Superdrug has opened its largest store in the South West at Cribbs Mall, Bristol, unveiling an 8,901 sq ft space that strengthens the centre’s health and beauty offer and underlines the retailer’s continued investment in bricks and mortar. The unit has a direct entrance from the mall and showcases Superdrug’s
Bouygues UK is proud to announce its recent selection as the main contractor for the redevelopment of the Rosedale College site, awarded by the Department for Education (DfE) as part of the School Rebuilding Programme. Located in the London Borough of Hillingdon, this significant project will enhance Rosedale College, futureproofing
City of Edinburgh Council has approved a £69m programme to refurbish Cables Wynd House and Linksview House in Leith, paving the way for a deep retrofit of two Category A listed post-war blocks that together provide 310 homes, the majority for social rent. Designed by Collective Architecture with Edinburgh Council
Global real estate advisor CBRE has been appointed to spearhead the operator selection process and development funding strategy to deliver Sunderland’s Crown Works Film Studios. The agent, renowned for its global expertise in large-scale commercial and regeneration projects, will act on behalf of Sunderland City Council to start immediate engagement
More than half (59%) of UK heating engineers are either already or likely to work with other companies to develop heat pump competencies, according to heating and hot water solutions provider Baxi’s fourth annual Installer Skills Survey. Despite this interest in being prepared, a lack of consumer demand remains the
Former ice rink site has been cleared and will become a major residential led scheme of nearly 1000 homes, complete with associated amenities. Strettons and Vandermolen Real Estate are pleased to announce the sale of Rom Valley Gardens, a significant seven-acre site in Romford, Essex, for an undisclosed price. Previously
Bouygues UK proudly announces a pivotal milestone in the transformation of Stanmore College, with the construction project successfully reaching topping out – the highest point of the new building structure. This significant achievement marks a crucial step forward in delivering the £60 million state-of-the-art further education facility, funded by the
Wingstop will open its third Glasgow restaurant at Silverburn this December, taking a 3,606 sq ft unit as the centre continues to expand its food and leisure offer. The deal forms part of a sustained repositioning of the south-west Glasgow destination. Over the past three years Silverburn has more than
Today, Glenigan | Powered by Hubexo, one of the construction industry’s leading insight experts, releases the October 2025 edition of its Construction Index. The Index reviews the three months to the end of September 2025, focusing on underlying projects with a total value of £100 million or less (unless otherwise stated).
Morgan Sindall has lifted its profit guidance again on the back of a standout performance from its Overbury fit-out arm, signalling a stronger-than-expected 2025. Since its summer half-year update, the group now anticipates full-year results will be significantly ahead of previous expectations. Overbury has led the charge, outperforming on trading
Superdrug has opened its largest store in the South West at Cribbs Mall, Bristol, unveiling an 8,901 sq ft space that strengthens the centre’s health and beauty offer and underlines the retailer’s continued investment in bricks and mortar. The unit has a direct entrance from the mall and showcases Superdrug’s latest experience-led format. A key feature is the Beauty Playground, now one of around 30 locations nationwide to host the concept, where shoppers can test products, discover new brands and get guidance from trained brand ambassadors. The fit-out also includes a full Beauty Studio providing brow, nail and piercing services, supported by an in-store clinic offering seasonal treatments such as flu jabs. Clare Jennings, property director at Superdrug, said the Cribbs Mall flagship demonstrates the brand’s focus on larger, service-rich spaces that broaden customer choice and deliver a modern, energy-efficient store environment for the region. For Cribbs Mall, the opening represents a significant upsize by one of its strongest performers, enabling a broader range and deeper services under one roof. From a property perspective, the larger footprint supports clearer category zoning, back-of-house efficiency and higher service capacity at peak, aligning with the centre’s wider programme to enhance shopper experience and extend dwell time. Sovereign Centros by CBRE, asset manager for Cribbs Mall, said the new unit cements the destination’s position as the regional home of health and beauty, with Superdrug’s expansion illustrating how leading brands are investing to elevate their physical estates. The launch adds further momentum to the centre’s tenant investment cycle and gives Superdrug a prominent South West showcase for its latest store design, combining retail, services and consultation in a single, highly visible location. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bouygues UK is proud to announce its recent selection as the main contractor for the redevelopment of the Rosedale College site, awarded by the Department for Education (DfE) as part of the School Rebuilding Programme. Located in the London Borough of Hillingdon, this significant project will enhance Rosedale College, futureproofing the campus as a leading technology and applied learning specialist institution. The redevelopment involves demolishing outdated 1960s structures and replacing them with modern facilities, including new teaching and performing arts blocks, a comprehensive refurbishment of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) block, enhancement of sports fields and Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs), providing contemporary dining and social canopies, and new infrastructure. Temporary accommodation will also be removed to reinstate the sports field. Bouygues UK will be supported by Stride Treglown and NVB Landscape as part of the design team. Mark Cesenek, Managing Director at Bouygues UK, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are excited to work with the DfE and deliver a transformative project for Rosedale College, to create a vibrant and progressive learning environment.” Stewart Duguid, Chair of the Rosedale Hewens Academy Trust said “We are delighted that the Department for Education (DfE) has chosen to support Rosedale College in this transformative rebuild project. This investment marks a significant milestone in our journey to provide an exceptional learning environment for our students. Bouygues UK has demonstrated a deep understanding of our vision and values, and we are confident they will deliver a campus that truly reflects the aspirations of our college community.” A key feature of this project will be its dedication to achieving net zero carbon in operation, highlighting the importance of sustainability to the Department for Education and Bouygues UK. Regarding social value, Bouygues UK will run the ‘Adopt a School’ initiative led by Class of Your Own, supporting the award-winning Design Engineer Construct! (DEC) Learning Programme. This initiative ensures active engagement of children and young people, nurturing their skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm for pursuing careers in the Built Environment sector. They are empowered to understand the positive impacts they can make on society and the natural environment. This project demonstrates Bouygues UK’s commitment to excellence in educational infrastructure, supporting the development of innovative learning environments in the UK. It is set for completion in Autumn 2028. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
City of Edinburgh Council has approved a £69m programme to refurbish Cables Wynd House and Linksview House in Leith, paving the way for a deep retrofit of two Category A listed post-war blocks that together provide 310 homes, the majority for social rent. Designed by Collective Architecture with Edinburgh Council as client, the scheme targets the Scottish Government’s EESSH2 energy standard for social housing while upgrading life-safety, security and public realm. AtkinsRéalis is lead consultant, with Blackwood Partnership delivering mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering, Narro Associates as structural engineer and Urban Pioneers Landscape Architects shaping the external works. Fabric and services improvements include enhanced insulation, replacement windows and energy-efficient heating systems to reduce demand and improve comfort. Fire safety measures will be significantly strengthened through new sprinkler systems, smoke ventilation, a dedicated fire-fighting lift and improved compartmentation to communal areas. Legacy bin chutes will be removed and modern internal waste management introduced to reduce risk. Resident safety and security are set to benefit from upgraded internal and external lighting, a review of CCTV provision and improved access control across both buildings. The wider estate will be refreshed with new play areas, seating, wildflower meadows and sustainable urban drainage systems, alongside a review of parking and waste facilities to improve day-to-day management. For the project team, the approvals mark a key step in balancing conservation with performance. The approach prioritises sensitive retention of architectural character while delivering measurable gains in energy efficiency, resilience and resident wellbeing. With planning secured, the focus turns to detailed design and delivery logistics on a live residential estate, including sequencing, resident liaison and procurement of tested and certified systems. The programme underscores Edinburgh’s commitment to investing in safe, warmer and more sustainable council homes, using retrofit to extend building life while meeting modern standards. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Global real estate advisor CBRE has been appointed to spearhead the operator selection process and development funding strategy to deliver Sunderland’s Crown Works Film Studios. The agent, renowned for its global expertise in large-scale commercial and regeneration projects, will act on behalf of Sunderland City Council to start immediate engagement with potential operators, investors and developers, managing new interest to deliver a studio at the site. CBRE advised SKY on their partnership with Legal and General to deliver Sky Studios Elstree, a 12-sound-stage studio in Hertfordshire. CBRE will work to secure operators, partners and private investment needed to transform the 80-acre site on the banks of the River Wear into a 1.5 million sq ft, world-class film and TV production complex, with the aim of a developer breaking ground in the new year. The appointment of CBRE marks a significant milestone for the multi-million-pound development. CBRE will bring its global reach and sector expertise to identify and secure the best operator, while also advising on the structuring of the development funding strategy to ensure the successful delivery of the project. This supports the council’s wider ambitions to place Sunderland firmly on an international stage and, along with other major regeneration projects currently taking place, keep attracting inward investment into the city. Councillor Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Appointing CBRE is a pivotal and strategic step in securing the right investor and development partner to deliver this transformational scheme. Their global reach, experience and industry knowledge is highly impressive and we, and they, are very positive and determined that Crown Works Studios will be delivered but now with a new partner. Our ambition has not wavered, so we will keep pushing forward.” Planning permission is already in place for the first phase of Crown Works Studios, with outline consent for future phases, and this is supported by a public funding package worth £120 million secured from the UK Government, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and the North East Combined Authority. Remediation of the site is currently underway, funded through an initial £25 million investment. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness commented: “We have made the creative industries a central part of our Growth Plan for the region, and this site has the potential to power an entire industry in our region, opening new opportunities for local people and building on our reputation as a prime location for major film and TV drama. With CBRE now on board, we are very much looking ahead and taking a major step towards turning this vision into a reality.” CBRE will now begin comprehensive market engagement to identify preferred operating and funding partners, it is anticipated, by autumn. The new selected partner(/s) will be responsible for delivering the first phase of the development and unlocking the full potential of the site. The project is expected to attract private sector interest, buoyed by the scale of public investment and the strength of demand for high-end film and TV production space, especially more recently as production in the North East region surges. Figures from North East Screen show a 131per cent increase over three years in production spend in the region. Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen, added: “We are witnessing a landmark moment for creative industries here in our region and Crown Works Studios will provide ground-breaking facilities and the infrastructure we need to build on our recent 131% growth in production. It will support a sustainable, thriving sector that is growing month on month, year on year right here in the North East.” Andy Byrne, Northern TMT Lead for CBRE, added: “CBRE is excited to bring this opportunity to the market. Sunderland City Council is at the forefront of regeneration in this region and have ambitious plans to see world-class film and TV production space brought forward to match the demand for purpose-built studio space. This scheme is set to be a catalyst for great things within the region.” For more information about the Crown Works Studios investment opportunity, please contact CBRE at Andrew Byrne, 07823 520 540 andrew.byrne@cbre.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than half (59%) of UK heating engineers are either already or likely to work with other companies to develop heat pump competencies, according to heating and hot water solutions provider Baxi’s fourth annual Installer Skills Survey. Despite this interest in being prepared, a lack of consumer demand remains the number one barrier to heat pump uptake – with 60% of installers citing this as the main barrier, highlighting the challenge of converting installer interest into real-world installations. The 2025 Survey showed that attitudes of some segments of the heating engineer population are becoming more sceptical of heat pumps and towards net zero more broadly, reflecting the increasingly divisive narratives on the topic from across the political spectrum. The survey – conducted with green supply chain consultancy Talan (formerly Gemserv) – gathered responses from almost 400 installers, making it the most comprehensive snapshot of UK installer attitudes to heat pumps to date. Confidence growing as training makes its mark The study found that 59% of installers are either already developing the skills to fit heat pumps or intending to do so within the next few years. As the majority of installer operators are either sole traders or very small businesses with just two or three employees, the trend is to partner with other companies that can provide complimentary services, such as system design, installation support or financing. The number of installers citing a lack of training as a barrier has fallen by 18 percentage points compared with 2024, suggesting that industry investment in training is beginning to pay off. Baxi alone has seen over 1,000 installers attend its own heat pump training courses over the last 12 months. When asked what drives them in their work, heating engineers most frequently cited providing a good service to customers (85%), solving technical problems (62%), and getting things right from a technical perspective (50%). According to Baxi, this sense of professionalism partly explains why some installers hesitate to recommend new technologies until they feel fully competent. “Installers clearly want to do the right thing for their customers,” said Ian Trott, Head of Training at Baxi UK. “Many take pride in their technical ability and won’t compromise on service until they’ve built real hands-on experience with the technology. Training for a qualification is one thing – but training for competence is what’s really needed to move the needle on installer engagement.” Hybrids seen as a practical bridge The 2025 survey also found that 35% of installers have or would be somewhat or extremely likely to move to fitting heat pumps as part of a hybrid system, where a heat pump works alongside an existing combi boiler, rather than as a full heat pump only replacement. Unlike a stand-alone heat pump system, hybrids typically do not require a water cylinder making the installation lower cost, quicker, less disruptive and with less complexity for the installer. “Hybrids can be a powerful transitional step,” Trott said. “They are often more attractive to installers because they’re easier to fit, and to customers because they require less cost and disruption. Research shows a well-installed hybrid can cut a home’s heating carbon footprint by around 70% a year or more. Supporting hybrid options would give more installers valuable real-world