Developer-led estate expansion plans at Greggs are set to continue at pace, with the food-to-go operator targeting 120 net new store openings during 2026. The growth follows a busy 2025, during which Greggs opened 207 new shops, averaging almost four openings per week. That programme included 50 relocations and 36
Developer Muse has been selected as preferred development partner to lead one of the UK’s largest city-centre regeneration programmes, taking a central role in shaping the future of Bristol Temple Quarter. Muse Places will drive the delivery of up to 10,000 new homes alongside major commercial development, new public realm
The construction of one of the most complicated parts of the HS2 project took a step forward over the Christmas break, as Balfour Beatty VINCI completed two key viaduct spans over the existing railway near Water Orton in Warwickshire. The spans form a small part of the Delta junction –
Developer Fiera Real Estate has formed a major joint venture with the Universities Superannuation Scheme to launch a new UK-focused industrial development platform. The partnership will see USS commit around £500m to the venture, which has been established with an initial five-year term. The joint venture will target individual acquisitions
Developer Chart Forte has secured planning approval to deliver a four-storey rooftop extension as part of the conversion of a former City of London office building into a luxury hotel. The City of London Corporation has granted consent for the redevelopment of the Grade II-listed St Clement’s House at 27–28
Developer Marvel has secured full planning approval to deliver a £300m indoor ski and leisure resort in Wales after the Welsh Government confirmed it would not intervene in the scheme. Councillors at Merthyr Tydfil Council have now given final approval for the Rhydycar West development, clearing the way for what
Developers Gamuda Berhad and Castleforge have formally appointed Multiplex to deliver the £250m main construction contract for the redevelopment of 75 London Wall in the City of London. The contract was signed this week, clearing the way for full construction to begin on the landmark scheme following extensive enabling and
Robertson Facilities Management has secured its first contract with ScotRail after being appointed to deliver grounds maintenance and winter gritting services across the rail operator’s Scottish estate. The two-year contract was awarded following a competitive tender process and marks the first time Robertson Facilities Management has worked with ScotRail. The
Industrial developer Hillwood has secured a 35-acre site in Crewe and is pressing ahead with plans for a major £100m speculative logistics and industrial development. The land, located off David Whitby Way close to Junction 16 of the M6, has been acquired from a subsidiary of the Co-op Group, which
PizzaExpress has opened in the restored former Burton building in Hull, bringing the art deco landmark back into use for the first time in half a decade. The pizzeria brand has become the first occupier of Burton House in Hull city centre, following a stunning £2.4m regeneration delivered by leading
Developer-led estate expansion plans at Greggs are set to continue at pace, with the food-to-go operator targeting 120 net new store openings during 2026. The growth follows a busy 2025, during which Greggs opened 207 new shops, averaging almost four openings per week. That programme included 50 relocations and 36 closures, resulting in a net increase of 121 stores over the year. As of 27 December, the business operated a total of 2,739 outlets across the UK, made up of 2,137 company-managed stores and 602 franchised locations. Greggs said its expansion strategy remains focused on improving coverage in under-served catchments while relocating existing shops from constrained sites to better-positioned locations that can support higher footfall and longer-term growth. The store rollout is supported by continued investment in supply chain capacity, which is expected to come on stream during 2026. Greggs said these upgrades are key to unlocking further expansion while maintaining operational efficiency across its growing estate. The update comes alongside the release of the company’s fourth-quarter trading figures for 2025, which showed sales growth of 7.4% over the period. For the full year, total sales reached £2.151bn, representing an increase of 6.8% compared with 2024. Chief executive Roisin Currie said the business made solid progress during a challenging trading environment, noting that subdued consumer confidence continued to affect the wider food-to-go market. She added that Greggs had outperformed the sector and increased its share of customer visits. Looking ahead, Currie said the company enters 2026 with a strong pipeline of new opportunities that will make Greggs even more convenient for customers. She highlighted continued focus on efficiency and value, particularly for consumers managing household budgets, as a core driver of the brand’s ongoing expansion. With estate growth and infrastructure investment moving forward in tandem, Greggs is positioning itself for another year of sustained rollout across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer Muse has been selected as preferred development partner to lead one of the UK’s largest city-centre regeneration programmes, taking a central role in shaping the future of Bristol Temple Quarter. Muse Places will drive the delivery of up to 10,000 new homes alongside major commercial development, new public realm and significant transport upgrades centred