Commenting the Chancellor’s new willingness to ‘fight for growth’, Daniel Austin – CEO of property investment firm ASK Partners, said: “The Chancellor has promised a review of government guidance on building major projects to support investments outside of the wealthy and productive south-east of England. With a political shifting of
With a large million-pound investment Selkent, a leading UK supplier of construction fixings and tools, increases its customer fulfilment capacity with the opening of a brand-new warehouse in Sittingbourne, UK. Officially opened by local MP Kevin McKenna, the facility currently has 34 employees with an additional eight roles being recruited for
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the Government’s plans to deliver new homes and national infrastructure. The Chancellor of the Exchequer made the announcement in a speech today in Oxfordshire. Muyiwa Oki, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, said: “The Government’s focus on delivering
Façade specialist Alsecco has appointed a new technical design and support specialist to further enhance its support for both offsite and traditional construction projects. Nick Barrett brings extensive experience of offsite construction to the role having previously worked at TopHat Modular. With a background in construction design and offsite manufacturing,
MAG (Manchester Airports Group) which owns and operates East Midlands Airport (EMA) is pleased to announce Prologis, the leading logistics property owner, developer and investor, as its partner to take forward the development of a new industrial logistics and advanced manufacturing park near EMA. The new park is a designated
Bouygues UK is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the fourth phase of the Hallsville Quarter regeneration project in Canning Town, London. The project, part of the £3.7 billion Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Programme, recently held a topping out ceremony to mark reaching the highest point of
Specialist land development and property consultancy Mather Jamie, in partnership with Howkins & Harrison, has successfully brokered the sale of a 25-acre site in Bulkington, Warwickshire. Acting as joint agents on the sale, Howkins & Harrison represented the landowners, while Mather Jamie was instructed by Tarmac, the land promoter. The
OPEN NOW: Chicken Fans queued overnight at new East Kilbride drive-thru for the Chicken Sandwich that ‘broke the internet’ On Monday 27th January Popeyes® UK, the home of Famous Louisiana Chicken, opened the doors to its fourth greater Glasgow restaurant at Nerston, East Kilbride, with people queuing for 11 hours
WHSmith has confirmed it is considering strategic options for its high street business, including a potential sale, as the retailer sharpens its focus on its expanding global travel division. The company, which operates around 500 high street stores across the UK, has seen its travel arm grow significantly, now contributing
Finning UK & Ireland, the world’s largest dealer of Cat® power solutions, is supporting Mercia Power Response with over 100 reciprocating gas-powered generators that feed directly into the national grid, enabling the use of renewable electricity by covering fluctuations in its supply. The government’s Net Zero 2050 target is driving a
Commenting the Chancellor’s new willingness to ‘fight for growth’, Daniel Austin – CEO of property investment firm ASK Partners, said: “The Chancellor has promised a review of government guidance on building major projects to support investments outside of the wealthy and productive south-east of England. With a political shifting of gears globally spearheaded by the US, the UK Government has said it is prioritising delivering growth at any cost, with major infrastructure projects having a key role to play. While the growth-focused approach is welcomed, pursuing large-scale infrastructure projects at any cost risks an excess of borrowing, leading to stubborn inflation and sticky interest rates. These factors will leave the industry questioning the financial viability and delivery of these projects. “Further, a critical issue remains overlooked: cripplingly high construction costs severely limit the number of projects that can be completed. If construction projects continue to stall due to steep costs and an imbalance between delivery expenses and expected sales, land will increasingly lose its appeal for builders and investors, further exacerbating the project delivery crisis. “The rise in construction costs is as damaging to project delivery as fluctuating market sentiment and rising interest rates. To address this, the government must consider the broader impact of rising costs on the entire market. A holistic approach is needed and one that ensures financial viability across small, medium, and large-scale developments. One solution would be targeted financial support for the building sector, which could help make construction manageable again. By tackling this issue head-on, the UK can reinvigorate its construction sector and work towards a sustainable boost to robust economic growth via the country’s promising infrastructure potential.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With a large million-pound investment Selkent, a leading UK supplier of construction fixings and tools, increases its customer fulfilment capacity with the opening of a brand-new warehouse in Sittingbourne, UK. Officially opened by local MP Kevin McKenna, the facility currently has 34 employees with an additional eight roles being recruited for within the local area. As part of the company’s wider growth plans, the new warehouse is accompanied by an office move to Orpington, offering easier commute to its employees and better links between the office and its new Kent-based warehouse. The new warehouse will form a central base for its upgraded delivery fleet operations, using entirely electric vehicles that utilise a new fleet management system, the Podfather. Integrated with the company’s back-office systems, the fleet management software helps to improve the efficiency of dispatch, ensure cost effective and resource efficient delivery management, and support the move towards paperless working. With improved efficiencies the warehouse will enhance the company’s on-site delivery service, helping customers overcome challenges, such as rising costs and supply chain issues, and meet project demands. Founder of Selkent, Julian Bushnell, said: “The new warehouse facility is key to our plans for company growth, enhanced customer fulfilment, and ever-improving sustainable operations. With a focus on delivering construction supplies to projects across the country, the new warehouse in Sittingbourne will act as a hub for our operations and we hope that our facility will provide increased business and careers in the local community for years to come.” Local Sittingbourne MP, Kevin McKenna, said: “The investment into the local economy and resulting employment opportunities is hugely beneficial for Sittingbourne. With ambitious plans to grow the team at the new warehouse, Selkent is leading by example to help improve sustainable operations within the construction industry as well as support their local community through increased business opportunities and employment.” To find out more about Selkent and its latest news, visit https://www.selkent.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the Government’s plans to deliver new homes and national infrastructure. The Chancellor of the Exchequer made the announcement in a speech today in Oxfordshire. Muyiwa Oki, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, said: “The Government’s focus on delivering new homes and national infrastructure is great news – these are essential drivers for economic growth and moves to unlock land near transport hubs can be transformative. We need vibrant, well-connected neighbourhoods with everything from accessible transport to green space and bustling local centres. But quality matters when creating new developments. Architecture plays a crucial role in ensuring that new places are sustainable, liveable and fit for the future. We remain ready to work with government to meet this challenge head on. We look forward to seeing more detail in the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Façade specialist Alsecco has appointed a new technical design and support specialist to further enhance its support for both offsite and traditional construction projects. Nick Barrett brings extensive experience of offsite construction to the role having previously worked at TopHat Modular. With a background in construction design and offsite manufacturing, he brings an in-depth understanding of innovation and efficiency to offsite construction. Alsecco, a leading manufacturer of external wall insulation and brick slip systems, has appointed Nick to work within its technical team to develop new façade offerings and provide bespoke support for developing projects. Nick will take a key role in overseeing and delivering CPD events to support technical understanding of external wall insulation and façade systems for architects, design managers and contractors. Ben Robinson, Technical Manager at Alsecco, said: “Nick brings not only a wealth of knowledge around all construction aspects to the business, but a forward-looking view on integrated technologies for construction products and a high degree of problem-solving skills. “Nick will assist in developing new façade offerings within the range and offer enhanced bespoke support for clients’ projects. “Having the right technical support for facades projects is essential to accurate specification and installation and we are delighted to have someone with Nick’s skillset on board that will both complement and expand our commitment to developing systems that directly meet the design, vision and needs of developers and architects.” Alsecco is a leading manufacturer of external wall insulation systems, specialising in render, brick and ceramic finishes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MAG (Manchester Airports Group) which owns and operates East Midlands Airport (EMA) is pleased to announce Prologis, the leading logistics property owner, developer and investor, as its partner to take forward the development of a new industrial logistics and advanced manufacturing park near EMA. The new park is a designated East Midlands Freeport tax site which will stimulate economic growth, investment and employment in the region, helping to unlock $1.3bn (£1bn) of investment in and around the airport. It will contribute to a corridor of innovation around MAG’s airports across the North, Midlands and South East England in key growth-driving sectors including life sciences and advanced manufacturing. The development site, south of the airport, will offer operators the option of various tax and customs relief and simplified import / export procedures. A Sustainable Development Supporting Growth A planning application for the new park has been submitted to North West Leicestershire District Council, which, if approved, will bring up to 2,000 new jobs, £132m of economic growth per year (GVA) to the East Midlands, whilst contributing £9m of additional business rates. As part of the partnership, Prologis will also deliver a dedicated centre for logistics job training and education in Leicestershire. The centre will host the Prologis Warehousing and Logistics Training programme – providing local people with the skills and experiences needed to begin and progress their career in logistics. The new park will incorporate industry-leading standards of sustainability in its design, construction, and management. During construction, embodied carbon will be measured, reduced and mitigated aligned with the UKGBC net-zero carbon framework. In operation, the buildings at the park will have a net-zero regulated energy use in line with an EPC A+ rating. Unrivalled Connectivity & Air Cargo Operations EMA’s strategic central location, excellent motorway connectivity and unmatched operational capabilities position it as the UK’s number one airport for express freight. The airport is advancing plans to scale its cargo operations to meet rising demands, with Prologis research forecasting double-digit growth in air cargo volumes by 2025[1] and EMA’s predicted to grow by 54% to 2043[2]. EMA has already demonstrated how airports are catalysts of growth, with its unrivalled cargo operation attracting complementary investment across the East Midlands Freeport area and clusters of advanced manufacturers nearby. It connects key businesses in the region in the aeronautical, automotive, retail, pharmaceutical and logistics sectors to the world’s major cities. MAG is looking to work in partnership with Prologis to establish its three major airports as economic anchors within a growing corridor of innovation across the North, Midlands and South East England. This will stimulate key economic sectors identified in the Government’s Industrial Strategy such as life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Prologis has developed logistic parks at some of the world’s largest international airports including London, Amsterdam and New York. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “Economic growth is the number mission of our Plan for Change to raise living standards in every part of the country. “This investment in East Midlands Freeport is a clear demonstration of the UK’s strength as a hub for innovation, will create thousands of new jobs driving growth in the region and strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in advanced manufacturing and logistics. Together we are kick starting our economy, driving growth and getting more money in people’s pockets.” EMA’s Managing Director Steve Griffiths said: “I’m delighted to announce Prologis as our global development partner and excited by the prospect of unlocking significant investments in East Midlands Freeport for the region. This is an exciting step forward for growth in and around the airport, as our unrivalled cargo operation continues to act as a catalyst for investment in our region and we look at ways to build on its success.” Paul Weston, Regional Head, Prologis UK said: “Our partnership with MAG aims to realise the full potential of this strategic hub for international logistics. “Our shared vision is to leverage the Freeport status and central location of EMA to create a high-impact gateway that drives economic growth, innovation and employment opportunities across the Midlands. By bringing our expertise in logistics developments to the table, we are confident that our partnership will unlock significant benefits for both the local community and the broader UK economy.” Tom Newman-Taylor, CEO of East Midlands Freeport said: “We welcome this announcement and Prologis’ commitment to East Midlands Freeport and this unique opportunity to drive transformative growth in the region. This is a positive first step in realising the full potential of the Freeport’s tax sites which, when fully developed, will be transformative for the East Midlands economy. Working collaboratively with all our partners we can realise our ambition of creating 20,000 jobs and unlocking billions of public and private investment into the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bouygues UK is thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the fourth phase of the Hallsville Quarter regeneration project in Canning Town, London. The project, part of the £3.7 billion Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Programme, recently held a topping out ceremony to mark reaching the highest point of the 11-storey development, well ahead of its expected completion in summer 2026. This phase of Hallsville Quarter, developed in a joint venture between Crosstree Real Estate Partners and Bouygues UK’s development arm, is set to become a vibrant home for London students. The purpose-built student accommodation, designed by PRP Architects with interiors by Holloway Li, will feature 375 state-of-the-art student rooms, modern amenities, a roof terrace, and a beautifully landscaped public realm. Bouygues UK, as the developer and main contractor, is committed to a low-carbon, sustainable approach, aiming for BREEAM Excellent certification, and is incorporating features such as fully pre-fabricated bathrooms and self-delivering the building’s concrete frame and internal finishes. Oliver Campbell, Managing Director of Bouygues UK’s development arm, said at the event, “We are proud to have reached this topping out milestone, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. This phase of the Hallsville Quarter regeneration represents a significant step forward in creating a dynamic and sustainable living environment for students. The location of this development, in the thriving new town centre in Canning Town, will offer students a vibrant area to live in with excellent links into the centre of London.” Phillippe Bernard, the newly appointed CEO of Bouygues UK, added, “It’s impressive to see how much has been achieved across the Hallsville Quarter regeneration project. This milestone not only represents significant progress but also highlights our commitment to creating sustainable and thriving communities.” The topping out ceremony marks a major achievement in the penultimate stage of the £600 million Hallsville Quarter Masterplan, which upon completion, will offer over 1,100 private and affordable homes, more than 30,000 square meters of leisure and retail space, and a new hotel. Conveniently located opposite Canning Town underground station, the development will also feature new public spaces, pedestrian links, cyclist provisions, and secure parking facilities. Bouygues UK and Morgan Sindall chair a Construction Working Group for the borough, meeting quarterly to discuss best practices on social value. Bouygues UK works closely with local schools on various initiatives such as CV writing workshops, mock interviews, and volunteering in the local community. The project is offering 10 weeks of work experience opportunities with local schools, two paid placements for UEL engineering master’s students, and provisions for 12 apprenticeships starting this year. Additional initiatives include a half-day course for 20 local people in collaboration with Newham Works. The topping out ceremony is a proud moment in the Hallsville Quarter project, symbolising progress and the promise of an exciting future for Canning Town’s urban landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Specialist land development and property consultancy Mather Jamie, in partnership with Howkins & Harrison, has successfully brokered the sale of a 25-acre site in Bulkington, Warwickshire. Acting as joint agents on the sale, Howkins & Harrison represented the landowners, while Mather Jamie was instructed by Tarmac, the land promoter. The development, located on Lancing Road, with access from Nuneaton Road and Bramcote Close has outline planning permission for 230 new homes and was acquired by leading residential developer Taylor Wimpey. Commenting on the sale on behalf of Mather Jamie, Associate Director, Karla Williams said “We’re thrilled to see this project take shape. Bulkington’s prime location near the M69 and M6 offers excellent transport links to Coventry and Leicester, making it a highly attractive option for future homeowners. Jeff Paybody from Howkins & Harrison added “Bulkington is a vibrant village with a community of over 6,000 residents and a range of established amenities. Adding quality housing here will not only enhance the local economy but also make the village an even more appealing destination for new homeowners.” A spokesperson from Taylor Wimpey said “We’re passionate about creating homes that meet real community needs. This project gives us the chance to provide essential housing in this part of Warwickshire. The Reserved Matters application has been submitted and we are looking forward to seeing our plans come to fruition.” Taylor Wimpey plc, one of the UK’s largest homebuilders, constructs over 15,000 high-quality homes across the country each year, committed to providing sustainable, community-focused developments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
OPEN NOW: Chicken Fans queued overnight at new East Kilbride drive-thru for the Chicken Sandwich that ‘broke the internet’ On Monday 27th January Popeyes® UK, the home of Famous Louisiana Chicken, opened the doors to its fourth greater Glasgow restaurant at Nerston, East Kilbride, with people queuing for 11 hours to get hold of the Chicken Sandwich which ‘broke the internet’. Banishing any January blues, the restaurant officially opened at 11am on Monday 27th January, with people queuing overnight. Tobey Ladds was the first to arrive on foot, while Reiss Blackhall was the first in the drive-thru line, both eager to be the very first to try the legendary Chicken Sandwich. In true Popeyes® UK fashion, the brand brought its signature New Orleans energy and hospitality, treating chicken fans to hundreds of free Chicken Sandwiches and Popeyes® UK merchandise as well as keeping the crowds entertained with lively music. Having tried Popeyes® once before and loving it, Tobey Laddsarrived at 12am with hot water bottles in tow to keep him warm whilst he secured his spot, saying: “I love Popeyes and it was so worth waiting outside for this- I arrived here at 12am last night. I remember the last time I was at the Glasgow store; it was absolutely brilliant!” Tom Crowley, CEO at Popeyes® UK, said: “Opening the fourth restaurant in Greater Glasgow is a special moment for us. The response to our previous site openings in the west of Scotland, including the newly opened Braehead, have showed there’s a real appetite for the authentic Louisiana flavours we bring.” Now the sixth Popeyes® UK in Scotland, the East Kilbride drive-thru will serve the full Popeyes® menu. The line-up includes fan favourites like the iconic Popeyes® Chicken Sandwich, Wings, Tenders and Signature Chicken Wraps. Each piece of Popeyes® famous chicken is marinated for 12 hours in a signature blend of Louisiana herbs and spices, then hand-breaded and battered for that world-famous ‘shatter crunch,’ and complemented by delicious sides like its Southern Biscuits and Cajun Gravy. Popeyes® will also be serving up its breakfast menu from 8am to 11am. Packed with British breakfast classics with a New Orleans twist, the menu features the Big Cajun Roll, Cajun Hash Browns, and indulgent Nutella-topped buttermilk biscuits. The new restaurant will be located in Nerston, East Kilbride and will bring over 80 new jobs to the local area. To find out more about Popeyes® UK East Kilbride, visit the website https://popeyesuk.com/restaurants/east-kilbride or follow the brand on Instagram at @PopeyesUK or TikTok at @popeyesuk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
WHSmith has confirmed it is considering strategic options for its high street business, including a potential sale, as the retailer sharpens its focus on its expanding global travel division. The company, which operates around 500 high street stores across the UK, has seen its travel arm grow significantly, now contributing 85% of its trading profit. In contrast, its high street stores remain centred around books, stationery, and greeting cards. Reports suggest that WHSmith has engaged investment bankers at Greenhill to oversee the sales process, with discussions already underway with potential buyers. A deal could be finalised in the coming months. Last year, WHSmith’s high street business generated an operating profit of £32 million, though the company has been restructuring its portfolio, recently announcing the closure of 17 stores. While a sale is under consideration, WHSmith has stated that no final decision has been made, and further updates will be provided in due course. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Finning UK & Ireland, the world’s largest dealer of Cat® power solutions, is supporting Mercia Power Response with over 100 reciprocating gas-powered generators that feed directly into the national grid, enabling the use of renewable electricity by covering fluctuations in its supply. The government’s Net Zero 2050 target is driving a transition to renewable sources like wind and solar power, but the intermittent nature of renewables creates challenges in ensuring a consistent, reliable supply of electricity. This means that flexible, on-demand energy is essential to the energy transition, and one company delivering these flexible power services is Mercia Power Response. It currently owns or operates 275MW on 42 sites, operating gas-fuel generators and battery storage facilities to ensure continuous power supply to local communities. Daniel Newman-Smith, Customer Account Manager, at Finning UK & Ireland describes the problem Mercia exists to solve: “Mercia is helping to ensure that the UK can move to lower carbon power infrastructure, and that we all still have power when the sun isn’t shining, and the wind isn’t blowing. They need generators that can be called upon as needs change, feeding the required power directly into the local grid and avoiding the need for long warm-up and cool-down times that more traditional methods of balancing the grid require.” The Mercia Power Response electricity generation facility at Mitchells Industrial Park in Barnsley has the capacity to respond quickly to prevent a ‘lights out’ scenario. Following a longstanding relationship which spans over five years, Finning has supplied over 100 generators to the various sites owned by Mercia Power and provides a long-term repair and maintenance package to offer complete peace of mind. Graham White, Managing Director at Mercia Power Response, explains why the Cat generators were chosen and how Finning tailored the solution for the site’s particular needs: “The Cat CG170 range of generators have the reliability, quick response and operational flexibility we needed, and the team at Finning was flexible and adaptable to suit our needs. They adjusted the standard Cat product to run more effectively by reducing the system’s operating power loads, and still maintaining the systems electrical efficiency. “The system can get up to full power in just a couple of minutes, in response to surges in demand or drop-offs in power coming from other sources. This flexible response is essential in managing the transition to a greener grid and it is important that these generators can also run on low carbon alternative fuels including biogas and hydrogen blends.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
