Wates Construction has been awarded a £110.6 million contract (excluding VAT) to lead the major restoration of Victoria Tower – the historic structure at the House of Lords end of the Palace of Westminster. The imposing 98.5-metre-high tower, which dates back to 1860, has shown significant signs of decay in
Greater Manchester is set to deliver the UK’s first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system by 2030 thanks to a £2.5 billion government funding boost. Government ministers are in Rochdale this morning [Wednesday 4 June] to announce details of the Transport for the City Regions funding, with Greater Manchester awarded
Construction company Hobson & Porter has won a major decarbonisation and stock condition works contract with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which will see the firm install the latest sustainable technology and refurbish hundreds of homes and buildings each year. The work will be worth approximately £15million over a four-year
Fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor, Willmott Dixon Interiors, has completed the back-to-frame redevelopment of 19 Cornwall Street in Birmingham city centre, on behalf of their client, Kier Property. The CAT A refurbishment has delivered 139,000 sq ft of flexible, SMART-enabled office space to net zero carbon standards across seven floors
Winvic Construction Ltd has been appointed by IM Properties (IMP) to commence construction work at a major new employment park, Towcester Park. Expected to create 1,500 jobs when fully occupied, Towcester Park will provide skills and training opportunities for local people and fund projects through a dedicated £100,000 community fund.
Manchester City Council is set to enter into a landmark partnership with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) to deliver hundreds of genuinely affordable homes as part of plans to build 1,600 more homes in the coming years. GMPF has been selected, through a competitive process, as the investment partner
Two High Value Manufacturing industrial units have been built on formerly contaminated land which had been described as one of the most polluted inner-city sites in the UK. The units were completed ‘on time and on budget’ after a funding boost from the Scottish Government. Named Innovation Shawfield, the South
Manchester City Council has appointed CBRE to market a 2.75 acre development site on the edge of Manchester City Centre. CBRE’s UK Development and Residential team is seeking proposals for the delivery of a highly sustainable development that complements and enhances the local area. The opportunity is within the urban
In response to growing demand for high-performance infrastructure, Sunbelt Rentals UK and Ireland has made a significant investment to expand its offering and meet the evolving needs of the industry. As part of its Sunbelt 4.0 strategy, designed to improve customer experience and sustainability, the company has expanded its fleet
Superdrug has continued its UK expansion in 2025 with the opening of several large-format stores, including a flagship unit at Guildford’s Ladymead Retail Park. The 8,000 sq ft site is part of a broader investment strategy aimed at strengthening the retailer’s national footprint while evolving the customer experience. As part
Wates Construction has been awarded a £110.6 million contract (excluding VAT) to lead the major restoration of Victoria Tower – the historic structure at the House of Lords end of the Palace of Westminster. The imposing 98.5-metre-high tower, which dates back to 1860, has shown significant signs of decay in recent years. With several incidents of falling masonry since 2018, urgent safety measures – including the installation of a protective deck – have already been put in place. However, these temporary fixes are no longer sufficient, prompting the need for extensive and long-term repairs. The project, commissioned by parliamentary authorities, will see Wates undertake vital conservation and repair works to safeguard the tower’s future. This includes the restoration of exterior stonework to reduce the risk of further stone fall, refurbishment of the roof, window glazing, and the historic flagpole. The last significant works on Victoria Tower were completed more than three decades ago, in the early 1990s. Following a competitive tendering process, Wates was selected to deliver the programme, which forms part of a wider £253 million investment to secure the structural integrity and safety of the tower. Work is expected to begin later this year and will continue until 2031. Steve Holbrook, Managing Director at Wates, said: “Wates and Parliament share a commitment to preserving traditional building techniques while embracing innovative construction and logistic methodologies to protect and enhance this historic landmark. The extensive repair and restoration work we will be carrying out on the Victoria Tower will ensure it can continue its important role on the parliamentary estate for decades to come.” The project follows the recent completion of works to the Elizabeth Tower – home to the iconic Big Ben – by Sir Robert McAlpine at the opposite end of the Palace. Despite the scale of the work, access to the Sovereign’s Entrance – used by the monarch during the State Opening of Parliament since 1852 – will be maintained throughout the restoration period, allowing ceremonial events to continue uninterrupted. As one of the most recognisable features of the Westminster skyline, Victoria Tower plays a key role in the identity of the UK Parliament. Its restoration signals a renewed focus on preserving the heritage of the Palace while ensuring public safety and operational continuity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Greater Manchester is set to deliver the UK’s first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system by 2030 thanks to a £2.5 billion government funding boost. Government ministers are in Rochdale this morning [Wednesday 4 June] to announce details of the Transport for the City Regions funding, with Greater Manchester awarded £2.5 billion. Mayor Andy Burnham said that further progress on the next phase of the Bee Network will now be delivered at an unrelenting pace. Greater Manchester will: Create an all-electric local public transport network: A thousand new EV buses will form a 100% electric fleet serving its communities. Alongside trams powered by renewable energy and e-bikes for hire, it will deliver an emission-free network. This will build on progress already made to cut CO2 emissions and improve air quality. Bring rail into the Bee Network: Local rail lines will be integrated with the Bee Network, with Greater Manchester communities the first outside London to be served by fully joined-up bike, bus, tram and train travel by the end of the decade. The move will see major improvements to stations, including making more fully accessible, as well as capped fares. Deliver major projects to drive green growth: A pipeline of transport projects – including a tram line to Stockport and tram-train services connecting Oldham, Rochdale, Heywood and Bury, new Metrolink stops and modern new interchanges – will support the delivery of thousands of new homes, skilled jobs and green growth. Transport investment will be fundamental to sustaining the city-region’s rate of economic growth, which has outstripped the UK’s average in the past decade. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “This is a game-changing moment that will underpin Greater Manchester’s green growth for years to come. Building on our strong track record, we can now move at pace to deliver the next phase of the Bee Network – creating the UK’s first fully electric, zero emission integrated public transport system by 2030. “With a pipeline of major transport projects better connecting our towns and cities, and local rail lines brought into the Bee Network, our communities will be the first outside London to be served by fully joined-up bike, bus, tram and train travel. “Greater Manchester has had a decade of growth faster than the UK average. This funding – together with our devolved decision-making powers – can be the key to unlocking even more growth in the decade to come. “It’s a major boost for our own plans to deliver £10bn of investment over the next 10 years, build thousands of new homes, create skilled jobs, and open up new opportunities right across our city-region.” The new funding will continue to deliver far-reaching benefits across all of Greater Manchester’s towns and cities, underpinning the city-region’s economic growth and delivering tangible benefits for its communities. Key projects will include: The £2.5 billion is part of a package of investment Greater Manchester is seeking to deliver its growth ambitions in full – with the city-region seeking to work collaboratively with Government on exploring new funding models for major transport and other infrastructure projects. As part of next week’s Spending Review, it is also hoped the Government will back transformational schemes that stretch beyond the city-region’s boundaries, including the new proposed Liverpool-Manchester Railway. Continued revenue funding from government will also be crucial to support essential bus routes that provide a lifeline to Greater Manchester’s communities and grow the Bee Network, connecting more places by bus and further boosting passenger numbers. Greater Manchester is already making significant progress in creating a cheaper, cleaner, greener and safer public transport network. Just this week Transport for Greater Manchester completed work on the city-region’s first all electric bus depot in Ashton. Now home to more than 80 zero-emission buses, it means 14 more bus routes across the city region are now serviced by cleaner electric vehicles. It’s just one of the ways the Bee Network is transforming how people get around, with lower, capped fares across bus and tram and improvements made to more than 75 services helping to reverse decades-long decline in buses with rapidly growing numbers of passengers served by a more reliable, affordable and integrated public transport network. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction company Hobson & Porter has won a major decarbonisation and stock condition works contract with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which will see the firm install the latest sustainable technology and refurbish hundreds of homes and buildings each year. The work will be worth approximately £15million over a four-year period and will see Hobson & Porter refurbishing around 200 council owned homes each year, and significantly improving their energy performance certificate (EPC) ratings to either B or C. The company will also work on homes that the council is currently buying to supplement its existing housing stock. Hobson & Porter has already been tasked with installing 1.5kWp‘in-roof’ solar panels on more than 20 residential streets as well as making efficiency upgrades to the loft spaces. Structural repairs will also be carried out alongside the full refurbishment of a mix of council owned buildings including offices, industrial units and storage depots. This will include replacing reinforced concrete floor slabs for insulated ones, rewiring, installing new heating systems, underpinning, drainage