experience and help homeowners see the benefits earlier.” Paperwork and demand still holding the sector back While attitudes to heat pumps have shifted positively, consumer demand is developing more slowly. Although many households continue to prefer a straightforward like-for-like boiler replacement, 2024 was still a record year for UK heat pump sales. Almost half of respondents – 46% – named the paperwork involved in government schemes as a major obstacle to installing heat pumps, saying it slows down projects and can deter customers from making the switch. To help ease this burden, Baxi will launch its own MCS Umbrella scheme later this year, designed to reduce the administrative workload for smaller businesses and sole traders. The company has also expanded its hands-on training programme and increased online and video-based educational resources produced at its Warwick Solutions Academy. Generational divide and industry dynamics A recurring theme in Baxi’s annual surveys has been a generational divide in attitudes to retraining. Installers approaching retirement are generally less inclined to invest in developing new skills, while those earlier in their careers are more open to diversifying their expertise. The survey also noted that a large proportion of UK heat installers work either as sole traders or in very small teams. This structure can make it more difficult for them to take time out for training or to manage the additional paperwork that often accompanies low-carbon installations. Many respondents said they expect to collaborate or partner with other service providers to meet future demand for clean heat technologies. “These findings show that despite some hardening of opinions most gas boiler installers aren’t dogmatic about technology and just want to do a good job for their customers. Many installers are preparing for the future, with plans to prepare for the uptake of heat pumps and develop their skills. As a result, more installers are comfortable talking to their customers about energy efficiency and fewer say that training is a barrier than in last year’s study. It shows that the work the sector is doing to encourage training is working,” said Will Taylor, Principal Consultant at Talan. The role of installers in decarbonisation Home heating is responsible for around 18% of the UK’s carbon emissions, and approximately 85% of households still rely on natural gas boilers. As the transition to cleaner heating accelerates, installers are expected to play a central role in guiding customers through their choices and in ensuring new technologies are fitted competently and to a high standard. Almost 400 installers took part in this year’s survey, which was conducted in July and August 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Former ice rink site has been cleared and will become a major residential led scheme of nearly 1000 homes, complete with associated amenities. Strettons and Vandermolen Real Estate are pleased to announce the sale of Rom Valley Gardens, a significant seven-acre site in Romford, Essex, for an undisclosed price. Previously the home of the Romford Ice Arena, planning permission has been granted for the site to become a new mixed-use residential led scheme, bringing much needed new homes and associated amenities to Romford. Acting jointly with Vandermolen RE, Strettons’ Agency team advised Strettons Receivers on the sale of the site to an undisclosed buyer. Rom Valley Gardens has a hybrid planning consent for a phased scheme of up to 972 dwellings, alongside a new medical centre, retail, café and resident amenities. The masterplan envisages seven blocks ranging from 2 to 12 storeys, providing flexibility across tenures and the scale to create a new community in central Romford. Aasia Pathan, Agency & Development Land Director at Strettons, said:“Rom Valley Gardens is a strategically significant site for Romford, with the capacity to deliver hundreds of much-needed homes as well as vital community facilities. With the Elizabeth Line just minutes away and planning consent already secured, it is well placed to transform this part of the town. We saw strong interest in the site and secured an unconditional exchange quickly, which reflects both the strength of the opportunity and the capability of the purchaser to move the project forward at pace.” Chris Rook, Land Director at Vandermolen RE said: “It’s fantastic to have secured another successful sale on behalf of Strettons Receivers. Rom Valley Gardens represents an exceptional opportunity to unlock over 970 much-needed homes in the heart of Romford. We’re proud to have been involved in re-energising this important strategic site.” Located on Rom Valley Way in the London Borough of Havering, the site is just 0.6 miles from Romford Station, offering fast Elizabeth Line services into central London. It also benefits from close proximity to Romford town centre’s retail and leisure offer, as well as excellent road and bus connections via the A12 and M25. Strettons’ Development Land Agency team acted jointly with Vandermolen RE. The transaction was completed on behalf of the Fixed Charge Receivers, Charles Kornbluth and Benjamin Tobin of Strettons. Charles Kornbluth said: “Well done to Strettons and Vandermolen RE agency teams, and thanks to Simmons & Simmons for their expert legal advice. I look forward to seeing the completed scheme which will greatly enhance the area.” Strettons are regeneration specialists, working on behalf of landowners and developers to realise the value of their assets. Their multidisciplinary in-house teams advise across all stages of development, from site sale and planning through to disposal of completed schemes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bouygues UK proudly announces a pivotal milestone in the transformation of Stanmore College, with the construction project successfully reaching topping out – the highest point of the new building structure. This significant achievement marks a crucial step forward in delivering the £60 million state-of-the-art further education facility, funded by the Department for Education’s Further Education Improvement Programme under the CF21 Framework. The topping out ceremony symbolises the emerging reality of a transformed educational environment that will serve thousands of students for years to come. With the structural framework now complete, the project moves into the next exciting phase of creating inspiring learning spaces designed to enhance student outcomes and opportunities. “Topping out is always an incredibly proud moment for our team, but this project holds special significance as we’re constructing the future of further education in this community,’ said Mark Cesenek, Managing Director at Bouygues UK. ‘Our standardised ‘kit of parts’ approach, combined with our commitment to net-zero principles, is creating a building that will be flexible, sustainable and designed to inspire learning“ The ambitious project involves complete reconfiguration of Stanmore College’s existing site, replacing four outdated buildings with four cutting-edge new builds. Utilising Bouygues UK’s proven educational building methodology, the new facility integrates sustainability principles whilst ensuring an efficient and timely build. Beyond the physical construction, the project is already delivering educational value through innovative partnerships. Bouygues UK has inducted its first cohort of T Level students into Design Surveying and Planning internships, developed in collaboration with social enterprise Class Of Your Own. The second cohort will include students from Stanmore College. These internships form part of the award-winning ‘Design Engineer Construct!’ learning programme, giving future professionals hands-on experience with cutting-edge construction projects. “The college’s Principal Anette Cast expressed her enthusiasm about the progress: ‘The speed and quality of this build is amazing. It’s inspiring to see the new campus taking shape so quickly and to such a high standard. This transformation will give our students access to world-class facilities and create opportunities that will benefit the wider community for years to come.“ With construction progressing smoothly towards the 2027 completion date, the topping out milestone demonstrates Bouygues UK’s commitment to delivering high-quality educational infrastructure to the Department for Education. The new facility will feature modern teaching spaces, advanced technical workshops, and collaborative learning areas designed to meet the evolving needs of further education. The project reinforces Bouygues UK’s position as a leading contractor in the education sector, with a proven track record of delivering inspiring and sustainable learning environments across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wingstop will open its third Glasgow restaurant at Silverburn this December, taking a 3,606 sq ft unit as the centre continues to expand its food and leisure offer. The deal forms part of a sustained repositioning of the south-west Glasgow destination. Over the past three years Silverburn has more than doubled its F&B and leisure footprint from 75,000 sq ft to 168,000 sq ft, anchored by the arrival of flagship bowling concept King Pins in July. The strategy is aimed at deepening dwell time and broadening appeal beyond pure retail, with a pipeline focused on high-growth operators. Managed by Eurofund Group and owned by Henderson Park, Silverburn has been selectively reconfigured to create modern, right-sized space for brands with strong regional draw. Wingstop’s addition complements an evolving mix that targets families, groups and evening trade, strengthening the centre’s position as a regional destination. Wingstop entered the UK in 2018 and has been recognised as the nation’s fastest-growing restaurant group for three consecutive years in The Sunday Times 100, making it a sought-after tenant for landlords seeking experiential offers that drive frequency. Henderson Park and Eurofund Group were advised by Culverwell and Time Retail Partners on the letting. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Today, Glenigan | Powered by Hubexo, one of the construction industry’s leading insight experts, releases the October 2025 edition of its Construction Index. The Index reviews the three months to the end of September 2025, focusing on underlying projects with a total value of £100 million or less (unless otherwise stated). All figures are seasonally adjusted. It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months. The October Index paints a bleak picture of continuing decline, with the impressive performance increases observed over spring and summer now feeling like a distant memory. The value of work starting on-site in the three months to September declined 16%, remaining 15% lower than the same period in 2024. Performance fell in both the residential and non-residential sectors. The former was hardest hit, plummeting by around a quarter against the preceding three months (-26%) and last year (-24%), respectively. The impact on the latter was less severe, with drops of 9% against the preceding three months and 5% compared to 2024. Once more, this highlights an industry being constantly buffeted by fresh headwinds. Battling against persistently low market confidence, poor investor appetite and trepidatious public spending, this trio of challenges is likely discouraging clients and contractors from commencing projects in the short term. However, it wasn’t entirely doom and gloom; a couple of bright spots shone through the overall malaise. Similar to last month’s index, office starts were, once more, on the up. A relatively strong period, starts on-site soared by a third (32%) against the preceding three months and rocketed 123% on the previous year. A number of landmark developments have contributed to