Kenneth Booth
Italy Gives Green Light to Record-Breaking Strait of Messina Bridge

Italy Gives Green Light to Record-Breaking Strait of Messina Bridge

Italy has confirmed plans to build the world’s longest suspension bridge, connecting Sicily to the mainland in Calabria, with completion targeted for 2032. Final approval for the long-discussed Strait of Messina Bridge project has been granted by the Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning and Sustainable Development (CIPESS), marking a decisive

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Aldi ramps up expansion with weekly store openings through 2025

Aldi ramps up expansion with weekly store openings through 2025

Aldi has announced ambitious plans to open an average of one store every week for the remainder of 2025, alongside a major refurbishment programme aimed at modernising its existing estate. The German-owned discount supermarket, which has been steadily increasing its footprint in the UK, will also revamp 35 of its

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Northumbrian Water and Vyntelligence partner to achieve total asset optimisation with video intelligence

Northumbrian Water and Vyntelligence partner to achieve total asset optimisation with video intelligence

Partnership has already delivered multi million-pound savings through faster customer issue resolution, reduced ODI penalties, and smarter asset lifecycle management Vyntelligence (Vyn®), the market-leading Agentic Video Intelligence platform, today announces a major expansion of its partnership with Northumbrian Water (NWG), one of the UK’s largest holding companies for water supply,

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Safeguard materials or 'pay the price' in wake of Storm Floris

Safeguard materials or ‘pay the price’ in wake of Storm Floris

Off the back of Storm Floris, energy solutions and temperature control specialist Aggreko is urging site managers to adopt more robust dehumidification and heating strategies in the face of high-risk weather in order to minimise damage to materials. Storm Floris recently brought 90mph winds and torrential rain to the UK,

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Construction Sector Recovery Slows Pace, Yet Remains Steady

Construction Sector Recovery Slows Pace, Yet Remains Steady

Glenigan | Powered by Hubexo, one of the construction industry’s leading insight experts, releases the August 2025 edition of its Construction Index. The Index focuses on the three months to the end of July 2025, covering all underlying projects, with a total value of £100m or less (unless otherwise indicated), with

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Latest Issue
Issue 333 : Oct 2025

Kenneth Booth

Keeping rail projects on track: how smart safety solutions are powering the UK's infrastructure boom

Keeping rail projects on track: how smart safety solutions are powering the UK’s infrastructure boom

With major infrastructure projects such as HS2 driving demand, rail improvement sites across the UK are under pressure to deliver safely, efficiently and without delay. Behind the scenes it’s the logistics, planning and safety solutions that keep everything moving. Here are seven top tips from Paul Goossens, operations director at SafeSite Facilities, to ensure a rail improvement project stays on track. 1. Offloading made easy – even on the toughest sites Offloading is one of the biggest challenges on rail projects. That’s why truck-mounted forklifts and crane-equipped vehicles are key to handle the most complex deliveries. Whether it’s a narrow roadside drop or a night-time install, it’s important to coordinate every detail to ensure materials are delivered and installed without delay. Remember it can take a long time to offload from a delivery vehicle. 2. Preventing unauthorised access: people and wildlife Rail sites should be protected with a wide range of fencing which can prevent people and animals from accessing the site. Wildlife fencing can even prevent animals from burrowing into the site and helps to ensure the construction industry protects wildlife.   These preventative measures are essential for safety and compliance. There are multiple options, including fencing, concrete and water-filled barriers to consider. 3. CCTV: protecting lives and reputations Modern CCTV systems boast thermal imaging and AI detection, which provide real-time alerts and can trigger public address warnings to prevent accidents. They can monitor site safety which can reduce the risk of accidents and deter young people and trespassers from entering a construction site. 4. Built for high winds and heavy impact Fencing systems with ballast are designed to withstand extreme conditions, including high winds, ensuring the site remains secure even in bad weather. Ballast blocks and crash barriers ensure stability and safety, even in exposed or high-traffic areas. 5. Planning and compliance at every stage Every delivery must be backed by detailed documentation to ensure it goes off without a hitch. This includes driver IDs, vehicle MOTs, training certificates and lift plans for cranes which will be used to offload. For projects like HS2, where 24-hour booking systems and strict access routes are expected, this level of planning is essential. 6. Speed and flexibility when it matters most It’s crucial that delivery services can meet urgent site needs, ensuring that materials and equipment are available when required to prevent site closures and work stoppages. Choose operators close to the site which can deliver urgently needed materials within 24 hours. Whether it’s a last-minute request to secure a dangerous area or a planned overnight install, they should be ready to respond, delivering and installing within a single shift so the team can operate safely. 7. Risk assessment and expert advice Before any order is confirmed, a full risk assessment should be completed with advice on the safest and most efficient solution presented. If a delivery or installation is too risky, it’s crucial to communicate this and help find a better alternative. For more information, visit: https://www.safesitefacilities.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Italy Gives Green Light to Record-Breaking Strait of Messina Bridge

Italy Gives Green Light to Record-Breaking Strait of Messina Bridge

Italy has confirmed plans to build the world’s longest suspension bridge, connecting Sicily to the mainland in Calabria, with completion targeted for 2032. Final approval for the long-discussed Strait of Messina Bridge project has been granted by the Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning and Sustainable Development (CIPESS), marking a decisive step forward after decades of debate. The project will be delivered by the Eurolink contracting consortium, led by Italian construction giant Webuild, working alongside Japan’s IHI – known for building the Akashi Bridge – and Spain’s Sacyr, which partnered with Webuild on the Panama Canal expansion. Danish engineering consultancy Cowi will lead the design team. The ambitious structure will stretch 3,666 metres, with a central suspended span of 3,300 metres – setting a new world record. Its deck will measure around 60 metres in width, accommodating three vehicle lanes in each direction, two railway tracks, and two service lanes. Capable of handling up to 200 trains a day and 6,000 vehicles an hour, the bridge is expected to transform connectivity between the island and mainland Italy. Steel towers rising to 399 metres will support a suspension system of four massive cables, each 1.26 metres in diameter and 5,320 metres in length. The combined cable weight is estimated at 170,000 tonnes. The deck will clear the water by 72 metres, allowing uninterrupted shipping traffic across a 600-metre width beneath the span. The project is more than just the bridge itself. Plans include over 40 kilometres of new roads and railways, three underground train stations, 10 viaducts, and multiple tunnels. The bridge will link to the Palermo–Catania–Messina rail network and the planned Salerno–Reggio Calabria high-speed railway. Excavations of 12 million cubic metres of earth in Sicily and 4.5 million in Calabria will help form new infrastructure and restore parts of the Tyrrhenian coastline. The €10.6 billion contract addendum between Eurolink and Stretto di Messina, the concessionary company, will come into effect once the CIPESS approval is published in Italy’s Official Gazette. Webuild chief executive Pietro Salini hailed the decision as a transformative moment for the country. “The bridge will stimulate growth, create jobs and showcase Italian engineering expertise on the global stage,” he said. “It represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for young professionals to work on one of the most challenging projects in the world – here at home.” If successful, the Strait of Messina Bridge will stand not only as a feat of engineering but as a powerful symbol of Italy’s ambition and unity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Mace to lead £1.1bn transformation of the British Library’s St Pancras site

Mace to lead £1.1bn transformation of the British Library’s St Pancras site

Mace has been appointed as construction manager for the £1.1 billion redevelopment of the British Library’s iconic St Pancras site in London. The major cultural and commercial scheme will see the library expanded and modernised to meet growing public demand while providing extensive new facilities. The appointment was made by the British Library’s development partner SMBL, a subsidiary of Japanese property group Mitsui Fudosan. Working under the direction of development manager Stanhope, Mace will bring its construction expertise to the procurement and delivery stages of the ambitious project. At the heart of the scheme is a 100,000 sq ft (9,290 sq m) extension designed to enhance the library’s public services. The plans include new exhibition galleries, learning facilities, and events spaces, alongside more than 600,000 sq ft (55,742 sq m) of commercial space. The development has been designed by leading architects RSHP, with engineering input from Arup. Construction is expected to commence in 2026 once the detailed design process is complete and all planning conditions are met. The build programme is anticipated to take around six years. Jason Millett, chief executive of Mace Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment, describing the British Library scheme as a high-profile project of international significance. “Our long-standing experience in delivering major and complex developments places us in a strong position to ensure this transformation meets the highest standards,” he said. The redevelopment marks a significant step in the library’s ongoing evolution, aiming to deliver improved public access, better facilities for research and education, and enhanced opportunities for cultural engagement. The addition of large-scale commercial space is also expected to boost the local economy and support the long-term sustainability of the institution. With its combination of cultural ambition and commercial opportunity, the British Library’s St Pancras transformation is set to become one of London’s most significant construction projects of the decade. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Aldi ramps up expansion with weekly store openings through 2025

Aldi ramps up expansion with weekly store openings through 2025

Aldi has announced ambitious plans to open an average of one store every week for the remainder of 2025, alongside a major refurbishment programme aimed at modernising its existing estate. The German-owned discount supermarket, which has been steadily increasing its footprint in the UK, will also revamp 35 of its current stores before the end of the year. The dual strategy forms part of a £650 million nationwide investment to enhance accessibility, customer experience, and the overall quality of its retail spaces. Planned new store locations include Deeside in Wales, Market Harborough in Leicestershire, Fulham Broadway in London, Eastbourne in East Sussex, Treharris in Wales, Waterbrook in Kent, Shoreditch in London, Houghton le Spring in Tyne and Wear, Meadowfield in Durham, Litherland in Liverpool, and Brimington in Chesterfield. Jonathan Neale, managing director of national real estate at Aldi UK, said the strategy is about more than simply expanding geographically. “At Aldi, our goal is to make sure people across the UK have access to affordable, high-quality food, and opening new stores is key to making that happen. We’re now opening an average of one new store a week for the rest of 2025, showing just how ambitious our plans are to build a store network that will help us reach millions of new customers. But it’s not just about openings – it’s also about making sure we have the best-paid teams in place to run them.” The expansion drive comes amid a highly competitive grocery market, where discount retailers continue to gain market share as shoppers seek better value in the face of ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Aldi’s focus on frequent openings is expected to increase its presence in both urban and rural locations, making its low-price, quality-focused offer accessible to more communities. The refurbishment element of the programme will see older stores upgraded to meet modern retail standards, with improved layouts, updated interiors, and more energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration systems. This reflects Aldi’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and reducing operational energy consumption. With its latest investment, Aldi is positioning itself for sustained growth while reinforcing its reputation as one of the UK’s fastest-growing supermarket brands. For shoppers, the promise is clear – more stores, better facilities, and the same commitment to value that has underpinned the retailer’s success. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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What Every Construction Manager Should Know About Confined Space Rescue Regulations

What Every Construction Manager Should Know About Confined Space Rescue Regulations

Maintaining site safety is a core responsibility for the construction manager. As part of this duty, understanding the regulatory framework for confined space rescue is absolutely essential so, in this article we explore the key legal requirements, the practical implications for busy sites, and best-practice how-to steps. What Counts as a Confined Space? According to the UK’s Confined Spaces Regulations 1997, a confined space is any enclosed or partially enclosed area not designed for continuous human occupancy, where there is a foreseeable risk of serious harm such as lack of oxygen, toxic gas exposure, drowning, or explosion. Examples include tanks, silos, manholes, tunnels, sewers, boiler interiors, shafts, vaults, and basements. Key Legislation Construction Managers Must Know 1. Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 2. Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 & Management Regulations 1999 These set the wider framework requiring competent risk assessment, supervision, planning, and provision of safe systems including training, PPE, and emergency planning. Why Delegation and Preparedness Matter HSE guidance makes clear that relying on external emergency services is inadequate in confined space incidents as response times are often too slow, and access for uniformed crews may be difficult. A dedicated rescue team needs to be immediately available on‑site or nearby. Safe rescue starts well before need arises through hazard assessments, drills, equipment maintenance, and clear communication protocols. Supervisors and rescuers alike must hold appropriate certification including City & Guilds qualifications such as 6160‑03 for high‑risk spaces and 6160‑08 for rescue team members. Look for experienced training providers that offer a wide range of confined space training courses. Practical Checklist for Construction Managers Step Action Risk Assessment Identify confined spaces on your site. Use the HSE-approved Code of Practice L101 to guide assessment. Avoid Entry if Possible Wherever feasible, carry out work from outside. If entry is unavoidable, ensure it follows a robust system of work. Develop Rescue Plan Prepare rescue arrangements before entry (Regulation 5). This must include whether self-rescue, non-entry rescue, or entry rescue is viable. Appoint Competent Personnel Ensure site leaders and safety supervisor are trained in confined space oversight and rescue protocols. Ensure Equipment Readiness Confirm ventilation, atmospheric monitoring, breathing apparatus, harnesses, tripods, winches, lighting, communication tools are all functional. Train & Drill Regularly Ensure entrants, attendants and responders regularly rehearse rescue procedures. Consider mobile training units or experienced third‑party providers for practice scenarios. Audit and Review Conduct periodic reviews of confined space plans, equipment servicing, rescue performance and incident lessons. Real Consequences When Preparedness Lapses Numerous real-world incidents have underlined the danger and according to various studies, about two‑thirds of confined space fatalities occur not to the initial victim but to would-be rescuers entering without proper planning or equipment.  By contrast, companies that embed trained rescue teams, regular drills and documented rescue systems improve outcomes significantly, and reduce liability, downtime and risk exposure. Final Thought For construction managers, confined space regulations aren’t just administrative burdens, they’re life-critical frameworks. Understanding Regulations 1997 (especially Regulations 4 & 5), taking proactive steps to minimise entry, appointing competent teams, and establishing ready rescue arrangements are essential. It’s not about promotion it’s about responsibility and informed leadership. Setting a high bar for rescue readiness, training and compliant systems ensures safer worksites, fewer incidents and peace of mind when high-risk jobs arise.

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Northumbrian Water and Vyntelligence partner to achieve total asset optimisation with video intelligence

Northumbrian Water and Vyntelligence partner to achieve total asset optimisation with video intelligence

Partnership has already delivered multi million-pound savings through faster customer issue resolution, reduced ODI penalties, and smarter asset lifecycle management Vyntelligence (Vyn®), the market-leading Agentic Video Intelligence platform, today announces a major expansion of its partnership with Northumbrian Water (NWG), one of the UK’s largest holding companies for water supply, sewerage, and wastewater industries. The collaboration will scale across NWG’s North East Network operations, achieving total asset optimisation with video intelligence. This comes at a time when the UK water industry prepares for its most fundamental regulatory period in decades. The AMP8 cycle, supported by Ofwat’s £104bn investment framework, presents the water sector with the challenge to push innovation across environmental standards, water supply security, asset resilience, and customer service, all while maintaining cost efficiency and regulatory compliance. Success in this ambitious period hinges on addressing two key opportunities: people and data. The industry is facing workforce challenges from an aging population and skills shortages, plus fragmented data systems continue to force reactive rather than predictive asset management. Resolving these challenges can unlock millions in operational inefficiencies and optimise existing asset lifecycles. By incorporating Vyntelligence into its workflows, NWG will be positioned to synergise people and data, pushing innovation across the AMP8 period. Vyntelligence replaces complex data interfaces with the most natural one: video. Field teams and customers document issues, asset maintenance needs and conditions through simple “show and tell” videos. These videos are processed using Agentic AI to extract actionable insights, trigger appropriate responses, and track resolution in near real-time. Vyntelligence and NWG will work together to achieve total asset optimisation with a focus on predictive maintenance, enhanced safety protocols, and intelligent resource allocation. Together, they have already demonstrated transformative impact over the last five years, achieving multimillion-pound savings through faster customer issue resolution, reduced ODI penalties, and smarter asset lifecycle management. “Vyntelligence are a valued partner who have helped us to transform the digital capabilities used daily by our field colleagues. Vyn assists our front-line teams to easily capture high-quality information in the field through their intelligent video workflow tool. Vyn’s embedded AI converts these video workflows into insights, and combined with data in our asset management systems, it creates a deeper understanding of our work and assets. Using video to capture to produce insights in this way has enabled field teams more time to focus on delivering the work for our customers, created opportunities for more innovative ways of working, and helped to ensure the safety of our colleagues. We are looking forward to continuing our successful partnership with Vyntelligence into AMP8 and expanding the use of the platform to support our ambitious asset investment programme,” said Martin Jackson, CIO at the Northumbrian Water Group. “Our long-standing partnership with Northumbrian Water is a testament to the transformative impact of Video Intelligence in solving the critical people and data challenges facing the UK water industry. We are proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with innovators like NWG, enabling total asset optimisation, empowering frontline teams to drive smarter decisions, faster fixes, and superior outcomes for AMP8 and beyond,” said Kapil Singhal, CEO at Vyntelligence. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Safeguard materials or 'pay the price' in wake of Storm Floris

Safeguard materials or ‘pay the price’ in wake of Storm Floris

Off the back of Storm Floris, energy solutions and temperature control specialist Aggreko is urging site managers to adopt more robust dehumidification and heating strategies in the face of high-risk weather in order to minimise damage to materials. Storm Floris recently brought 90mph winds and torrential rain to the UK, posing significant disruption to operations across the north of England and Scotland.[1] Chiming with this, Aggreko’s latest report, Building in Resilience: Weather-Proofing European Construction in a Changing Climate, found that damage to materials was the top concern regarding high-risk weather among UK construction managers, with almost 40% also stating that they had faced major delays, missed deadlines, and financial penalties as a result of high-risk weather. Chris Smith, Head of Temperature Control at Aggreko, is emphasising the need for site managers to bolster their approach to dehumidification and heating in order to minimise the financial impact of both Floris and future storms. He said: “As last year’s storm season evidenced, extreme weather is becoming all the more common in the UK, though volatile supply chains and rising material costs mean that the potential financial impact is greater than ever. As such, there is a renewed need for construction managers to deploy effective dehumidification and heating solutions to minimise damage to materials and ensure that sites are able to weather the storm.” ‘Storm season’ saw a record-breaking 12 named storms hit the UK between September 2023 and August 2024,[2] with the Met Office also forecasting that winters will be up to 30% wetter by 2070.[3] More recently, a report from QBE Insurance Group, developed in collaboration with Control Risks, found that the construction sector is already facing surging material costs due to geopolitical developments, with copper, steel, aluminium, and timber all spiking, and some reaching all-time highs.[4] Chris concluded: “With material costs on the rise, site managers must do all they can to safeguard their stocks against water damage, or pay the price. Copper, steel, aluminium, and timber – as well as wider materials such as concrete and insulation – are all susceptible to the effects of water ingress and damp, so an all-encompassing dehumidification and heating strategy is key. “Bringing in solutions from a temperature control specialist can help materials to dry out quicker, allowing damage that may otherwise render them unusable to be avoided. While the worst of Storm Floris may have passed, it is certainly not the last of the UK’s wet weather, particularly as we approach the autumn and winter months, so I urge site managers to engage with these contacts ahead of time to get wet weather ready.” Read Aggreko’s full report, Building in Resilience: Weather-Proofing European Construction in a Changing Climate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Construction Sector Recovery Slows Pace, Yet Remains Steady

Construction Sector Recovery Slows Pace, Yet Remains Steady

Glenigan | Powered by Hubexo, one of the construction industry’s leading insight experts, releases the August 2025 edition of its Construction Index. The Index focuses on the three months to the end of July 2025, covering all underlying projects, with a total value of £100m or less (unless otherwise indicated), with figures 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 August Index, whilst registering a more modest increase than the July edition, is indicative of a sector which is steadily recovering lost ground. Start on site performance rose by 9% on both a quarter-by-quarter basis and compared to last year. This continued season in the sun was predominantly influenced by a consistent month-on-month increase in residential construction activity, where project starts surpassed the previous three months by 10%, up by a quarter (25%) against 2025 results. Whilst Non-residential construction starts rose 7% when measured against the preceding three months, they were down 1% on the previous year; however, this small blip wasn’t enough to resist the overall rise recorded. Commenting on the August Index, Allan Wilen, Glenigan’s Economic Director, says, “The industry will find much to be pleased about in the August Index. Despite not seeing the dramatic rises we witnessed in July, the general picture is a positive one, particularly in the residential sector, which is experiencing a spell of significantly increased activity. When taken in conjunction with the spike in commercial office starts, it suggests that private investment is returning to the market, despite persistent geopolitical uncertainty. Whilst other areas of non-residential saw mixed performance, with the exception of healthcare, more funding for energy infrastructure and water upgrades should help to lift starts in the second half of the year.” He continues, “Looking at the bigger picture, these figures support the predictions made in Glenigan’s Spring/Summer Forecast 2025, which expects the industry to grow by 3% by the end of the year, suggesting recovery is, at long last, stepping up a gear.” Sector Analysis – Residential The residential sector was, once more, the standout performer.  However, this growth (highlighted above) was solely driven by Private Housing, with starts 24% up on the previous three months, to stand 40% higher than 2024 levels. Social housing, on the other hand, which posted an increase in July’s Index, declined 33% in comparison to the preceding quarter and 24% on a year ago. Sector analysis – Non-residential Performance in the non-residential sectors was inconsistent. Office starts had a strong performance, having increased 39% in the three months to July, standing 64% up on a year ago. A key contribution factor for this impressive figure was ‘The Republic’ office development, a key part of Manchester’s Mayfield scheme, worth £98.8 million. Health projects also resurged, with projects starting on site grew 11% quarter-on-quarter to stand 20% higher than 2024 figures. While growth in hotel & leisure was more modest, it also experienced a strong period, with construction starts 2% up on the previous three months and 9% higher than last year. Education continues to struggle, despite growing 6% against the previous three months, which wasn’t enough to put the sector above 2024 levels. Finally, civil engineering work starting on-site increased 15% compared to the preceding three months but decreased 21% to the previous year. Infrastructure drove growth, rising sharply by 27%, in contrast to the more modest 1% increase in utility starts. Whilst these results are not at the levels expected post Spending Review, they highlight that pace is gradually picking up in these verticals, with the promise of more work later in Q.3 and into Q.4 2025. Regional Performance Regional performance was strong in the three months to July; however, the picture was mixed compared with last year. The West Midlands was the standout performer, rising 40% against the preceding three months to stand 79% up on the previous year. The South East also did well during the Index period, leading in value terms, growing by over a fifth (+22%) against the previous three months and 9% on a year ago. Likewise, The North West also posted strong results, with a 27% quarterly increase to stand 18% higher than last year. Not to be outdone, the East of England also saw an uplift, rising 16% against the preceding three months and 47% year-on-year, and Yorkshire registered a 10% increase compared with the previous quarter and stood 12% up on last year’s levels. Whilst London rose 13% against the preceding three months, it finished 10% down against the previous year. Similarly, performance was mixed in Northern Ireland, with the remaining regions experiencing a weak period both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter. To find out more about Glenigan and its construction intelligence services, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Savills: Strategic Confidence Returns to UK Shopping Centre Investment Market

Savills: Strategic Confidence Returns to UK Shopping Centre Investment Market

The UK shopping centre investment market is showing encouraging signs of resilience and strategic evolution, according to the latest research from Savills. After a strong 2024, which saw transaction volumes hit £2 billion — the highest annual total since 2017 and 54% above the eight-year average — 2025 has so far presented a more subdued picture. In the first half of the year, just £483 million was transacted across 11 deals, marking a 40% decline compared to the same period in 2024. However, Savills believes the fundamentals remain sound. Investor appetite for prime and super prime retail assets remains steady, and the borrowing landscape has improved significantly. Enhanced loan-to-value ratios and falling borrowing costs have made leverage increasingly attractive, helping to bolster confidence. Despite some uncertainty in the macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, Savills’ outlook for the remainder of 2025 is optimistic. More than £3.5 billion worth of high-quality shopping centre assets are either on the market or expected to become available within the next 12 months. This pipeline includes around 15 schemes, signalling a potential uptick in activity. That said, Savills notes a word of caution around possible oversupply, which could result in a few processes falling short of expectations. Mark Garmon-Jones, director of retail investment at Savills, commented: “We’re witnessing a real change in how investors approach the market. High-net-worth individuals and institutional buyers are now making more targeted acquisitions, often independent of broader market sentiment. This signals the rise of a conviction-led investment mindset, particularly in the core-plus space, and renewed appetite from US investors despite the wider global uncertainty.” Sam Arrowsmith, director of research at Savills, added: “While the first half of 2025 hasn’t matched last year’s momentum, there’s no doubt that the sector’s underlying strength remains intact. A combination of supportive debt conditions, persistent investor interest, and a robust stock pipeline suggests that the market is adjusting — not retreating. For investors ready to act strategically, the second half of the year could prove especially rewarding.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Canvas Offices unveils stylish London expansion with launch of Fetter Lane location

Canvas Offices unveils stylish London expansion with launch of Fetter Lane location

Leading flexible office space provider, Canvas Offices, has expanded its London based portfolio with the launch of a brand-new office space at 1 Fetter Lane. Positioned just off Fleet Street, the property sits at the crossroads of London’s rich legal and literary heritage and joins 16 other prime locations within the Canvas portfolio. The site has undergone a full-scale refurbishment, reimagined entirely by Canvas Offices in-house design team and their ‘homeification’ philosophy, to deliver a workspace that blends comfort, style, and flexibility. The result is a striking, design-led space spanning five floors, with 26 private offices for teams of 4 – 30. On top of this, the building also offers five meeting rooms and private phone booths. 1 Fetter Lane now stands ready to meet the demands of modern businesses when it officially opens its doors this September, whether they be start-ups, unicorns or established industry leaders. Handily located within walking distance of Chancery Lane, Holborn and the bustling energy of Farringdon, the building is particularly attractive to employees with its emphasis on natural light, and thoughtfully curated lounge, kitchen areas and wellness zone. Yaron Rosenblum, Co-founder and CEO of Canvas Offices, commented: “The opening of our offices on 1 Fetter Lane marks an exciting milestone for Canvas. This new location captures the essence of our brand – tailored, high-quality workspaces that act like a home away from home for the workforce, whilst also meeting the evolving needs of modern businesses. Our continued expansion is a testament to the ambition and dedication of our team and reinforces our position as one of London’s leading providers of flexible office space” Founded in 2018, Canvas Offices has grown to 16 prime locations across Central London including Shoreditch, Farringdon, Holborn and Mayfair. Its spaces are home to hundreds of thriving businesses, including leading brands such as Rough Trade, Patchwork, Malin+Goetz, and Augustinus Bader. For more information about Canvas Offices and its new Fetter Lane space, visit canvasoffices.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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