repairs and internal structural work. In addition, Hobson & Porter will be improving communal areas in assisted living schemes and apartment buildings, as well as refurbishing and demolishing a series of garage blocks. Sam Robertson, from Hobson & Porter, said: “East Riding of Yorkshire Council is a longstanding client so we’re very pleased to win this new contract. Having worked on East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s previous frameworks for the last seven years, I am happy we have been recognised as a key partner in delivering this latest scheme, which is testament to our team’s hard work and high standards of workmanship. “It’s particularly rewarding because it involves a wide variety of work, from refurbishing all types of homes, which will make a genuine difference to local people, through to installing the latest sustainable technology. All this will significantly improve the council’s property portfolio across a large swathe of East Yorkshire, as well as future-proofing buildings and homes for future generations of residents, staff and visitors.” Councillor Gary McMaster, East Riding of Yorkshire Council cabinet member for planning, housing and infrastructure, said: “This contract has been designed to ensure that as many of the homes and buildings that we own and run as possible can benefit from modern and sustainable technology. This will ensure that they are fit for purpose for many years to come and guarantees the most efficient and cost-effective use of resources.” Hobson & Porter has a longstanding relationship with East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The company recently started rebuilding two sheltered housing developments in Anlaby and Driffield, which will both offer a mix of one-and-two-bedroom flats with generous open-plan layouts. The homes will be adaptable to meet residents’ needs as they age, thereby helping them to live independently for longer. Hobson & Porter is also working on the energy efficiency-led refurbishment of two supported living developments in Hornsea. Once complete, Meregarth will offer 14, one bedroom apartments and Pybus Court, will provide 13, one and two bedroom apartments that all meet East Riding’s need for suitable supported housing. At the end of last year, Hobson & Porter completed work on a £3.3 million renovation programme at Champney Treasure House in Beverley, which included significant improvements to the much-loved museum, archives, café area, tower viewing point, gardens and art gallery. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor, Willmott Dixon Interiors, has completed the back-to-frame redevelopment of 19 Cornwall Street in Birmingham city centre, on behalf of their client, Kier Property. The CAT A refurbishment has delivered 139,000 sq ft of flexible, SMART-enabled office space to net zero carbon standards across seven floors – making it one of the city’s most environmentally sustainable office buildings. The project features a striking new glass entrance with revolving doors, leading to a double height reception/welcome space. There are two ground floor units with dedicated entrances off Cornwall Street, new interactive breakout areas, and a planted communal roof terrace located on the fifth floor. A central atrium, which extends through the building, has been reduced in size to increase office floorplates and is constructed using sustainable materials from top to bottom. New tenant amenities are located at the ground floor and are designed to promote both employee wellbeing and sustainable travel. They include a multi-functional studio space, showers and changing rooms, cycle storage and 24 electric vehicle charging stations. Willmott Dixon Interiors carried out a full replacement of all MEP services as part of an all-electric strategy to enhance the building’s energy efficiency, which included the installation of 400 sq m of PV panels. Occupiers will also benefit from VRF comfort cooling and heating, and individual floor digital controls. 19 Cornwall Street is BREEAM Excellent, EPC A rated, WiredScore enabled, and is officially registered to achieve a NABERS Target Rating of 5 stars, reflecting the highest standards of environmental office design. The building is also targeting WELL Gold certification. Social value has been an integral part of the refurbishment, with around £9.5 million of spend directed to local suppliers. Willmott Dixon Interiors provided jobs for 12 local people and created multiple training, mentoring and apprenticeship opportunities. This included the delivery of mock interviews and careers advice in partnership with local schools and colleges, promoting construction as a sector of choice. The site team also raised hundreds of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support through community fundraising. Adam Worrall, deputy managing director at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “We are passionate about creating sustainable, future-proofed workspaces, and 19 Cornwall Street is a great example of that. Kier Property shares our vision for energy efficient office design, and together we’ve transformed an existing building into a modern, high-quality space that meets the highest environmental sustainability standards.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd has been appointed by IM Properties (IMP) to commence construction work at a major new employment park, Towcester Park. Expected to create 1,500 jobs when fully occupied, Towcester Park will provide skills and training opportunities for local people and fund projects through a dedicated £100,000 community fund. Northampton-based Winvic, is a leading main contractor specialising in the design and construction of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects. Commenting on starting the initial phase of the 1.1 million sq ft development, Danny Nelson, Managing Director – Industrial, Distribution & Logistics at Winvic, said: “We’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with IM Properties and work together to deliver the first stages of this high-quality employment space with industry-leading sustainability credentials.” A mix of high quality, sustainable employment space on a Design & Build basis which will target EPC A and BREEAM Excellent ratings, will be available at Towcester Park across a range of sectors. The site will also include 15 acres of green space, amenity land and retained and enhanced landscaping. For businesses looking to scale up, IMP is offering its ‘Kick Start’ scheme, with reserved matters submitted for a range of units to accommodate space requirements from 13,500 to 22,000 sq ft. To retain larger operators in the region or attract businesses looking to relocate, Towcester Park already has reserved matters for warehouse space of up to 470,000 sq ft. Buildings will feature HQ style office space, roof terraces on outboard offices, contemporary reception areas and high quality, modern working environments. Electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities will help promote green travel and the scheme overall will aim for Net Zero Ready status, to help occupiers transition to Net Zero in their own operations. Richard Sykes, Development Director at IM Properties, said: “Winvic is a trusted and valued member of our supply chain who understands our ambitions to deliver legacy projects and work in partnership with the community. They have successfully delivered several of our previous schemes and will work closely with our team to help shape the first stages of this strategically important development.” Working closely with local educational institutions and training providers, IMP aims to introduce apprenticeship schemes, vocational training programmes and career pathways within the logistics and industrial sectors. 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 (Formally Twitter) @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Manchester City Council is set to enter into a landmark partnership with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) to deliver hundreds of genuinely affordable homes as part of plans to build 1,600 more homes in the coming years. GMPF has been selected, through a competitive process, as the investment partner for the next phase of development by This City, the Council’s housing company. The Council’s Executive is being asked to endorse the creation of a new joint venture with GMPF to deliver the second phase of This City development when it meets on 4 June. This City’s first flagship project, No.1 Ancoats Green, is nearing completion – with 129 low carbon homes created next to the brilliant new green space and park at Ancoats Green. 30% of these will be available at the Manchester Living Rent, capped at the rent level which can be covered by housing benefit to make sure they are affordable to as many people as possible. The initial pipeline for phase two consists of 1,583 homes on Council-owned brownfield sites across the city. At least 20% of these new homes will be affordable homes to rent. This City also has a strong emphasis on sustainability through low carbon homes, and on community. Postal Street in the Northen Quarter, Piccadilly is the most advanced of the phase two sites with a planning application expected to be submitted in the coming weeks for 126 new homes – 20% of them affordable and to be let at the Manchester Living Rent. Engagement with local communities in Monsall and Longsight started earlier this year, beginning a conversation with local people about proposals for sites in their areas. While formal consultation will be undertaken later this year with local people in the Grey Mare Lane estate in east Manchester around proposals for new housing as part of the major estate regeneration that will deliver 100s of new affordable homes in this part of Beswick Future This City sites include: Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: “This City is about accelerating home building on Council-owned land so that we can build the homes that Manchester needs on our own terms. These homes will contribute to our housing strategy target to deliver at least 36,000 new homes up to 2032 – and at least 10,000 of these homes will be social, Council or genuinely affordable. “These are ambitious numbers and we are on track to meet them. For example, last year we built more council and social homes than any year for more than a decade, but we want to go even further. We plan to build new council and social housing in every part of the city and being creative, using our land and building the homes ourselves, we will do just that. And having the Greater Manchester Pension Fund on board gives us the financial boost to go further and build much needed low cost, low carbon homes for Manchester residents.” Cllr Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development, said: “Having Greater Manchester Pension Fund on board with This City as an institutional investor will help us deliver at scale the new housing, including significant amounts of affordable housing, which Manchester needs. “We’re seeing a step change and acceleration in the delivery of affordable housing, with more being built now than at any point in the last 12 years and with even more in the pipeline.” Cllr Eleanor Wills, Chair of GMPF, said:“We are acutely aware of the severe housing crisis both nationally and in the North-West region. This is why we are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Manchester City Council investing in the “This City” vehicle that supports the Government’s plan to provide much-needed affordable homes for hardworking families while ensuring strong, low-risk returns to secure the pensions of our members. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Two High Value Manufacturing industrial units have been built on formerly contaminated land which had been described as one of the most polluted inner-city sites in the UK. The units were completed ‘on time and on budget’ after a funding boost from the Scottish Government. Named Innovation Shawfield, the South Lanarkshire development was visited by the Scottish Government Investment Minister, Tom Arthur on 27th May, to inspect the newly finished commercial spaces that form the first phase of a new £500 million regeneration programme called ‘Clyde Gateway Innovation’. Innovation Shawfield has been jointly funded by the UK Government, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Clyde Gateway, with additional funding for further infrastructure works also being provided by South Lanarkshire Council. The works are spearheaded by Clyde Gateway, Scotland’s largest regeneration project, which in addition to the construction of the two new units, also includes further site acquisition and remediation works as well as the treatment of contaminants from the old chemical works near the Polmadie Burn. The site has been remediated over a number of years, transforming derelict land that had otherwise lain empty for decades, into an area of investment, growth, opportunity and job creation. Built on the former J&J Whites Chemical plant, also known as Shawfield Chemical Works, which operated from 1820 to 1967 and at one point produced up to 70% of the UK’s chromate products. This activity generated significant volumes of hazardous chromium waste, which continues to be remediated by Clyde Gateway. Remediation works initially commenced in Shawfield in 2013, which led to the construction of ‘Red Tree Magenta’, a 40,000sq. ft managed office building, which opened in December 2018 and now supports 21 companies and over 180 jobs. This latest £8.75m project is part of a £25m investment programme currently underway on site, which includes a £14.6m contribution in November 2023 from the UK Government (formerly Levelling Up Funding Round 3), £1.2m from Scottish Enterprise and £7.5m from The Scottish Government, with Clyde Gateway and South Lanarkshire Council contributing the remainder. The two industrial units, totalling 2,700m2 (29,000sq. ft), received planning permission in March 2024 and have been constructed by Heron Bros. Designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ status in addition to exemplary ESG credentials, they are designed for High Value Manufacturing (HVM) use. Investment Minister in the Scottish Government, Tom Arthur, said: “Our significant investment in this project has helped to remove toxic chemicals from the former Shawfield Chemical Works site and transform it into a thriving hub for businesses. “The completion of these works is welcome news for Glasgow and Rutherglen, creating up to 90 permanent jobs and ultimately reducing pollution in the River Clyde. “To benefit people throughout Scotland, we are providing £62.15 million for regeneration projects in 2025/26. This will revitalise green spaces, town centres and derelict sites across the country.” Martin McKay, Chief Executive of Clyde Gateway said: “Remediating this land not only removes an eyesore from the local community, it will also bring jobs and economic activity well into the future. Clyde Gateway has remediated the equivalent of over 400 football pitches since our inception and this work has transformed the areas of Rutherglen, Dalmarnock and Bridgeton, with new housing, green spaces and businesses now filling what was dead space. “With the help of funding from our partners, including the Scottish and UK Governments, we have been able to create these new spaces on time and on budget. This development forms part of our £500m vision for Clyde Gateway that will establish the area as a hub for innovation, green jobs and advanced manufacturing, bringing new homes, hotels and employment opportunities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Manchester City Council has appointed CBRE to market a 2.75 acre development site on the edge of Manchester City Centre. CBRE’s UK Development and Residential team is seeking proposals for the delivery of a highly sustainable development that complements and enhances the local area. The opportunity is within the urban area of Hulme, which has seen substantial inward investment since the 1980s. Sitting adjacent to the A5103 Princess Road, the site has direct access to Manchester City Centre and M60 motorway. It also benefits from public transport connectivity, with Cornbrook Metrolink stop, Manchester Oxford Road and Deansgate railway stations all approximately 1 mile from the site with several bus stops in the immediate vicinity. The surrounding area comprises a mix of uses including mid- and low- rise residential properties, education facilities, offices and retail amenity. Furthermore, there are 15 primary and secondary schools within a 1-mile radius, including the renowned Loreto College. Kieran McLaughlin, Senior Director in CBRE’s UK Development & Residential team, said: “CBRE is delighted to be acting on behalf of Manchester City Council to bring forward this exciting development opportunity at the edge of Manchester City Centre. We are anticipating strong market interest from developers looking to capitalise on the ongoing regeneration of Hulme, an area home to many of the city’s families and young professionals. This opportunity is available on a long-leasehold basis and subject to planning offers are invited for 13:00 Wednesday 30th July.” Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “This is a great opportunity to bring forward a quality residential-led regeneration programme – including a range of social and genuinely affordable housing – in a popular part of Manchester, close to the city centre. The development of the site should have community at its heart, so alongside residential accommodation we want to see great public space and commercial opportunities as well. We look forward to seeing ambitious proposals to bring the potential of this site to reality, creating a highly sustainable development of renown that will complement and enhance the Hulme neighbourhood.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In response to growing demand for high-performance infrastructure, Sunbelt Rentals UK and Ireland has made a significant investment to expand its offering and meet the evolving needs of the industry. As part of its Sunbelt 4.0 strategy, designed to improve customer experience and sustainability, the company has expanded its fleet with 20,000 recyclable aluminium panels, along with 28 Trakway installation vehicles. This expansion of their fleet supports the company with the increasing demand for safe, scalable and environmentally responsible infrastructure across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe. An important aspect of the investment is their focus on the sustainability aspects of the equipment to allow customers to easily make the switch to greener solutions. The recyclable aluminium panels are aligned to the company’s sustainability strategy, Our Planet, designed to reduce waste and increase circular economy practices. Once used, these panels will be melted down, repurposed and returned into the industry. Ann Marie Brindle, Commercial Director – Trakway at Sunbelt Rentals said “This investment reflects our commitment to providing our customers with a world class rental experience. The addition of the Lion panels and expanded fleet of electric solutions means we can consistently deliver on time and align with our customers’ focus on sustainable solutions.” Lee Robinson, Managing Director of Trakway at Sunbelt Rentals, expanded on how this will benefit their customers: “This investment goes beyond the equipment – it’s about setting a standard for excellent customer experience and social sustainability.” In addition to its investment in equipment, Sunbelt Rentals is equally focused on investing in its people. Recognising the importance of expertise and safety, the company is committed to prioritising the development of its teams through targeted training programmes. Every teammate involved in site operations is required to complete mandatory certifications, including CSCS, ALMI, BESC, and lift supervision. These qualifications ensure that every team member meets the highest standards of safety and technical proficiency, guaranteeing that customers receive a consistently high level of service backed by knowledgeable and skilled teams. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Superdrug has continued its UK expansion in 2025 with the opening of several large-format stores, including a flagship unit at Guildford’s Ladymead Retail Park. The 8,000 sq ft site is part of a broader investment strategy aimed at strengthening the retailer’s national footprint while evolving the customer experience. As part of parent company A.S. Watson Group’s growth vision, Superdrug is on track to open 25 new stores across the UK this year, a continuation of its store investment programme launched in 2023. The focus remains on locations with high footfall potential and strong transport connectivity, including prominent retail parks, shopping centres, and revitalised high streets. The new Guildford store combines retail space with experiential offerings, including an in-store studio offering treatments such as nails, lashes, and piercings. This aligns with Superdrug’s strategy of integrating health and beauty services into physical stores to create more engaging, service-led shopping environments. The move reflects a growing trend among health and beauty retailers to prioritise flexibility in layout and experience-driven formats—elements that appeal particularly to Gen Z and millennial consumers. Superdrug’s property team continues to work with national consultants such as GCW and legal advisors Womble Bond Dickinson to secure units that offer long-term growth potential and local community benefit. Clare Jennings, Property Director at Superdrug, noted earlier this year that the focus remains on opening stores in locations that “deliver value and convenience, while supporting employment and creating destination experiences for our customers.” Beyond new store openings, Superdrug has committed to refurbishing a number of existing sites in 2025, ensuring consistency in brand presentation and adapting to evolving consumer expectations. Sustainability also features strongly in the programme, with new stores increasingly designed to incorporate energy-efficient lighting, eco-friendly refrigeration, and responsible fit-out materials. With further announcements expected over the summer, Superdrug’s property strategy shows how established high street retailers are adapting with confidence—leveraging physical space as both a commercial and community asset in a changing retail landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