this impressive rise, including two high-value retrofits in London. One is at Bush House, the former BBC World Service headquarters, which is undergoing an £86 million transformation for King’s College London. Another is the £59 million retrofit of 30 Finsbury Square, located on the edge of the City of London. Commenting on the results, Glenigan Economic Director Allan Wilen says, “It feels somewhat like déjà vu, where encouraging signs in the middle of the year have once more given way to further decline. Of course, there are several different factors at play. Looking at the residential market, project starts have faltered over the past quarter, which, perhaps, reflects the slower-than-anticipated recovery in house purchaser confidence, coupled with ongoing developmental delays. This is in part due to slow BSR approvals, which account for the sharp fall we registered in the apartment sub-vertical. He continues, “It was great to see office starts continue its ascendancy and encouraging to see confidence flooding back into a vertical which has been largely subdued in recent years. However, these positive results were not nearly enough to mitigate the poor performance in other quarters, particularly health and education, which eclipsed these outlying areas of growth. As uncertainty once again tightens its grip, the industry will be looking ahead to the Autumn Budget to see what rabbits, however small, the Chancellor can pull from her hat, to help kick-start activity.” Taking a closer look at the Index results… Sector Analysis – Residential The residential sector has failed to regain the renewed momentum it experienced in Q.2 2025. Overall starts were down 26% in the preceding three months, standing 24% below 2024 figures. Drilling down further, private housing fell 25% during the Index period and 23% compared to the previous year. It was a similarly disappointing story for social housing, with activity slashed by over a quarter (-29%) to finish 24% lower year-on-year. Sector Analysis – Non-Residential Aside from the outstanding results recorded for office construction, performance was generally poor in non-residential sectors. Positive signs were registered in the Civils vertical, where work starting on-site increased 4% against the preceding three months but decreased 13% against the previous year. This was largely due to a modest spurt in infrastructure starts, which increased 9% against the preceding three months and rose by 4% over the previous year. This was tempered by a dip in utilities work, which declined 2% against the preceding three months to stand 26% down against the previous year Elsewhere, the chips were decidedly down. Health experienced a poor period, falling 21% against the preceding three months and diving 30% lower than the previous year, whilst education fell 19% against the preceding three months and declined 32% against the previous year. Reflecting subdued consumer confidence, hotel & Leisure declined 11% against the preceding three months and declined 1% against the previous year. Likewise, retail was down 17% against the preceding three months to stand 28% lower than 2024 levels. Finally, community and amenity project starts declined 24% against the preceding three months but increased 12% against the previous year. Regional Performance Regional performance was decidedly sluggish, with the North West the only consistently robust performer, albeit only just, posting 6% increases against the preceding three months while managing to stay flat at 2024 levels. It was a mixed picture in a couple of other regions. The North East declined 32% against the preceding three months, yet stood 54% up against the previous year. Similarly, the West Midlands dipped 13% against the preceding three months but rose by a more modest 5% compared to last year. Elsewhere, it was across-the-board decline. The Capital experienced a poor performance, falling 27% against the preceding three months to finish 20% down against the previous year. The South East fared little better, declining 17% against the preceding three months to stand 25% down against the previous year. The South West also declined 24% against the preceding three months to stand 23% down against the previous year. Find out more about Glenigan here: www.glenigan.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Morgan Sindall has lifted its profit guidance again on the back of a standout performance from its Overbury fit-out arm, signalling a stronger-than-expected 2025. Since its summer half-year update, the group now anticipates full-year results will be significantly ahead of previous expectations. Overbury has led the charge, outperforming on trading and delivery and pushing its order book to £1.6bn at the end of August — up 8% on both the half-year and year-end 2024. Around £900m of that workload is already locked in for 2026 and beyond, underscoring momentum into next year. Across the wider group, the secured workload has risen to £12.2bn, 7% higher year on year. Daily average net cash is expected to exceed £350m, beating earlier guidance of £330m and reinforcing balance sheet strength. Partnership Housing profits are tracking in line with plan, supported by long-term regeneration programmes including 3,500 homes at Druids Heath in Birmingham and 2,500 across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Mixed Use Partnerships remains a drag, with second-half operating losses set to nearly double the £1.5m recorded in the first half as the business continues to invest in schemes yet to break ground. Construction and Infrastructure divisions are on course to meet targets with solid order book growth, while Property Services continues to deliver a modest profit. With fit-out demand still robust and significant forward work secured, Morgan Sindall enters the final quarter with increased confidence and visibility across its core markets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals