Central Co-op is thrilled to announce that it has taken home the title for Most Sustainable Retailer Initiative of the Year at the Retail Industry Awards 2024. This award, presented at one of retail’s most esteemed events, recognises Central Co-op’s deep-rooted commitment to sustainability. The Most Sustainable Retailer Initiative of
In October, FSi Promat will launch a reformulated PyroPro HPE sealant to support healthier working practices in the construction industry. As part of a company-wide initiative to reduce chemicals that could pose a risk to health, FSi Promat has modified the formula of its PyroPro HPE fire stopping sealant to
Greggs, the UK’s much-loved bakery chain, is on track for an impressive year of growth, with plans to open between 140 and 160 net new stores by the end of 2024. The company, which operated 2,559 locations as of the end of September, has already opened 152 new stores this
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has topped out Lisbon Street in Leeds, a 24-storey Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) project. To mark the occasion, a celebration was held with Winvic’s client
A new report, The Economic Footprint of Home Building, produced in association with United Trust Bank, shows that last year home building in England and Wales generated £53.3bn of economic output and supported 834,000 jobs, underlining the economic potential of delivering the homes the country needs. Hitting the new Government’s
Construction work at East Bank, the UK’s newest cultural quarter at the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, has been awarded the highest ranking for sustainable construction. East Bank partner London College of Fashion, UAL, was awarded a BREEAM Outstanding rating, the highest ranking possible, while the surrounding public realm
AS PART of wider refurbishment works taking place at Oxford Brookes University’s Headington Campus, work has been completed to increase the number of teaching spaces available to staff and students and improve existing buildings, collectively valued at £1M. Completed over the summer in preparation for the new academic year, parts
Leading national builders’ merchant Jewson has launched its very first Transport Hub, to be based at its Craigentinny branch in Edinburgh, having invested significantly to transform the site in line with its ‘Branch of the Future’ vision. All customer deliveries for Edinburgh and the surrounding areas will now be made
Plans to transform Liverpool’s iconic former Littlewoods building into a world-class film and TV campus have been given the green light by the city’s Planning Committee. The ambitious project, led by social impact developers Capital&Centric, will revitalise the 1930s Edge Lane site, creating a vibrant hub for the UK’s creative
First of 200+ containers installed at strategically significant site of former coal-fired power station Global energy storage company Pacific Green has hit a number of key milestones in the delivery of its 249MW / 373.3MWh Sheaf Energy Park in Kent, England. The large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), currently under
Central Co-op is thrilled to announce that it has taken home the title for Most Sustainable Retailer Initiative of the Year at the Retail Industry Awards 2024. This award, presented at one of retail’s most esteemed events, recognises Central Co-op’s deep-rooted commitment to sustainability. The Most Sustainable Retailer Initiative of the Year award recognises exceptional efforts in advancing environmental practices and celebrates Central Co-op’s groundbreaking work on its journey to becoming green-energy self-sufficient. The installation of solar panels across Central Co-op’s 182 retail and funeral locations plays a vital role in the retailer’s purpose: creating a sustainable Society for all. This initiative’s primary objectives are to enhance green energy self-sufficiency, reduce carbon emissions and create long-term cost-saving opportunities that can be reinvested in other sustainability measures and community projects. It is designed to reduce reliance on traditional, fossil fuel-based electricity by generating solar power on-site, addressing the dual challenges of the climate crisis and rising energy costs. In terms of environmental impact, the initiative has been significant. By generating 2,023,397 kWh of solar energy in 2023 alone, Central Co-op achieved 4% of its total energy consumption from renewable sources, reducing carbon emissions by 487,806 tonnes. This reduction is equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting approximately 22,479 trees annually. As well as the award win, Central Co-op was also named as finalists in the Best Use of Technology category, for its electronic shelf edge label rollout; Store Manager of the Year, for Sundeep Stewart’s achievements at Central Co-op’s Kibworth Beauchamp store; as well as the prestigious Convenience Retailer of the Year. The Retail Industry Awards brings together the industry’s greatest to celebrate and reward the organisations, teams and individuals contributing to the advancement of retail. The award was judged by a distinguished panel of retailers, ex-retailers, industry experts, analysts and sector leaders. Their industry knowledge and keen scrutiny of all submissions make this award particularly meaningful, highlighting the real impact of our efforts on sustainability in the retail sector. For more information on Central Co-op’s initiatives, visit centralcoop.co.uk or find out more on socials. Details on becoming a Member can be found on membership.centralengland.coop/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In October, FSi Promat will launch a reformulated PyroPro HPE sealant to support healthier working practices in the construction industry. As part of a company-wide initiative to reduce chemicals that could pose a risk to health, FSi Promat has modified the formula of its PyroPro HPE fire stopping sealant to help protect contractors and installers – critically, whilst maintaining its fire performance so the new formula can be used in the same applications as before. A key product in the FSi Promat range of fire stopping solutions, PyroPro HPE is a high performing sealant that is used to reinstate fire resistance for service penetrations and is approved for use around CPVC pipes (as typically used in sprinkler systems), plastic pipes, cables and non-combustible insulated pipes. In the reformulated sealant, FSi Promat has successfully removed a raw material, which had recently been re-classified as potentially carcinogenic, whilst retaining the same level of fire performance which has been verified in third-party testing; so all of its existing certification remains unchanged. As a high-pressure expansion sealant, PyroPro HPE is an intumescent sealant that can expand up to 20 times and is used to reinstate fire resistant compartments where breaches have been made to allow for service penetrations, such as pipework and cables. Packaged in cartridges made from up to 50 percent recycled plastic, and also in foil packs, the move to reformulate the sealant is in line with FSi Promat’s commitment to make changes where possible that make their products less impactful on the environment and support improved standards in health and safety. FSi Marketing Manager Emma Taylor said: “FSi Promat prides itself on creating fire stopping solutions that are proven to perform, and wherever possible, we also want to make products that are safe for the people using them. “FSi Promat’s PyroPro HPE sealant is an important product in the marketplace as it is approved for use with CPVC, and in particular, sprinkler systems, making it a critical part of a fire protection system. “The sustainability challenge in our industry lies in making changes to established solutions such as this, whilst ensuring they still offer the performance needed to protect people and property. Changes to fire stopping formulations require extensive research and testing to ensure the product continues to perform at the highest standard. “Updating the HPE formula to remove chemicals that could cause a risk to health is a step forward and demonstrates FSi Promat’s commitment to making changes for the better, both in terms of creating a healthy working environment – and a more sustainable future.” FSi Promat is a leading manufacturer of passive fire protection products in the UK. Through a specialist research laboratory and testing facility at its headquarters in Measham, Leicestershire, FSi Promat continually develops high quality, innovative products to protect buildings across the world. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Greggs, the UK’s much-loved bakery chain, is on track for an impressive year of growth, with plans to open between 140 and 160 net new stores by the end of 2024. The company, which operated 2,559 locations as of the end of September, has already opened 152 new stores this year while closing 66, including 43 relocations. The expansion includes the growing popularity of Greggs’ drive-through outlets, with new sites recently launched at Abbeywood Retail Park and Harlequin Business Park in Bristol. In its third-quarter trading update, covering the 13 weeks ending 28 September, Greggs reported a 10.6% increase in total sales, bringing year-to-date growth to an impressive 12.7%. Like-for-like sales in company-managed stores were also strong, rising 5% compared to the same period in 2023. Innovation has been key to Greggs’ continued success. The bakery chain’s product development, including the launch of a popular over-ice drinks range, has contributed significantly to its sales surge. Currently available in 800 locations, the drinks line is expected to reach 1,000 shops by the end of the year. New additions to the Autumn menu, such as the All-Day Breakfast Baguette and Mexican Bean & Spicy Cheese Flatbread, are also expected to drive sales as the colder months approach. Extended trading hours and the expansion of digital sales channels have further bolstered Greggs’ performance. Despite the ongoing economic uncertainty, the company remains confident in its long-term growth prospects and maintains its outlook for the full year. In a bid to balance consumer costs, Greggs has also revised its inflation estimates, now anticipating that cost increases for 2024 will fall towards the lower end of its previous 4-5% projection. This is welcome news for customers, especially those who have voiced concerns over rising prices in recent years, including the iconic sausage roll. With a robust expansion strategy, menu innovation, and continued sales growth, Greggs is firmly on course for a landmark year, cementing its place as a staple of the British high street. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has topped out Lisbon Street in Leeds, a 24-storey Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) project. To mark the occasion, a celebration was held with Winvic’s client CASL Lisbon Street and project fund CA Ventures on the twenty-fourth floor. Located on the corner of Lisbon Street and Castle Street in Leeds city centre, the project comprises 548 single occupancy, en-suite student bedrooms contained within a single tower block. When complete, the student residents will be able to enjoy a 1,593 sq ft first floor roof terrace and a range of shared amenity spaces, including cinema rooms, a fitness centre, a games room, and a TV lounge. As the construction of the concrete framed building has reached the twenty-fourth floor, the aluminium rain screen cladding, which fits in with the wider Lisbon Street development has been installed to the lower floors. Final decorations have been completed also on the lower floors and the Winvic team is currently installing partitions on level 17. Winvic has also been trialling an innovation to reduce the carbon associated with hot works, replacing gas fired boilers for roofing activities with electric boilers. Winvic has been promoting cross-contractor collaboration at the former International Swimming Pool site Lisbon Street, as the PBSA project is one part of a four-plot development also comprising Build-to-Rent apartments and commercial spaces. Winvic took over the Lisbon Street PBSA project in October 2023 and it is due to complete in August 2025. Winvic’s Managing Director for Multi-room, Mark Jones, commented: “The Lisbon Street project in the centre of Leeds has been progressing very well and it was great to celebrate the topping out milestone with our client and the scheme’s funders, CASL Lisbon Street and CA Ventures. With other projects also being constructed adjacent to ours, on the wider Lisbon Street site, there were challenges to consider, but the team’s collaborative skills have ensured that we’re right on programme for completion in summer next year. I’d like to thank the Winvic team for their ongoing hard work and to CASL Lisbon Street for putting their trust in us to complete their 548-bed development.” 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
A new report, The Economic Footprint of Home Building, produced in association with United Trust Bank, shows that last year home building in England and Wales generated £53.3bn of economic output and supported 834,000 jobs, underlining the economic potential of delivering the homes the country needs. Hitting the new Government’s 1.5m homes target could deliver £330bn to UKPLC and an extra 350,000 jobs a year The research carried out by Lichfields for the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and produced in association with United Trust Bank (UTB) found that last year, delivering 240k homes generated; And; The findings also demonstrate the huge boost to growth the new Government can release if it can hit its ambitious housing targets. If Labour were to meet its housing targets of 1.5 million homes built over the course of this Parliament, this could result in: Compared to the 1 million homes built under the last government, this equals an additional: The home building industry has largely welcomed the interventions Labour has made on planning, addressing the major barriers to land coming through the system. It is now urging Government to address the other constraints to delivery, particularly on the demand side and is also calling on the new Government to deliver on its commitment to find a solution to the ‘nutrition neutrality’ issue holding up an estimated 160,000 homes. Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive of the HBF said: “As well as addressing some of the major social issues the country faces, building more homes drives economic activity. The house building industry sustains hundreds of thousands of jobs, generates huge receipts for the exchequer and boosts investment in infrastructure and amenities across the country. “Delivering new developments provides energy-efficient, modern homes, and ploughs investment into new roads, schools and community facilities that benefit both new and existing residents. “If Government can deliver on its ambitious housing targets it will reap significant social and economic benefits. The industry welcomes the swift and decisive actions to address the constraints in the planning system, but more is needed to accelerate growth. The lack of affordable mortgage availability means more support for buyers is needed. Creating demand for new homes provides the confidence the industry needs to invest and deliver both private and affordable homes. “The upcoming budget provides an opportunity for the Government to take more positive steps to address the mounting housing crisis and to commit to their pledge to get Britain building again.” Adam Bovingdon, Head of Property Development at United Trust Bank, said: “This important report illustrates the huge contribution the housing industry makes to the UK economy and to the local areas surrounding new housing developments. UTB is a staunch advocate for regional housebuilders and entrepreneurial developers and the important contribution they make to delivering the UK’s housing needs. Our funding supports the completion of around 5600 new homes at any one time, bringing new jobs, new facilities and new money to areas where investment can make a big difference.” Richard Coburn, Senior Director at Lichfields, said: “We were delighted to be asked by the HBF to update our series of economic impact work which we started in 2015. Our research lands at an extremely important time for the house building industry with the new Government seemingly taking all reasonable policy measures to accelerate much-needed delivery of new homes. “Lichfields again has identified the very significant economic contribution made by house building and how boosting supply to achieve the Government’s confirmed aspiration of 300K homes per annum in England will not only help improve access to housing for people across the country but also deliver a significant economic and infrastructure dividend. “It is important that this contribution is properly recognised in planning and investment decisions across central and local government.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction work at East Bank, the UK’s newest cultural quarter at the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, has been awarded the highest ranking for sustainable construction. East Bank partner London College of Fashion, UAL, was awarded a BREEAM Outstanding rating, the highest ranking possible, while the surrounding public realm and retail premises were awarded the BREEAM Excellent rating for their high levels of energy efficiency, strong public transport connections, and sustainable use of materials. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is one of the world’s leading sustainability assessment methods for buildings, and earning an “Excellent” rating means the development meets high standards in areas such as energy use, water conservation, waste management, and indoor environmental quality. With the Mayor of London’s robust environmental policies and sustainability goals, achieving this certification not only helps reduce the building’s long-term operational costs but also aligns the project with broader urban development goals. For an academic institution, this level of sustainability enhances its reputation as a forward-thinking, environmentally conscious entity, which can attract students, staff, and funding from organizations that prioritize green practices. Rosanna Lawes, Executive Director of Development, London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “Achieving such high levels of BREEAM certification for a project of this scale and complexity requires a truly collaborative effort between designers, clients and constructors. The project team developed a strong evidence base to keep asking ‘How are we doing, and can we do better?’ Mapping the individual BREEAM credits through the design and build stages left the project team clear of what was needed to be done and when. This pragmatic pursuit of high sustainability ambition defines LLDC’s approach to its developments, with learnings from each project being applied to our subsequent developments. “Our thanks in particular to London College of Fashion, UAL, Allies and Morrison, Buro Happold, LDA Design and Mace for enabling us to reach our sustainability goals.” Heather Francis, Chief Operating Officer, University of the Arts London, said: “Achieving BREEAM Outstanding certification for the construction of London College of Fashion’s East Bank campus – following the awarding of Outstanding for its design – is a significant milestone for the University and reflects our unwavering commitment to sustainability. This recognition also underscores the hard work, collaboration and shared vision of our partners and the project team at UAL. The building will not only inspire creativity and innovation but do so while championing environmental responsibility.” Nancy Wood, Sustainability & Physics Director, Buro Happold, said: “London College of Fashion, UAL, is a robust and resilient building that could only have been delivered by a truly integrated team. We worked closely with LLDC, UAL and the design and construction team to set a clear sustainability vision and pioneering targets at the outset of the project in 2015. This shared commitment has enabled us to achieve BREEAM Outstanding certification, as well as targets beyond BREEAM. Key wellbeing features include a welcoming staircase to encourage physical activity, well daylit environments and areas of natural ventilation with orientation-specific shading strategies. To tie into UAL’s Net Zero Carbon target by 2040, operational and embodied carbon has been minimised. Key sustainable design features include high performance glass, high thermal mass, solar panels to generate electricity, a brown roof, connection to the district heat network. The water strategy includes greywater reuse and recycled rainwater.” Andrew Kinsey, Mace Operations Director – Sustainability, said: “Achieving BREEAM Outstanding for the London College of Fashion and BREEAM Excellent for the public realm and retail projects at Stratford Waterfront showcases the exceptional dedication of the Mace team and the contractors to advancing more sustainable construction. Their rigorous attention to detail in gathering evidence and meeting stringent sustainability criteria underscores the team’s success in delivering high-performance, environmentally responsible buildings. “BREEAM certification not only demonstrates LLDC’s commitments to the Mayor of London’s sustainability objectives but also ensures compliance with the UK’s tightening building regulations. The results are a reduced risk of penalties or costly retrofits in the future. For an academic institution, a sustainable, high-performance building can also serve as a showcase for cutting-edge design and green technology, reflecting the institution’s leadership in sustainability and setting a benchmark for future development. The quality of the public realm complements the whole and demonstrates the high standards that can be achieved when all parties work closely together.” News of the BREEAM certification gained at Stratford Waterfront comes shortly after UCL was awarded the same accreditation for its UCL East campus which includes its Marshgate and One Pool Street buildings. East Bank is the UK’s newest cultural quarter at the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. East Bank is made up of UCL East and London College of Fashion, UAL (both opened Autumn 2023), Sadler’s Wells East (opening 2024), V&A East Museum and Storehouse (scheduled to open in 2025) and BBC Music Studios (opening late 2026/early 2027). This collaborative partnership is rooted in the diverse communities of east London and is a reflection of the creative spirit and legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. East Bank represents the biggest cultural investment from the Mayor of London with support from HM Government and the four Growth Boroughs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
AS PART of wider refurbishment works taking place at Oxford Brookes University’s Headington Campus, work has been completed to increase the number of teaching spaces available to staff and students and improve existing buildings, collectively valued at £1M. Completed over the summer in preparation for the new academic year, parts of the John Henry Brookes Building have been redeveloped over ten weeks to create two new large teaching spaces. Stepnell, which heavily specialises in the higher education sector, completed mechanical and electrical works along with necessary demolitions and construction of the new streamlined office space. As part of the project Stepnell also undertook the fire protection work on the Gibbs building over a nine-week period, upgrading the 1970s building to latest safety standards. Procured through the Refit & Refurbishment Framework from national provider Pagabo, the respective project completions build on Stepnell’s long-standing relationship with Oxford Brookes University as the sixth and seventh projects completed with the University. Ian Batchelor, operations manager at Stepnell said: “These refurbishment projects have allowed us to showcase our expertise, not only in the education realm but also within Oxford and South of England. Working alongside our Oxford-based team and their knowledge of the local supply chain, our construction and joinery capabilities have shone in support of the university’s ongoing ambitions for its campus. “We have been able to demonstrate our clear understanding of live site working, which is incredibly common within education projects, working with our project partners collaboratively on elements such as dust suppression and noise control plans, to ensure that teaching quality retains its already high standard. We’re pleased to have been able to call on our expertise to prepare the buildings in sufficient time before the new academic year.” As well as working with the university, the Stepnell team also worked closely with appointed management team MGAC, architects ADP Architecture and licensed approved contractor Maylarch, the latter of whom supported Stepnell with the removal of asbestos from the Gibbs building. Mark Tugwell, deputy director of estates at Oxford Brookes University, commented: “The creation of two large teaching spaces within our John Henry Brookes Building has been an important project for the University. As part of our Oxford Campus Vision, we are in the process of bringing together our Oxford-based activity on the Headington Campus and these high-quality spaces and improvements to the Gibbs building will help to ensure we continue providing an excellent student and staff experience. “Our campus spaces need to respond to the evolving needs of the University’s community and the rapidly changing world of education. We are pleased to have worked with Stepnell on this project as they have helped to make this a reality and understand the importance of ensuring work was completed in time for the new academic year.” Ben Jones, southern region head of delivery at Pagabo, said: “There is a huge amount of potential in every existing building, with refurbishment playing a huge role in their future success – something particularly important within education estates. We’re always pleased to see the positive outcomes of the projects procured through our frameworks – in this case, students benefitting from improved and increased teaching space, and the university generating positive social value and making best use of its estate.” Offered as standard throughout all of Stepnell’s projects in both the private and public sector, increased focus on social value impact was considered throughout the project. As part of this, Stepnell offered project placement work for students in relevant study courses at the university. To find out more about Stepnell’s education expertise, visit www.stepnell.co.uk, or join in the conversation at @Stepnellltd Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading national builders’ merchant Jewson has launched its very first Transport Hub, to be based at its Craigentinny branch in Edinburgh, having invested significantly to transform the site in line with its ‘Branch of the Future’ vision. All customer deliveries for Edinburgh and the surrounding areas will now be made from the Hub, allowing Jewson to deliver products more efficiently across longer hours, with the first deliveries leaving the site at 6am every day. Customers can continue to place orders online, over the phone or in store from any of Jewson’s five other local branches in Edinburgh. Any orders for delivery will be centralised from Craigentinny to create time savings and reduce the number of trips being made across the city during busy periods. The Craigentinny site has been clearly divided into the customer facing branch – complete with a one-way system to safely access drive-through loading bays – and the transport hub, for easy navigation for customers and Jewson drivers alike. As well as upgrading its facilities and recruiting five new employees for the Transport Hub, Jewson has invested in 11 new trucks to be based at the hub, as part of a nationwide fleet upgrade. All of the new vehicles will be branded in Jewson’s updated branding, first launched earlier this year to symbolise the improvements the company has been making to its value proposition for customers, as part of parent company STARK Building Materials UK’s ‘Trust in Better’ strategy. Lynsey Llewellyn, Transport Manager for the Transport Hub, says: “I am incredibly proud to launch Jewson’s very first Transport Hub to customers, our new employees, and the local construction community. It is a major milestone on our mission to be the UK’s most trusted builders’ merchant. “We have invested significantly into the hub, to create a market-leading facility with brand new vehicles, increased stock levels, longer delivery hours and more capacity, so that we can deliver the best possible service to our customers. And the investment doesn’t stop there. We have also committed to providing the team with the very best training and support, enabling them to work to the best of their ability and service the needs of tradespeople and small to medium builders working on projects across Edinburgh. “This is a project that has been months in the making and we have already received fantastic feedback from tradespeople and colleagues, which makes us excited for the next phase of this journey.” Jewson is proud to partner the trades, building on its 180+ years of industry experience, offering the UK’s professional tradespeople the products and services they need to work smarter and grow their business faster, powered by a robust sourcing network and distribution platform. Jewson plays a significant part of STARK UK, a portfolio of building merchant businesses, which are part of STARK Group, Europe’s leading builders’ merchant and distribution platform. Earlier this year, STARK Group celebrated its first 12 months of operating in the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans to transform Liverpool’s iconic former Littlewoods building into a world-class film and TV campus have been given the green light by the city’s Planning Committee. The ambitious project, led by social impact developers Capital&Centric, will revitalise the 1930s Edge Lane site, creating a vibrant hub for the UK’s creative industries. The approved plans include restoring and repurposing the much-loved Littlewoods building, with the development featuring two state-of-the-art 20,000 sq.ft studios designed for big-budget film and TV productions. Alongside these, the site will house offices, workshops, support facilities, and an educational centre aimed at nurturing the next generation of creative talent. This marks a significant milestone for the £17 million project, which is backed by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. With enabling works already completed, the approval now paves the way for full restoration work to begin, subject to the final funding agreements. One of the standout features of the project will be the transformation of the building’s former canteen, housed in a barrel-vaulted hangar, into a multi-purpose cultural space. This will include five boutique cinema screens, an outdoor performance area, and a permanent food hall. The space will serve as a resource for on-site tenants but will also open to the public after hours, becoming a new cultural destination for Liverpool residents and visitors alike. John Moffat, Joint Managing Director of Capital&Centric, hailed the approval as a landmark moment for the project and the city. He said: “This is a huge moment for Littlewoods and for Liverpool. The green light allows us to move forward with creating the ‘Hollywood of the North’. Liverpool already enjoys a global reputation as a filming hotspot, and this project will build on that, providing much-needed studio space and creating jobs for future generations. For local people, including myself, seeing this iconic building come back to life is truly special.” Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, echoed the excitement, saying: “The Littlewoods Project is a game-changer for the region. It preserves a key part of our heritage while driving economic growth and creating thousands of jobs in the creative sector. It cements our growing reputation as a hub for high-end productions and places us firmly on the international stage.” Liverpool City Councillor Nick Small added: “The Littlewoods Project is set to transform Liverpool’s TV and film industry. With the approval now secured, we’re ready to work closely with Capital&Centric to ensure this scheme delivers on its full potential and takes a leading role in the city’s creative future.” The construction of the new sound stages is expected to take around a year to complete, while the renovation of the main building will take longer due to the complexity of restoring the historic structure. When fully operational, the Littlewoods campus is anticipated to create around 4,000 full-time jobs within the region’s creative industries, further solidifying Liverpool’s status as a key player in the UK’s film and TV production landscape. The project’s design is being overseen by renowned architects shedkm, with planners Avison Young also involved. Capital&Centric has a proven track record of restoring historic buildings across the UK, including high-profile projects such as Crusader in Manchester, Weir Mill in Stockport, and Eyewitness Works in Sheffield. As Liverpool gears up to welcome this new creative hub, the Littlewoods Project promises to be a landmark development for both the city and the wider UK film and TV industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
First of 200+ containers installed at strategically significant site of former coal-fired power station Global energy storage company Pacific Green has hit a number of key milestones in the delivery of its 249MW / 373.3MWh Sheaf Energy Park in Kent, England. The large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), currently under construction on behalf of asset owner Sosteneo, is located on brownfield land at the site of the former Richborough coal-fired power station. In conjunction with Pacific Green and Sosteneo’s now operational 100MW / 100MWh Richborough Energy Park, Sheaf will form part of a strategically significant UK clean energy storage and transmission hub which hosts vital connections for the Nemo Link interconnector with Belgium and Thanet Offshore Wind Farm. Site preparation and groundworks were recently completed on schedule. This work has paved the way for the successful arrival of the first of 200+ equipment containers. Following completion of Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Sheaf has now taken delivery of 68 containers and installed the first of 34 housing the project’s Power Conversion Systems (PCS) – a crucial component for dynamic coupling of the BESS with the grid. These PCS containers will be followed by 135 liquid cooled, LFP chemistry battery containers, to be shipped from supplier and installed in a just-in-time approach prior to energization with the electrical grid. Activity at the site is being conducted in line with robust safety and risk management protocols. Community engagement and biodiversity are also being prioritized, with key milestones including the appointment of a stakeholder engagement representative and biodiversity actions including removal of contaminated landfill left by the power station, rewilding of 10,000m2 of land, and ultimately achieving biodiversity net gain of no less than 14.91%. Christo Hammes, Pacific Green’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Located at a former industrial site and with an excellent grid connection, Sheaf Energy Park will be a strategic asset for the UK’s energy grid – and in many ways is a true symbol of the energy transition. Coupled with Richborough Energy Park, this project embodies Pacific Green’s commitment to UK energy storage and is laying the foundation for future growth.” “We are pleased with progress to date, having hit a number of our key development milestones, and we are committed to maintaining dialogue with our stakeholders and the community as we bring the project through to commissioning next year.” Pacific Green was retained to oversee the construction, operations and maintenance of Sheaf Energy Park following its sale to Sosteneo Fund 1 Holdco S.à.r.l. in December 2023. SSE Energy Supply Limited (SSE) will be responsible for providing optimization services for a 10-year period from the start of commercial operations. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals