One of the UK’s leading independent builders’ merchants has joined forces with two of the nation’s most respected charities in the construction industry. Huws Gray Group has secured two-year partnerships with Mates in Mind and CRASH and is focused on helping raise awareness of mental health issues and homelessness. The
Greggs, the beloved UK bakery chain, has announced ambitious plans to open up to 150 net new stores in 2025 after a record-breaking year of expansion. The company revealed a “strong pipeline of opportunities” that will support its continued growth, with plans including 50 store relocations to optimise its presence
Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., supported by LS Estates, have appointed construction services organisation Morgan Sindall Construction (Morgan Sindall) to be the lead contractor for the new life science development at 17 Columbus Courtyard (17CC), Canary Wharf. Morgan Sindall will begin work on site in January 2025 to
A new planning application has been submitted by McTaggart Construction and Ravenscraig Limited to North Lanarkshire Council for a residential development and 14,500 sq ft of retail space on the former industrial steel works site of Ravenscraig. The proposals will see the delivery of 48 affordable homes on Prospecthill Road.
Drylining, insulation and M&E solutions distributor etag has appointed Michael Kelly as its Sales Director for the Irish market, harnessing over 20 years of experience in the industry to elevate the company’s position in the construction sector. Michael originally joined the industry with Heat Merchants, beginning with a summer job and then progressing with
Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest port operator, has unveiled plans for a major expansion at its Stallingborough Interchange site in the Humber region. This development promises to deliver cutting-edge automotive open storage facilities, bolstering ABP’s capacity to meet the needs of its customers at the Ports of Immingham
Whitbread PLC, the UK’s leading hospitality company and owner of Premier Inn, has announced plans to expand its presence in Northern Ireland with the development of a new 81-bedroom Premier Inn hotel at Belfast International Airport. This move follows a recent agreement-for-lease with JHT Hotels Limited, a subsidiary of Northern
Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, is to deliver a further 608 homes across phases four and five of Eastern Green in Coventry, with half of them delivered in joint venture partnership with award-winning housing provider Citizen. Eastern Green is a sustainable urban extension of Coventry, with outline
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor specialising in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has announced the completion of the third project awarded to it under the Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) highways framework contract. Major improvements on Dysart Road in Grantham,
B&Q has announced its plans to acquire five leasehold Homebase stores across the UK for a total investment of £2.5 million. This strategic move will add over 269,000 square feet of retail space to B&Q’s growing portfolio, cementing its position as a leader in the home improvement sector. A New
One of the UK’s leading independent builders’ merchants has joined forces with two of the nation’s most respected charities in the construction industry. Huws Gray Group has secured two-year partnerships with Mates in Mind and CRASH and is focused on helping raise awareness of mental health issues and homelessness. The collaboration will also see the company provide resources, products and general support to vital construction schemes which care for the homeless and people of all ages with life-limiting illnesses. Daksh Gupta, Huws Gray Group CEO, is looking forward to working with both charities and reinforcing the good work of the organisations among staff, customers and stakeholders. Daksh says: “We are incredibly excited to announce both Mates in Mind and CRASH as our new charity partners. We recognise the critical importance and the huge difference both charities make in the construction sector and are looking forward to working with them to raise awareness of their good work throughout our various stakeholder relationships.” Mates in Mind is a leading UK charity raising awareness and addressing the stigma of poor mental health. This new partnership extends the relationship to all brands under the Group including Civils and Lintels, an existing support of the cause. Sam Downie, Mates in Mind Managing Director, said: “We are so grateful that Huws Gray chose us as a charity partner, it gives us the opportunity to reach more organisations, and it is only through working together that we can create a sector where work is good for workers. “At Mates in Mind, we know that building a culture of prevention can reduce the likelihood of individuals reaching crisis point, as supporting positive mental health in and through work becomes an integral part of everyone’s role. With Huws Gray’s support we will be able to provide resources and advice to more organisations and individuals throughout the four nations, reaching people that have not had access to our help before.” Huws Gray Group has also partnered with CRASH, becoming one of its corporate patrons for the next two years. Established in 1996, CRASH is the construction industry’s charity bringing together the professional expertise, products and donations of the construction industry to deliver their vital construction projects for homelessness and hospices charities creating places that care for people when they’re at their most vulnerable. Trisha Pickersgill, Chief Executive for CRASH charity, is delighted to welcome Huws Gray as a corporate patron, adding: “We are delighted to announce that Huws Gray has chosen to partner with CRASH for the forthcoming two years 2025 and 2026 by becoming CRASH patrons. “Working collaboratively to provide support from across the Huws Gray Group to aid CRASH with their vital construction and refurbishment of hospices, shelters and move-on accommodation making a difference to the lives of people who are homeless, and children and adults receiving hospice care. This partnership will make a huge difference to the project support that CRASH can offer to the charities that it receives applications from. We look forward to a long-lasting relationship.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Greggs, the beloved UK bakery chain, has announced ambitious plans to open up to 150 net new stores in 2025 after a record-breaking year of expansion. The company revealed a “strong pipeline of opportunities” that will support its continued growth, with plans including 50 store relocations to optimise its presence across the country. A Milestone Year in 2024 Last year, Greggs achieved a milestone by opening 226 new stores, marking its highest-ever annual growth. After accounting for 28 closures and 53 relocations, the company achieved a net increase of 145 shops, bringing its total to 2,618 by year-end. This figure includes 2,057 company-managed stores and 561 franchised locations. In its latest trading update, Greggs reported a 7.7% increase in sales during the final quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Total annual sales reached an impressive £2.01 billion, a significant rise from £1.81 billion the previous year. CEO Reflects on Success and Future Plans Roisin Currie, Chief Executive of Greggs, hailed the chain’s achievements:“2024 was another year of good progress by Greggs, with a record number of new shops opened and the £2 billion sales milestone surpassed. I’m incredibly proud of our teams who, day in and day out, do such a fantastic job for our customers.” Looking ahead, Currie expressed optimism despite challenges in the broader retail environment:“We enter 2025 with a strong pipeline of new shop opportunities and continue to broaden our menu and enhance our digital capabilities. Additionally, we are investing in our supply chain capacity to support our growth strategy. While lower consumer confidence continues to impact high street footfall and spending, our value-for-money offer and the quality of our freshly prepared food and drink position us well to navigate the challenges ahead.” Balancing Growth and Resilience Greggs’ success comes amid a challenging retail landscape, with high street footfall still recovering from pandemic lows and ongoing pressures on consumer spending. The bakery chain’s focus on affordable, freshly made food and expanding its digital services has helped it stand out in a competitive market. By continuing to innovate and expand, Greggs is poised to maintain its position as one of the UK’s favourite food-to-go chains. With plans for 150 new stores this year, the company is clearly ready to take another bite out of the market in 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., supported by LS Estates, have appointed construction services organisation Morgan Sindall Construction (Morgan Sindall) to be the lead contractor for the new life science development at 17 Columbus Courtyard (17CC), Canary Wharf. Morgan Sindall will begin work on site in January 2025 to oversee the transformation of the existing building into a new state-of-the-art life science and technology hub, catering to the evolving needs of current and future occupants from across the sector. Completion of the building is planned for Q3 2026, and marketing will commence early this year with a focus on a balanced mix of younger fast growing startups/scaleups and more established life science corporates. Designed by architects Scott Brownrigg and benefitting from direct connections to the Elizabeth Line, the high quality research facility will provide 190,000 sq ft of flexible laboratory and office space spanning nine upper floors, while the ground floor will feature a new communal amenity area with café, co-working space, and shared high-spec meeting rooms and conference facilities. Occupiers at 17CC will benefit from a dedicated on-site manager responsible for developing the facility’s research ecosystem and enhancing tenants’ experience. Rowan Jenkins, Managing Director – Development at LS Estates, said: “Morgan Sindall’s appointment as lead contractor for 17CC marks a significant milestone in the building’s transformation to becoming a cutting-edge life science and technology facility for Canary Wharf. “17CC has been designed to provide a collaborative environment throughout, with flexible floorspace and specification options available for a range of different occupiers, from late-stage start-ups to more established companies.” Mark Swetman, CEO at LS Estates, said: “Working in partnership with Morgan Sindall is a positive step towards the redevelopment of 17CC. We look forward to seeing the successful completion of this state-of-the-art research facility, which will form an integral part of the emerging Canary Wharf life science cluster.” 17CC will minimise both embodied and operational carbon, embracing the principles of a circular economy by retaining, repurposing and upgrading as much of the existing building as possible. This approach will minimise raw material usage, limiting the upfront embodied carbon for the project to just 337 kgCO2e/m2 and will divert at least 95 per cent of construction waste from landfill. Richard Dobson, Morgan Sindall Construction’s Area Director for London, said: “17CC will exemplify how existing buildings can be repurposed and adapted to accommodate the changing nature of the workplace, assisting occupants in meeting their sustainability objectives. “We’re looking forward to working alongside LS Estates to realise the potential 17CC has to offer for innovators working across the life science and technology sector.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new planning application has been submitted by McTaggart Construction and Ravenscraig Limited to North Lanarkshire Council for a residential development and 14,500 sq ft of retail space on the former industrial steel works site of Ravenscraig. The proposals will see the delivery of 48 affordable homes on Prospecthill Road. Meanwhile, McTaggart Construction also proposes to create a neighbourhood retail hub to the south east of the site with commercial units and potential drive through development. Ravenscraig is one of Europe’s largest regeneration and community creation initiatives, with a masterplan focused on sustainable and inclusive growth. The vision is to create a self-sufficient community with high quality housing, transport links, education and employment opportunities. To date 1,000 homes have been built across the site and education contributions totalling £4.7m have been made to North Lanarkshire Council. Other positive developments in recent months for Ravenscraig include two successful planning applications within the site’s dedicated employment area, SevenFourEight. This includes permission granted for a £10m employment hub project, led by Fusion Assets with industrial space for up to ten businesses, and the construction of a 38,000 sq ft commercial vehicle workshop and sales facility for Motus Commercials, part of the Motus Group (UK). Russell Wilkie, Director at Ravenscraig Limited, said, “It has been a significant year for Ravenscraig with considerable progress made to our masterplan in 2024. This is a long term project and each planning application brings us a step closer to realising the vision for Ravenscraig and growing a thriving local community. “It’s fantastic to see the proposals from McTaggart Construction which will add to our future mixed residential offering and bring retail space to the mix too. I know that local residents are very keen to see a retail offering within Ravenscraig and we are eager to see this delivered quickly alongside McTaggart Construction.” Janice Russell from McTaggart Construction, said: “It’s great to make progress in our proposed plans for a new housing and neighbourhood retail development at Ravenscraig. This project represents a significant investment and contribution to community wealth building within the ongoing wider Ravenscraig regeneration. Once our plans are approved, we look forward to working with stakeholders and the community to provide additional homes and a much-needed neighbourhood retail hub.” For more information on the vision for Ravenscraig and latest news visit ravenscraig.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Drylining, insulation and M&E solutions distributor etag has appointed Michael Kelly as its Sales Director for the Irish market, harnessing over 20 years of experience in the industry to elevate the company’s position in the construction sector. Michael originally joined the industry with Heat Merchants, beginning with a summer job and then progressing with the company over 14 years to become a Branch Manager and Regional Sales Manager. In 2012, he joined the Grafton Group as Regional Heating Manager to develop the company’s heating and plumbing offering within the subsidiaries of Chadwicks and Heaton Buckley. Over the years, he progressed to the role of Regional Director, and most recently worked as Sales Director for Chadwicks, where he was responsible for maintaining and developing relationships with Tier 1 contractors and oversaw the development and implementation of a new CRM strategy to enhance customer engagement. Now, in his new position at etag he will focus on developing team members and building a strong sales team to support customer growth. Michael said: “There is a generally positive feeling from both clients and suppliers when it comes to the Irish economy, and the upcoming market opportunities will align well with etag’s growth strategy and target sectors. To join an organisation where I can use my experience to make a meaningful contribution and tangible difference is a brilliant opportunity and one I jumped at. “I’m committed to building on etag’s 20-year legacy, maintaining our personal touch and deep understanding of our customers’ needs. Whether businesses have worked with etag for the last two decades or are new, I’m looking forward to building on these partnerships to help fuel growth for our customers.” Tony Taylor, CEO of etag, said: “Michael’s experience in our sector is irrefutable, and he is unarguably going to be an enormous asset to our team. I’m looking forward to seeing how Michael uses his knowledge of the sector to foster fantastic working principles in our employees, ensuring they are armed with the skills and tools to have a direct impact on the growth of our customers’ businesses – something that is incredibly important to us. Welcome to the team, Michael.” Established in 2004, etag is a complete system solutions provider of drylining, insulation, membranes, M&E support systems and fixings, which prides itself on creating efficiencies in project timelines and processes through its products and services. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest port operator, has unveiled plans for a major expansion at its Stallingborough Interchange site in the Humber region. This development promises to deliver cutting-edge automotive open storage facilities, bolstering ABP’s capacity to meet the needs of its customers at the Ports of Immingham and Grimsby. A Strategic Move for Growth ABP’s commitment to growth was solidified with the acquisition of the 227.5-acre Stallingborough site’s freehold in December last year. A key element of this strategy is the submission of an outline planning application for 96 acres of the site, targeted at the automotive sector. The plans include external storage and distribution facilities, up to 12,000 square metres of associated buildings, landscaping designed to enhance biodiversity, solar PV panels, and essential infrastructure. Andrew Dawes, Regional Director of ABP’s Humber Ports, emphasised the importance of this investment: “This strategic investment in the growth of our Humber ports ensures we maintain a leading position in the port sector. Supporting our customers’ expansion is crucial for driving regional investment and creating jobs.” Meeting Rising Demand With demand increasing for energy generation, automotive storage, bulk warehousing, and distribution facilities, this development is a timely response to evolving market needs. Greg Lacey, Head of Property (Humber) at ABP, highlighted the site’s potential: “This significant investment brings to fruition our shared ambition to create a major UK port logistics hub. Stallingborough is uniquely positioned as one of the largest development parcels near the ports and a key opportunity in the Yorkshire region.” Seventy acres of the site will be dedicated to the automotive sector, supporting growth at Immingham and Grimsby ports. ABP plans to begin work on the scheme next year, with additional plans for green landscaping and solar panels to provide renewable energy to the development. A Prime Location Strategically located near the A180 dual carriageway, the site benefits from exceptional connectivity, including proximity to the Humber Link Road, a key transport link completed in 2021 that connects Immingham and Grimsby. This location offers unparalleled access to motorway networks, further enhancing its appeal as a logistics hub. The site, known as Pioneer Business Park (PBP), has been earmarked for employment use since 2013. Traditionally used for agriculture, it now represents a cornerstone of ABP’s property strategy and a critical asset for future-proofing commercial growth on the Humber. A Vision for Sustainability Sustainability is central to ABP’s plans. In addition to green energy initiatives like ground-mounted solar panels, the site will feature landscaping designed to boost biodiversity, ensuring the development aligns with modern environmental standards. “We are committed to integrating sustainable practices throughout our operations,” Dawes added. “This development not only supports our customers but also aligns with our broader goals of environmental stewardship and innovation.” The Road Ahead As ABP looks to the future, the Stallingborough expansion is a testament to its commitment to driving regional growth, fostering innovation, and meeting the needs of a dynamic global market. With its strategic location, cutting-edge facilities, and focus on sustainability, this development positions ABP at the forefront of the UK’s port industry while reinforcing its role as a key player in the Humber’s economic future. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Whitbread PLC, the UK’s leading hospitality company and owner of Premier Inn, has announced plans to expand its presence in Northern Ireland with the development of a new 81-bedroom Premier Inn hotel at Belfast International Airport. This move follows a recent agreement-for-lease with JHT Hotels Limited, a subsidiary of Northern Irish developer J H Turkington and Sons, signed in late December. The new hotel is set to open its doors in mid-2026, marking the latest addition to Whitbread’s growing portfolio of airport locations across the UK and Ireland. Building on Success This investment is part of a strategic drive to strengthen Premier Inn’s footprint in key travel hubs. Since September 2024, Whitbread has added over 550 bedrooms to its airport portfolio at Manchester, Edinburgh, and Belfast airports. In its core UK and Ireland market, the company currently operates more than 85,500 rooms across 855 locations, with ambitious plans to expand to 125,000 rooms in the coming years. Jill Anderson, Acquisition Manager for Whitbread, highlighted the importance of this latest development:“Securing such a prime location at Belfast International Airport reinforces our commitment to growing our network in key travel hubs across the UK and Ireland. The site offers an exceptional opportunity to serve the airport’s six million annual passengers, providing the quality, comfort, and affordability Premier Inn is known for.” Strategic Airport Location The new hotel will be situated at the junction of Airport Road, Antrim Road, and British Roads, directly opposite the airport’s long-stay car park and within easy walking distance of the terminal. Designed to meet the needs of modern travellers, the hotel will feature an on-site restaurant and bar, 125 dedicated parking spaces (including seven for mobility-impaired guests), and landscaped grounds with improved site access. Planning permission for the development was granted by the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in November 2024. Construction is expected to commence in 2025, with the project representing a £6 million investment (on a capitalised lease expenditure basis). Creating Local Opportunities The hotel is set to create around 30 permanent roles once operational, contributing to the local economy and offering employment opportunities in the hospitality sector. This development also signals Whitbread’s first new Premier Inn in Northern Ireland since the opening of its Lisburn location in 2019. Beyond Belfast, Whitbread is actively scouting for additional Premier Inn locations in Belfast City Centre, Enniskillen, and Newry, aiming to expand on its existing network of hotels in Bangor, Carrickfergus, Lisburn, and Derry/Londonderry. Looking Ahead The Belfast International Airport development underscores Whitbread’s commitment to addressing the increasing demand for quality, budget-friendly accommodation in Northern Ireland’s busiest travel hub. With millions of passengers passing through the airport annually, the new Premier Inn is set to play a key role in supporting the region’s growing tourism and travel sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, is to deliver a further 608 homes across phases four and five of Eastern Green in Coventry, with half of them delivered in joint venture partnership with award-winning housing provider Citizen. Eastern Green is a sustainable urban extension of Coventry, with outline planning permission in place for 2,400 homes and other community services. Vistry and Citizen are already developing phase one, which is providing 247 homes. Across phases four and five, 304 of the homes will be sold on the open market via Vistry’s retail housing brands, with 152 homes delivered for Citizen via the site’s Section 106 agreement, and the balance of 152 homes delivered as ‘additional’ affordable homes thanks to the joint venture partnership. Alongside the new homes, the Urban Extension at Eastern Green is providing 15ha of new employment space, 10,000 sq m of retail space, a primary school, a new local centre and a convenience store, as well as a range of ecological enhancements. James Warrington, Executive Chair at Vistry Group, said: “Continuing our joint venture with Citizen at Eastern Green is great example of Vistry’s long term partnerships strategy – it’s enabling us to provide more than 800 new homes across three phases, with 50% of them offered in affordable tenures and the remainder for sale with one of our retail housing brands, perfectly demonstrating the strengths of the Group.” Nick Byrne, Executive Director of Development at Citizen, said: “We’re pleased to be continuing our joint venture with Vistry and provide more affordable and market sale homes for people living in the West Midlands. “At Citizen we have an ambitious development programme to build homes to meet the needs of our region and we also work with our partners, including Vistry, to make a positive difference to our customers and communities. “We’re looking forward to seeing work at Eastern Green in Coventry continue building on our existing presence in the area.” Tim Roberts, CEO at Henry Boot, commented: “This sale to Vistry is a significant transaction for Hallam, executing the phased sale of the wider Pickford Gate site according to plan, which will create thousands of much needed new homes in the area. It also highlights the continued demand for prime sites from leading national housebuilders.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor specialising in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has announced the completion of the third project awarded to it under the Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) highways framework contract. Major improvements on Dysart Road in Grantham, Lincolnshire, were completed a month ahead of schedule on 20th December, marking the end of a four-month reconstruction effort which has included the junctions of adjoining side roads. This project has spanned two-kilometres, from Dysart Road’s junction with Sankt Augustin Way to the A1 overbridge, and has been delivered under the General Works Lot contract, which aims to improve infrastructure assets across Lincolnshire over a four-year period. Winvic has excavated and rebuilt the entire two-kilometre road in sections, redeveloped the carriageway, resurfaced and created new pathways using nearly 8,000 tonnes of material. Additionally, Winvic completed comprehensive drainage, kerbing, and channel repairs, and refreshed carriageway markings. To ensure public safety a westbound one-way closure on Dysart Road was in place throughout the works, along with a combination of daytime and night-time road closures towards the end of the project. Rob Cook, Winvic’s Managing Director for Civils and Infrastructure, commented: “We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our third highways project under the Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) highways framework. “The delivery of Dysart Road’s major reconstruction is a testament to our team’s expertise, efficiency and commitment to excellence. Delivered effectively, ahead of schedule, and with minimal disruption to the local community, this achievement highlights our dedication to providing transformative infrastructure upgrades that bring tangible benefits to both local communities and road users. “We are proud to have exceeded expectations on all three associated projects – A16 Marsh Lane, Boston; Newland, Lincoln; and now Dysart Road, Grantham. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with LCC and working on further infrastructure advancements for Lincolnshire.” For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news, and job vacancies, please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit X (formerly Twitter) @WinvicLtd and LinkedIn. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
B&Q has announced its plans to acquire five leasehold Homebase stores across the UK for a total investment of £2.5 million. This strategic move will add over 269,000 square feet of retail space to B&Q’s growing portfolio, cementing its position as a leader in the home improvement sector. A New Chapter for B&Q The five stores, located in Altrincham, Basingstoke, Biggleswade, Leamington Spa, and Worcester, will undergo a transformation as they are converted to the B&Q brand. Subject to landlord approvals, the transaction is expected to be finalised in the first quarter of Kingfisher’s 2025/26 financial year. Store conversions are scheduled to begin in spring 2025, with completion anticipated by the year’s end. This acquisition follows B&Q’s recent expansion into Ireland, where it acquired three Homebase stores in late 2024, adding over 100,000 square feet of retail space. Excitement at the Helm Graham Bell, CEO of B&Q, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition:“We’re thrilled to be adding these five stores to our network, bringing a total of eight new sites to our footprint in the UK and Ireland. Our goal is to offer home improvers the convenience and choice they deserve, and we’re committed to transforming these stores to meet those needs. It’s a fantastic way to kick off 2025, and we look forward to welcoming our new customers and colleagues to the B&Q family.” A Response to Market Changes The move comes after Homebase faced significant financial difficulties, entering administration in November 2024. This led to 74 of its stores being placed on the market. B&Q’s strategic acquisition highlights its adaptability and determination to seize growth opportunities in a shifting retail landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals