation Quarter

Aston University acquires Birmingham City Council’s iconic 10 Woodcock Street Building for strategic expansion in Birmingham Innovation Quarter

Kenneth Booth September 11, 2024

Aston University is thrilled to announce the acquisition of the landmark 10 Woodcock Street building, previously owned by Birmingham City Council.  This strategic expansion will accommodate several of Aston University’s world-renowned schools and strategic initiatives, further solidifying the University’s commitment to innovation, business excellence, sustainability and community engagement in line with its bold 2030 Strategy. Originally opened by Birmingham City Council in 2011 as the second-largest purpose-built office building in Birmingham, 10 Woodcock Street was designed by Associated Architects and spans 8,000 square meters. The building served as the city council’s flagship site, housing over 3,000 staff members.  The building’s outstanding design and functionality have earned it numerous awards, including the National BCO Test of Time Award in 2017, National and Regional BCO Awards in 2013 and the Built in Quality Award in 2012. It also holds a BREEAM Excellent rating, reflecting its strong sustainability credentials. The newly acquired building will serve as a dynamic hub for several key schools and initiatives, including the globally recognised Aston Business School, Aston Law School, Aston Vision Sciences and the new state-of-the-art Aston Integrated Healthcare Hub.  The building will also house the Aston Business Incubator, which will open its doors to the most innovative tech businesses in Birmingham and the surrounding region. The new Aston Integrated Healthcare Hub will offer comprehensive preventative health and wellbeing services and will showcase the latest advancements in digital healthcare technology including a digital centre for remote patient monitoring. The hub will adopt an innovative ‘living lab’ concept by embedding research, training and student placements.  The Healthcare Hub will serve not only Aston University’s staff and students, but also the wider Birmingham community, underscoring the University’s commitment to improving public health outcomes. The new home of the ‘triple crown accredited’ Aston Business School will include the new Aston University CEO Academy and Executive Education Lounge, as well as contemporary business simulation labs (including the cutting-edge trading simulation lab and fintech lab).  The contemporary staff and student facilities will include a new restaurant and several social spaces for engagement and meetings, self-study and digitally enabled group work. Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, Professor Aleks Subic, expressed excitement about the acquisition:  “The purchase of 10 Woodcock Street represents a significant milestone in Aston University’s development.  “This world-class facility will provide a unified home for our internationally renowned Aston Business School, Aston Law School, Vision Sciences and our game changing Integrated Healthcare Hub, while also supporting the next generation of tech entrepreneurs through our Aston Business Incubator.  “This move aligns with our vision to drive innovation, support business growth and deliver impactful research and education that transform lives and drive inclusive growth.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Aldi Unveils Record £800m Investment to Supercharge UK Expansion

Aldi Unveils Record £800m Investment to Supercharge UK Expansion

Kenneth Booth September 11, 2024

Aldi has announced its largest-ever annual investment, committing £800 million to accelerate its store expansion across the UK. The supermarket giant plans to open 23 new stores by the end of the year, with key locations including Muswell Hill, London, and Caterham, Surrey. This forms part of a broader £1.4 billion two-year growth plan. In addition to expanding its footprint, Aldi is refurbishing 100 of its existing stores as part of the investment push. The announcement coincides with the release of Aldi’s 2023 annual results, revealing a remarkable £2.4 billion increase in sales, reaching a total of £17.9 billion—the retailer’s highest-ever growth period. Aldi’s pre-tax profit also saw a substantial rise, jumping to £536.7 million from £152.6 million in 2022. This boost in profitability was driven by record sales and enhanced operational efficiencies across its store network and central operations. Giles Hurley, CEO of Aldi UK and Ireland, commented: “British shoppers are voting with their feet and choosing Aldi as their first-choice supermarket. We’re responding with our biggest ever annual investment in Britain. For every £1 of profit generated last year, we’re investing £2 this year – opening more stores and building the supply infrastructure to bring high-quality, affordable groceries to millions more families across the country.” Hurley continued: “We’re also investing at record levels to cut prices, reward our amazing colleagues, and support more local causes. All while creating thousands of jobs and providing even more opportunities for our growing base of British suppliers and farmers.” With over 1,000 stores currently in the UK, Aldi is aiming for a long-term goal of reaching 1,500 locations, solidifying its position as one of Britain’s most rapidly expanding supermarket chains. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Admiral Taverns Expands with Acquisition of 18 Marston’s Pubs

Admiral Taverns Expands with Acquisition of 18 Marston’s Pubs

Kenneth Booth September 11, 2024

Admiral Taverns, the UK’s leading community pub group, has announced the acquisition of 18 freehold pubs from Marston’s PLC. The move further strengthens Admiral’s extensive portfolio, taking the total number of pubs in its estate to over 1,420. The newly acquired wet-led establishments are spread across key locations, including Dorset, Derbyshire, and Yorkshire, and continue Admiral’s focus on community-centred venues. This acquisition marks Admiral’s second major deal of the year, following the purchase of 37 pubs from Fuller, Smith & Turner PLC in May, which bolstered their presence in the South-East. The group’s strategy of profitable expansion is evident in these moves, cementing its position as a major player in the community pub sector. CEO of Admiral Taverns, Chris Jowsey, expressed excitement about the new additions: “I look forward to welcoming these licensees into the Admiral family and working with them to grow these pubs as thriving small businesses and social hubs. We have a great relationship with Marston’s, and this acquisition aligns perfectly with our goal to enhance our portfolio of community pubs.” In the last 12 months, Admiral has invested over £38 million in key areas such as refurbishments and sustainability upgrades, showcasing their commitment to the long-term success of their pubs. The group was also recently honoured with the ‘Best Community Pub Operator’ Award at the Publican Awards. Andy Kershaw, Director of Property at Marston’s PLC, commented: “This sale aligns with our strategic review of our estate. Admiral Taverns is the ideal home for these pubs, which fit well with their business model.” This deal underscores the continued resilience of the pub sector, with Admiral Taverns leading the charge in supporting local communities through their entrepreneurial licensees and high-quality estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Building Better and PfH sign up traditional building firms to £800m MMC framework

Building Better and PfH sign up traditional building firms to £800m MMC framework

Kenneth Booth September 11, 2024

20 traditional construction companies and two MMC firms have been appointed to a new build framework, where they will carry out principal contractor duties on social housing offsite projects. The Integrated Traditional Build & MMC framework has been launched by Procurement for Housing (PfH) and Building Better, the National Housing Federation-backed alliance of housing associations and councils working together to boost the use of modern methods of construction (MMC) in social housing. PfH and Building Better set up the framework following feedback from social housing organisations who said they wanted trusted local building firms to lead MMC projects and deliver traditional construction elements, where they were needed. The 22 building firms have been appointed across 37 different regions of England and Wales, ensuring that housing associations and local authorities can always work with contractors from their own communities. The £800m framework will run over four years and supports social housing providers to procure principal contractor services for a range of MMC projects, including low and medium rise housing, apartments and extra care homes. The traditional construction firms appointed are: AMMCASS Group, Bugler Developments, CG Fry & Son, Classic Builders, Elkins Construction, Ermine Construction Services, Feltham Construction, Hale Group, Hill Holdings, J. Harper & Sons (Leominster), Keon Homes, Langstone Construction, LIFE Build Solutions, MY Construction Group, Seddon Construction, SMD, Snowdon Homes, Wates Residential, Whitfield & Brown and Wiggett Construction. The MMC firms appointed are: Agile Property and Homes, and Enevate Homes. Tony Woods, Technical Manager – Construction & Sustainability for PfH said: “Over recent years we’ve seen MMC companies focusing more on manufacturing their systems rather than providing a turnkey service. It makes sense to bring in traditional builders with a strong reputation in a local area to manage these MMC projects and deliver any traditional build elements, too. We’ve also appointed two MMC firms that provide excellent turnkey services. All 22 firms are experienced lead contractors, and often have a relationship with social housing providers already. This framework provides councils and housing associations with a compliant route to procuring principal contractor services for MMC sites.” Jamie Watkins, Operations Manager at Elkins Construction, said: “We are delighted to be accepted onto this new framework, giving registered providers access to our services, where we can offer newbuild residential solutions using either traditional or Modern Methods of Construction. Over the last few years, we have seen increased requirements from our clients for net zero homes and this has meant the need to use more innovation in our construction practices. By using MMC or hybrid construction we can cut down time on site, reducing disruption to the communities we work in, improve quality through offsite manufacturing and reduce our carbon footprint, whilst providing our clients with highly energy efficient homes for their residents.” Antony Rees, Group Managing Director, J. Harper & Sons (Leominster) said: “Harpers are thrilled to have been appointed to the Procurement for Housing Framework. We are excited to deliver cost-effective, sustainable, and high-quality developments that meet the evolving needs of social housing organisations. With decades of industry experience, we have refined our expertise and look forward to continuing to deliver projects of the highest standard that meet the diverse needs of our communities.” Lewis Tolputt, Business Development Manager at Classic Builders, said: “Classic Builders is excited to be awarded a place on the new PfH framework. As a traditional contractor founded over 20 years ago, we are continually looking at ways we can innovate and offer our customers increased choice. The use of MMC products is just one of the ways we’re able to stay ahead of our competition. From delivering multi-award winning Passivhaus Plus schemes to pioneering zero carbon LETI compliant projects, by utilising MMC technology we’re able to build a better and more efficient tomorrow, today.” For further information about the Integrated Traditional Build & MMC framework, visit: https://procurementforhousing.co.uk/frameworksa-z/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Wickes Eyes Ambitious Expansion with Plans for 250 Stores

Wickes Eyes Ambitious Expansion with Plans for 250 Stores

Kenneth Booth September 11, 2024

Wickes has unveiled an “exciting pipeline” of new store openings as the DIY and trade retailer sets its sights on reaching 250 locations in the coming years. This announcement comes as part of the retailer’s interim results for the first half of 2024, a period that saw the opening of two new stores in Long Eaton and Durham. However, Wickes also made the decision to close two underperforming branches in Ashton Gate, Bristol, and Inverness, leaving it with a total of 229 stores by the end of June. Looking ahead, Wickes remains optimistic about its expansion plans. The company’s property strategy is on track for the remainder of the year, with a new store in Aberdeen – its first in Scotland in over a decade – having opened in August, and another branch in Leamington Spa expected to launch in the final quarter of 2024. Despite a challenging first half, during which Wickes reported total revenues of £799.9 million, a 3.4% drop year-on-year, and a dip in adjusted pre-tax profit to £23.4 million (down from £31.1 million in the first half of 2023), the retailer is optimistic about future growth. Trading in the third quarter has already shown signs of improvement. David Wood, Chief Executive of Wickes, said: “We are on track for the remainder of the year and have been encouraged by trading at the start of the second half. Looking further ahead, our outstanding customer offer, proven growth levers, and focus on cost control leave us well-placed within a home improvement market which continues to offer significant opportunities.” As Wickes focuses on its long-term goal of expanding to 250 locations, it continues to position itself as a key player in the UK’s home improvement sector, building on its solid customer base and strategic property growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Savills Strengthens Retail Research Team with Key Director Appointment

Savills Strengthens Retail Research Team with Key Director Appointment

Kenneth Booth September 11, 2024

Savills has bolstered its retail, leisure, and food and beverage research capabilities by appointing Matt Thompson as director in a newly created role. With over 15 years of experience in retail and consumer insights within the real estate sector, Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. He joins from Shaftesbury Capital, where he served as Head of Property Insight, and previously held the position of Head of Retail Strategy at Colliers for six years. In his new role, Thompson will collaborate with Savills’ retail and leisure agency and research teams, focusing on integrating analytics and consumer data to create commercial value for clients. Alan Spencer, Head of UK Retail at Savills, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Matt to the team. His expertise in consumer intelligence will enhance our consultancy services and support our ongoing projects.” Thompson added: “I’m excited to bring my experience to Savills, helping clients navigate the shifting consumer landscape and ma Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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HG Construction Turnover climbs to £424m in 2023

HG Construction Turnover climbs to £424m in 2023

Kenneth Booth September 10, 2024

Leading UK contractor HG Construction has exceeded a turnover of £400m for the first time, posting a turnover of £424m in 2023. This represents an increase of 26% from 2022, when the company achieved a turnover of £336m.  The company remained profitable throughout what it described as a very challenging year, achieving a gross margin of 3.8% and a gross profit figure of £14.7m. Whilst the margin achieved was notably less than the previous year, the contractor believes that 2024 will see a return to stronger margins following the completion of legacy fixed price contracts and with less turbulent trading conditions to contend with. HG Construction has grown significantly in the past five years, entering into new sectors and expanding into regions including Leeds, Manchester and Bristol.  It has also invested into a manufacturing facility in Hull, where the company produces bespoke bathroom pods and utility cupboards for use in its schemes, offering quality, programme and environmental benefits for clients. Adam Quinn, CEO, HG Construction, said: “We are pleased to have achieved our growth targets over what was an extremely challenging year with record price inflation. This impacted our profitability across fixed price contracts in particular, however we continued to invest in our internal delivery capabilities and this offered us some level of protection against escalating costs. “HG Construction has undergone a period of significant growth in recent years, and we have invested in plant, procedures and staff in line with our expansion. Going forward our focus will be on revenue stabilisation and internal strengthening, ensuring that our structure, procedures and processes enable us to maintain the high standards we are committed to.   “We are proud of our teams for their hard work and dedication, keeping safety, quality and delivery at the forefront of our offering and ensuring a consistently high level of service for our valued client base. 2024 is proving to be a year of more certainty and stability and we are pleased to have secured a strong pipeline of work in our core sectors.  Our focus will remain on supporting our teams to deliver exceptional standards and maximising our social value contributions across our sites. We are excited to be working on outstanding schemes across the UK and feel very positive about the next phase in our company’s evolution.” HG’s clients include Dominus, Elysian Residences, Greystar, Manner, Meadow Residential, McLaren Property/Living, Scape, Studio Hive, Southern Housing Group and Tribe Student Housing. Recent contract wins include a 1014 bed PBSA scheme in Manchester, a 375 bed build-to-rent scheme in Leeds and a 706 bed PBSA scheme in Bristol. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Nurture Group Expands with 49th Acquisition, Welcoming Environmental Specialists Hortech

Nurture Group Expands with 49th Acquisition, Welcoming Environmental Specialists Hortech

Kenneth Booth September 10, 2024

The Nurture Group has strengthened its position in the environmental services sector with the acquisition of Hortech Limited, a leading provider of environmental solutions based in Stone, Staffordshire. This marks the group’s 49th acquisition, further enhancing its sustainability and service offerings across the UK. Founded in 1987, Hortech operates a network of regional depots throughout England, Wales, and Scotland. The company boasts an £8.5 million turnover and employs over 100 staff, delivering bespoke services such as grounds maintenance, invasive weed control, arboriculture, and pest control to a wide range of clients in sectors including utilities, telecoms, industrial, and facilities management. Peter Fane, Executive Chairman and Founder of the Nurture Group, hailed the acquisition as a significant step in bolstering the group’s environmental credentials. He commented: “As a carbon-neutral business, proud to comply with the global PAS 2060 standard, this acquisition is the perfect fit as we continue to strengthen our environmental service offerings across the UK.” This deal follows closely on the heels of Nurture Group’s acquisition of Spacecare Ltd in July. Fane added: “We are delighted to welcome Hortech Limited to the Nurture Group family. Their arboricultural expertise aligns seamlessly with our recent acquisition of Gristwood & Toms, expanding our reach in northern England and Scotland. Hortech’s diverse range of services, including invasive weed control, complements and enhances our current offerings.” “Hortech’s renowned ‘can-do’ attitude, strong commitment to health and safety, and dedication to staff training further solidify Nurture Group’s reputation as the leading consolidator and acquirer of choice in the market,” Fane continued. “This acquisition allows us to continue building a national presence across all our core services.” Hortech Director Duncan Jones expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying: “At Hortech, we pride ourselves on providing tailored solutions and outstanding service, drawing on our deep industry expertise. We share Nurture Group’s passion for delivering excellence, and our portfolio aligns perfectly with theirs, particularly in the northern regions where Nurture’s operations have recently grown.” “Both companies share common values of teamwork, respect, and integrity, making this partnership a natural fit for us,” Jones added. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Investment hotspots: The top five areas of London for buy-to-let property revealed

Investment hotspots: The top five areas of London for buy-to-let property revealed

Kenneth Booth September 10, 2024

New research has revealed the London boroughs where buy-to-let landlords currently looking to invest can generate the best returns. Drawing on the latest house price and private rental data, property analysts at SBA Property Management have identified Tower Hamlets as the highest-yielding borough for rental returns. With average property values of £456,375 and monthly rental costs of £2,244, the inner London borough offers buy-to-let investors yields of 5.9% — significantly higher than the London average at 4.81%. Another area for investors to target is Southwark, which has average house prices of £476,177 and private rents of £2,219, yielding returns of 5.59%. Other opportunity areas identified by SBA Property Management are Newham, Barking & Dagenham and Greenwich, offering average rental yields of 5.23%, 5.06% and 4.96% respectively. The news comes shortly after interest rates were cut by the Bank of England for the first time since March 2020, setting the stage for mortgage costs to fall over the coming months. With further cuts forecast in 2025, property investors will be in an even stronger position to buy. Habib Mogul, Director at SBA Property Management, commented: “After several years of uncertainty, London’s property market is again shaping up to be one of the UK’s most attractive investment opportunities. Falling mortgage costs and stable property prices combined with high demand for rental accommodation means buy-to-let property in particular offers great potential for returns. “Historically, large deposits and borrowing costs have been a barrier for buy-to-let landlords looking to invest in the capital. However, our research shows that many of the highest-yielding areas are those with the lowest property prices, reducing the initial investment needed to secure a piece of London’s lucrative property market.” Average house prices in the five boroughs identified by SBA Property Management are below the London average, with Barking & Dagenham and Newham being two of the three most affordable boroughs for property investors. In Barking & Dagenham – the London borough with the cheapest house prices – buy-to-let landlords would only need £51,060 for a typical 15% deposit to start earning above-average returns on their investment. Tim Darwall-Smith, Director at SBA Property Management, said: “In recent years, we’ve seen London’s property market buck the trend of rising house prices seen across the rest of the country. At the same time, rental costs in the capital have surged, putting buy-to-let landlords in an advantageous position. “The easing of mortgage costs brings more relief to buy-to-let landlords, freeing up resources to make value-boosting renovations and deliver a better tenant experience. Ultimately, the investors with well-managed properties will be best placed to benefit from London’s highly profitable rental market.” To find out more about SBA Property Management’s services, visit: https://sbaproperty.com/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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O’Dowd welcomes new era for public transport as Belfast Grand Central Station opens

O’Dowd welcomes new era for public transport as Belfast Grand Central Station opens

Kenneth Booth September 10, 2024

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has welcomed a new era for public transport as services begin to be phased in at Belfast Grand Central Station. Bus stands at the new world class transport hub became operational this week in the first phase of opening. Set to be Ireland’s largest integrated transport hub, the new facility will advance the transformation of public transport with a step change in customer experience. A date for the commencement of rail services will be confirmed once the rail safety authorisation process is complete.  That important and necessary process is continuing and will be finalised as soon as possible to enable train services at the new station to get underway. Public Realm work to put a clear focus on allocation of road space to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport around the station will continue in to 2025. Speaking as he opened Grand Central Station as bus services begin to operate, John O’Dowd said: “This is truly a new era for public transport here in Belfast and across the north and indeed the island of Ireland.  This new flagship station is iconic as well as historic and it signals our intent in relation to our climate commitments and our focus on transport decarbonization.   There is no doubt that this is an impressive facility with the space to cater for up to 20million customer journeys per year, with 26 bus stands and double the number of rail platforms from four to eight.  With 200+ spaces for bicycles, we are focused on encouraging more active travel and providing passenger facilities and services that deliver an enhanced user experience. “This is an example of the importance of infrastructure and the transformative changes my department can deliver.  I would like to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly on this project to make this happen and bring the vision of Ireland’s largest integrated transport hub to reality.”  Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive said: “We are excited to be opening this modern major transport interchange this week.  With advanced customer features and integrated networks, it offers huge opportunity to grow public transport driving economic development across the region and play a major part in tacking the climate emergency.  That means a better-connected future for people and communities for generations to come.   “I would like to thank the Minister and his Department for the funding and the wider NI Executive for their support in designating this as a Flagship Project.   “I would also like to thank the Translink team and the contractors for their commitment and dedication to get this project to this key stage”. Duane McCreadie, Project Director for Farrans Sacyr JV, said:  “The departure of the first bus from Belfast Grand Central Station this weekend has been a proud moment for the FSJV team who have worked hard to deliver this first operational phase on time. “There has been a true sense of collaboration on this project since day one and we have worked closely alongside Translink, Babcock and our local supply chain to meet the challenging construction programme. This is an impressive building which has been built for the city of Belfast by local people who are invested in our region. We know that it will have wide ranging positive benefits for sustainable travel in Northern Ireland.”  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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