around Bristol’s main rail hub. The appointment places Muse at the heart of a long-term regeneration strategy designed to transform a key gateway into the city. The developer will initially focus on Temple Meads West, an area comprising a series of publicly owned sites immediately adjacent to Bristol Temple Meads station. These include land at the Friary, the City Point building and multi-storey car park at Temple Gate, Lower Station Approach and the Portwall Lane car park. Muse is expected to begin work on an outline planning application for Temple Meads West, with submission targeted for early 2027. Alongside this, Muse will support BTQ LLP in developing longer-term proposals for St Philip’s Marsh. The area represents one of the largest remaining brownfield regeneration opportunities in central Bristol and forms a key component of the wider 135-hectare Temple Quarter programme. Bristol Temple Quarter is being brought forward through a partnership between Homes England, Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority. BTQ LLP said Muse was selected for its strong regeneration credentials and proven delivery record, citing major schemes in Salford, Plymouth and London, as well as its long-standing involvement in Bristol through the Wapping Wharf development. The appointment comes as momentum continues to build across Temple Quarter, supported by substantial public investment already under way. Construction is progressing on a new £23m eastern entrance to Bristol Temple Meads, funded through a £95m government grant, and due to open in September 2026 alongside the University of Bristol’s £500m Enterprise Campus. Further transport improvements are also advancing. BTQ LLP secured a resolution to grant planning permission for the Southern Gateway transport hub late last year, with a contractor expected to be appointed imminently and works scheduled to begin on site this summer. With Muse now in place as preferred partner, the Temple Quarter regeneration is set to enter a critical new phase, laying the foundations for one of the most ambitious urban renewal programmes in the country. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The construction of one of the most complicated parts of the HS2 project took a step forward over the Christmas break, as Balfour Beatty VINCI completed two key viaduct spans over the existing railway near Water Orton in Warwickshire. The spans form a small part of the Delta junction – a huge triangular intersection being built to the east of Birmingham for the new high-speed railway. Like the nearby Spaghetti Junction, it is formed of a complex series of interconnected viaducts, taking the high-speed line over motorways, local roads, existing railways, rivers and floodplains. It is designed to carry HS2 services to and from Birmingham, as well as connecting to the mainline heading north and south. To maintain speeds of 360km/h on the mainline and around 200km/h on the approaches to Birmingham, the junction is stretched out over a far larger area than a motorway junction, with 2.6 miles of track, including underpasses, flyovers and five major viaducts. The Water Orton viaducts are at the northern end of the junction and will allow southbound trains to join the spur into Birmingham Curzon Street and the rolling stock depot at Washwood Heath. Engineers working for Balfour Beatty VINCI used a five-day closure over the quieter Christmas period to safely complete the two parallel spans over the existing Birmingham to Peterborough railway line. With the railway crossing complete, the team can move on to the next sections of the viaducts over the nearby A446 road and the M42 motorway next year. Stephane Ciccolini, Senior Works Manager at Balfour Beatty VINCI, said: “This complex section of the HS2 route has taken a major step forward, after Balfour Beatty VINCI teams successfully erected two viaducts spans over an existing railway near Water Orton. “We’ve worked around the clock during the Christmas period to deliver this incredible feat of engineering, using a specialist cantilever technique not seen in the UK before this project. This approach involves using a 22-metre-high mast and a 14-metre-high swivel crane to move each individual segment into place until the span is complete.” Sam Hinkley, HS2 Ltd’s Senior Project Manager said: “It’s great to see the Water Orton viaducts in place across the railway and I’d like to thank everyone who gave up their Christmas to help us reach this important milestone and I’d like to thank passengers for their patience. “These precast segmental viaducts form a key part of the Delta junction – one of the most complex parts of the HS2 project and I look forward to seeing more progress in the year ahead.” Once complete, the two single-track Water Orton viaducts will stretch for around 1.4km across two railways, a river, local roads and the M42. The viaducts are made of pre-cast concrete segments that are installed using a huge cantilever process. Once each span is in place, the permanent post-tensioned cables are installed in the hollow centre of the viaduct allowing the temporary cables stays to be moved forward to support the assembly of the next span. The same process is repeated between each pier until all the spans are complete. The 32 concrete piers that support the Water Orton viaducts are up to 20m tall and cast in situ using bespoke formwork and reinforcing cages manufactured at nearby Coleshill. The Water Orton viaducts form part of 3.7 miles worth of viaduct across Delta junction which are being built using this approach. All 2,742 concrete segments needed for the viaducts are being manufactured at a temporary factory at nearby Lea Marston. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer Fiera Real Estate has formed a major joint venture with the Universities Superannuation Scheme to launch a new UK-focused industrial development platform. The partnership will see USS commit around £500m to the venture, which has been established with an initial five-year term. The joint venture will target individual acquisitions of up to £50m, focusing on the development of prime small-to-mid-box industrial assets in strategically located urban markets across the UK. The platform will be managed by Chris Button, head of investment management for Europe at Fiera Real Estate, and will concentrate on brownfield and established employment sites. The ambition is to deliver multi-let urban industrial schemes of up to 250,000 sq ft that respond to strong occupier demand for modern, well-located space. Fiera Real Estate said the joint venture will draw on its operating partner model and its track record in delivering ground-up development projects, with the aim of building a market-leading logistics portfolio. Sustainability will be a central theme, with schemes designed to meet high ESG standards and align with the evolving priorities of occupiers. Charlie Allen, head of European real estate at Fiera Real Estate, said the platform is intended to address demand for contemporary industrial assets that support sustainability objectives, improve supply-chain resilience and enhance carbon performance. He added that favourable market dynamics, pricing conditions and the continued digitalisation of the economy underpin the long-term investment case for UK logistics and urban industrial property. Alex Turner, head of property at Universities Superannuation Scheme, said the partnership builds on USS’s established presence in the industrial sector. He noted that the scheme already has a £1.5bn industrial portfolio and brings deep sector expertise to the venture. The joint venture is already progressing, with two prime sites under offer in South East England. Together, the schemes are expected to deliver a combined gross development value in excess of £100m. While financial terms have not been formally disclosed, the partnership signals continued confidence in the UK industrial and logistics market, particularly in well-connected urban locations where supply remains constrained. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer Chart Forte has secured planning approval to deliver a four-storey rooftop extension as part of the conversion of a former City of London office building into a luxury hotel. The City of London Corporation has granted consent for the redevelopment of the Grade II-listed St Clement’s House at 27–28 Clements Lane, clearing the way for a 180-key Marriott hotel in the heart of the Square Mile. The scheme is being brought forward by family-run developer Chart Forte (Monument), with designs by Studio Moren. Construction works are expected to commence this summer, with the build programme anticipated to last between 18 and 24 months. Located between Monument and Bank, the mid-19th century building will be transformed from underused office space into a design-led hotel, supporting the City’s wider ambition to diversify land use beyond its traditional commercial office base. The proposals include a public-facing ground floor offering a lounge, restaurant, café and bar, helping to animate the surrounding streetscape throughout the day and evening. A key feature of the scheme is a lightweight metal rooftop extension that will add four new storeys of guest accommodation. The curved design has been developed to respond sensitively to the building’s historic context, drawing inspiration from its existing segmental arches as well as the vaulted forms of nearby St Clement’s Church. This approach allows the hotel to increase capacity while maintaining a respectful relationship with the surrounding townscape. The conversion is underpinned by a heritage-led strategy that will see key architectural features retained and restored. These include the marble-clad street-level façade, original staircases and cast-iron columns. Elements that have been lost over time, such as decorative plaster ceilings, chimney breasts and internal arches, will be reinstated as part of the works. Sustainability sits at the heart of the proposals, with the project targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating. A reuse-first approach will be adopted, incorporating roof-mounted photovoltaic panels, low-carbon materials and building services, fabric upgrades, rainwater harvesting and the creation of a biodiverse green roof. Once complete, the hotel is expected to make a significant contribution to the City’s growing leisure and hospitality offer, bringing new life to a historic building while responding to changing patterns of demand in the Square Mile. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer Marvel has secured full planning approval to deliver a £300m indoor ski and leisure resort in Wales after the Welsh Government confirmed it would not intervene in the scheme. Councillors at Merthyr Tydfil Council have now given final approval for the Rhydycar West development, clearing the way for what is being promoted as the UK’s longest indoor snow centre. The site is located on land to the south west of the A470 and A4102 roundabout. At the heart of the scheme is a 400-metre-long indoor ski slope, which would significantly exceed the length of existing UK facilities and place the resort among the largest indoor snow centres worldwide. The development will also include a tropical water park, a range of indoor and outdoor adventure attractions, up to 418 hotel bedrooms, 30 woodland lodges and approximately 830 car parking spaces. Marvel said the facility is intended to become the official training base for GB and Welsh Olympic and Paralympic snow sports teams, positioning Merthyr Tydfil as a major destination for winter sports and leisure tourism. Plans for the Rhydycar West scheme were first unveiled in 2017, with a formal planning application submitted in 2023. When the proposals were considered by councillors in March 2025, members voted against officers’ recommendations to refuse consent on the former coal and ironstone mining site. The decision prompted a referral to the planning inspectorate. In November 2025, the Welsh Government confirmed it would not call the scheme in, returning the application to Merthyr Tydfil Council for a final determination, which has now been granted. Marvel said the resort would surpass the UK’s current benchmark indoor snow facility at Manchester’s Chill Factore and deliver a major boost to the local and regional economy. The developer estimates that the project will generate around 1,500 construction jobs during the build phase, with approximately 1,200 of those expected to be filled by local workers. Once operational, the resort is forecast to support around 800 permanent jobs across hospitality, leisure and facility management. With planning hurdles now cleared, Marvel is expected to progress the scheme towards delivery, bringing one of the UK’s most ambitious leisure developments a step closer to reality. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developers Gamuda Berhad and Castleforge have formally appointed Multiplex to deliver the £250m main construction contract for the redevelopment of 75 London Wall in the City of London. The contract was signed this week, clearing the way for full construction to begin on the landmark scheme following extensive enabling and demolition works carried out by the Erith Group. The wider redevelopment carries an overall project value of £1.2bn, with practical completion targeted for the first quarter of 2028. Multiplex has been closely involved in the scheme for the past year under a pre-construction services agreement, working alongside the development team to refine buildability, programme and sustainability strategies ahead of the main works commencing. Once complete, the redevelopment of 75 London Wall will deliver more than 450,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation, repositioning an existing large-scale building into a future-ready commercial asset at a time when availability of high-quality office space in the City remains constrained. Niall Farmer, head of Gamuda Land UK at Gamuda Berhad, said the contract award marked an important step in the group’s expansion in the UK market and its strategy to unlock long-term value from prime London assets. He added that the scheme represents a rare opportunity to transform a building of scale into highly sustainable workspace at a point when demand for top-tier offices continues to outstrip supply. Michael Kovacs, founding partner of Castleforge, said the timing of the project was critical. With office construction starts in London at their lowest level in almost two decades, he said bringing the scheme to completion in 2028 would help address acute supply shortages, noting that successful office investment often requires building through the quieter parts of the cycle. Callum Tuckett, managing director of Multiplex, said delivering a project of this scale in the heart of the City demands both technical expertise and innovation. He added that the scheme would set a new benchmark for sustainable commercial development, with the contractor’s early involvement enabling the project team to move swiftly into the delivery phase. The redevelopment is expected to play a significant role in shaping the next generation of City office space. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Robertson Facilities Management has secured its first contract with ScotRail after being appointed to deliver grounds maintenance and winter gritting services across the rail operator’s Scottish estate. The two-year contract was awarded following a competitive tender process and marks the first time Robertson Facilities Management has worked with ScotRail. The appointment strengthens the company’s presence within the transport and infrastructure sector. Under the agreement, Robertson Facilities Management will deliver planned and reactive services at more than 360 locations across Scotland. These include stations, depots, signalling centres, office buildings, operational yards and a wide range of passenger-facing environments that require year-round maintenance. The scope of works covers winter gritting, vegetation control, litter collection and broader grounds maintenance activities. The services are designed to support safe, accessible and well-managed environments, particularly during challenging winter conditions, while maintaining consistent standards throughout the year. William Heaney, managing director for Scotland at Robertson Facilities Management, said Scotland’s rail network plays a vital role in daily life and requires a high level of care to ensure it remains safe, compliant and welcoming. He said the business brings extensive experience in maintaining complex operational estates and will apply this expertise to deliver consistent, high-quality and value-driven services across the ScotRail network. Heaney added that the company is looking forward to developing a collaborative partnership with ScotRail to support both staff and passengers throughout the year. The contract award represents an important milestone for Robertson Facilities Management and reflects growing demand for integrated, reliable estate services across major transport and public sector portfolios. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Industrial developer Hillwood has secured a 35-acre site in Crewe and is pressing ahead with plans for a major £100m speculative logistics and industrial development. The land, located off David Whitby Way close to Junction 16 of the M6, has been acquired from a subsidiary of the Co-op Group, which has been working in partnership with regeneration specialist Muse. The plots are capable of accommodating around 800,000 sq ft of industrial space and form part of the wider WestonM6 masterplan. WestonM6 spans a total of 64 acres and could ultimately deliver up to 1.3m sq ft of industrial accommodation. Hillwood’s acquisition represents a significant milestone for the project and signals strong confidence in the UK industrial market despite ongoing economic uncertainty. Hillwood said it will invest £100m to deliver the Crewe scheme on a speculative basis, with the development expected to be one of the largest speculative industrial projects to come forward in the UK next year. Bob Tattrie, managing director at Hillwood UK, said the scale and location of the scheme would attract strong occupier demand from across both the Midlands and the North West. He said the site’s proximity to Junction 16 of the M6 makes it particularly well suited to modern logistics and distribution operators seeking high-quality accommodation with excellent motorway connectivity. Muse acted as development manager for the scheme and secured planning permission in 2024. The developer will continue in its role overseeing the delivery of infrastructure works, including the creation of a 26-acre wildlife habitat designed to enhance biodiversity and deliver environmental benefits alongside commercial development. Sarah Chicken, development manager at Muse, said Hillwood’s investment marked an important next phase for WestonM6, reinforcing market confidence in the location and supporting the long-term vision of creating a greener, healthier and more connected business community. She added that the scheme is designed to attract forward-thinking businesses, generate new opportunities for local people and contribute to economic growth in the area. Muse is also expected to progress phase two of the wider WestonM6 masterplan early next year. That phase already benefits from outline planning consent for a further 447,298 sq ft of warehouse space. The masterplan was designed by Aew Architects, with CW Studio acting as landscape architect. Avison Young is advising on planning, Hannan Associates is the MEP services engineer and Integra Consulting is responsible for civil, structural and highways engineering. B8RE has been appointed as letting agent for the scheme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
PizzaExpress has opened in the restored former Burton building in Hull, bringing the art deco landmark back into use for the first time in half a decade. The pizzeria brand has become the first occupier of Burton House in Hull city centre, following a stunning £2.4m regeneration delivered by leading commercial property developer Wykeland Group. Designed for Burton menswear company founder Montague Burton by his famed Chief Architect Henry Wilson, the building dates back to the 1930s but has stood empty since 2020, when Burton owner Arcadia Group collapsed into administration. Wykeland purchased the building in 2021 and has since delivered an extensive restoration to the exterior and key parts of the interior of the building. PizzaExpress has leased 2,400 sq ft of ground floor space, as well as 1,600 sq ft in the basement. Wykeland Development Director, Jonathan Stubbs, said: “We’re delighted to welcome PizzaExpress to Burton House. Having the nation’s most iconic pizzeria brand as our first occupier realises our vision to bring the building back into use, to be enjoyed by local people and visitors alike. “We’re extremely proud to have delivered a restoration project sensitive to the extraordinary character and history of the building. “We’re sure PizzaExpress will love their new home and customers will enjoy dining in one of the city’s most striking settings. “We’re also receiving significant interest from potential occupiers of the upper floors as we continue to once more make Burton House a thriving gem in the heart of Hull.” PizzaExpress Hull General Manager, Chris Joseph, who heads a 24-strong team, said: “We’re so excited to open our doors in our stunning new setting. We know pizza fans are going to love our new restaurant – it’s the perfect destination, from catch-ups to celebrations and everything in between.” At Burton House, work is continuing on the upper floors to create premium commercial space which are ready for occupiers to move straight into. The offices are loft-style spaces with an exposed brick aesthetic, complete with new flooring, kitchen facilities and toilets. The first, second and third floors each cover 2,500 sq ft. The restoration of Burton House is the latest significant city centre regeneration project delivered by Wykeland. The Hull-based developer has also restored historic Castle Buildings in a £2m project to bring another Hull landmark back into use, for the first time in more than half a century. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals