Contractor Clegg Construction has been appointed to deliver the Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) for the George Street hotel project in Leeds, working in partnership with Leeds City Council. A PCSA enables the early involvement of a contractor to contribute expertise during the design and planning stages. This early collaboration helps improve buildability, cost certainty, risk management, and overall project delivery. This appointment marks an exciting step forward in supporting the Council’s vision for the continued regeneration of Leeds city centre. Christian White, Pre-Construction Director at Clegg Construction Ltd, said: “We are delighted that Leeds City Council has appointed Clegg Construction to deliver PCSA services on this important project. We look forward to working collaboratively with key project stakeholders and the wider community over the coming months.” Clegg Construction has worked on a range of high-profile projects in Leeds in recent years, including the £37m Fabric Works student accommodation scheme in Leylands Road, the multi-million-pound refurbishment of Hotel Indigo Leeds, and the 11-storey build-to-rent development of Spinners Yard. The company has also recently been appointed to build a prestigious eight-storey office development on the corner of Wellington Street. Michael Sims, Managing Director at Clegg Construction Ltd, added: “Our continued presence in Leeds reflects not only the trust our clients place in us but also our dedication to creating spaces that contribute to the city’s growth and character.” Leeds City Council has welcomed the PCSA appointment, which signals progress in the development of a new hotel in George Street. Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Sustainable Development, said: “The council has a long-standing ambition to deliver a hotel on its land at George Street. The appointment of Clegg Construction represents an important step on the journey to that ambition being realised, and we look forward to working with them on a project that underlines our commitment to regeneration and economic growth.” With its head office in The Lace Market in Nottingham, Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects.   For more information visit www.cleggconstruction.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

XPE Group has announced an exciting new chapter for one of Glasgow’s best-known leisure and entertainment destinations, as XSite Braehead prepares to rebrand as GRID. The fresh identity marks the start of a £12.6 million investment programme that will transform the site into a next-generation hub for fun, fitness and family entertainment. The name GRID pays homage both to the electric buzz of its upcoming attractions and to the location’s industrial heritage as a former electricity plant. At the heart of the redevelopment will be K1 Speed, a world-class indoor e-karting venue that will feature the longest indoor race track on the planet when it opens in summer 2026. The venue promises an adrenaline-fuelled experience unlike anything else in Scotland. But GRID isn’t just about speed. The revamped destination will also welcome new family-focused offerings including a Gymnastics Academy and Heavenly Desserts, alongside convenient electric vehicle charging stations in the car park. Existing tenants are also getting in on the action, with ODEON unveiling a cutting-edge laser IMAX screen, and both Paradise Island Adventure Golf and Funstation undergoing major refurbishments to refresh their appeal. The rebrand comes as GRID joins Braehead Shopping Centre, Braehead Arena, IKEA and other local partners in the Braehead Ambition collective – a new initiative dedicated to enhancing the overall visitor experience across the wider estate. Pete Cooper, director of XPE Group, said the transformation will redefine what visitors can expect: “The launch of GRID will extend the destination’s appeal far beyond its existing catchment. Our goal is to create a space that delivers international standards with local relevance – from how our teams engage with guests to every small detail of the experience.” The investment is also set to bring significant economic benefits, creating over 200 new local jobs. Matt Beddow, senior director of asset management at Pradera Lateral, added: “2026 will be another landmark year for Braehead. Backed by substantial investment and a renewed focus on the visitor experience, GRID represents the next exciting chapter for this much-loved destination.” With its combination of high-energy attractions, family-friendly offers and strong community ties, GRID is gearing up to take pole position as the region’s premier leisure hotspot. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Edinburgh’s first purpose-built concert hall in more than a century is moving from drawings to delivery, with Balfour Beatty appointed on a £162m contract to build the 1,000-seat Dunard Centre behind St Andrew Square. Main construction begins in the coming weeks, with completion expected in 2029 and a workforce peaking at around 200. Commissioned by the charity Impact Scotland, the venue has been designed by David Chipperfield Architects with Reiach & Hall Architects, and world-leading acousticians Nagata Associates. It will be the UK’s first concert venue to feature Nagata’s acoustic design, pairing musical precision with a contemporary civic presence. The five-storey steel-framed building will be wrapped in a façade of pre-cast concrete panels. Inside, bespoke solid oak panelling will tune the main hall’s acoustics, while a complex in-situ concrete double basement provides back-of-house facilities, including changing rooms and storage. A café, bar and flexible multipurpose spaces broaden the offer, creating a cultural hub that can host everything from orchestral performances to workshops and community events. Balfour Beatty comes to site after an 18-month early contractor involvement phase, working alongside Impact Scotland and the design and engineering team to refine the methodology, sequencing and buildability for a tightly constrained city-centre plot. The contractor will deploy 4D planning to coordinate logistics, reduce disruption around St Andrew Square and protect the programme’s critical path. Nick Rowan, managing director of Balfour Beatty’s regional business in Scotland, said: “We are proud to be entrusted with delivering what will become a nationally significant cultural venue in the heart of Edinburgh and have worked meticulously to plan every stage of this complex build, from construction logistics in a tightly constrained site, to the precision needed to achieve world-class acoustic performance. Our focus now is on safe, efficient and high-quality delivery, working closely with our local supply chain while creating meaningful jobs, apprenticeships and skills opportunities throughout the programme.” The Dunard Centre is supported through the Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Region Deal, with £10m each from the Scottish and UK governments and £5m from the City of Edinburgh Council. Impact Scotland has also raised more than £100m from private philanthropy, a record for a cultural capital project in Scotland. “Ambitious projects like this really do only come about once in a century,” said Ronnie Bowie, chair of Impact Scotland. “Signing this contract with Balfour Beatty is another celebratory step towards making our vision a reality… a ‘Hall for All’ that offers something for everyone.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Freehold drive thru acquisition offers secure income and future rental uplift The RO Group is delighted to announce that it has acquired the freehold Burger King drive thru on Sweet Briar Road, Norwich, for £1.2million. The property is let to BKUK Flame Ltd, a major UK Burger King franchisee, on a long lease providing secure income and attractive reversionary potential. The 1,800 sq. ft. restaurant, which includes both drive thru and dine-in facilities, is let on a 15-year full repairing and insuring lease from May 2021, with over 10 years unexpired. The current passing rent is £65,000 per annum, subject to five-yearly upward-only open market rent reviews, with the next review due in May 2026. Rents for comparable drive thru assets have risen sharply in recent years, underlining the property’s future growth potential. Situated on the busy A140 outer ring road to the northwest of Norwich city centre, the property occupies a highly prominent trading location adjacent to a Shell petrol station, ASDA Express, and Starbucks, and directly opposite Sweet Briar Retail Park, home to leading retailers including M&S Simply Food, Currys and Costa Coffee. The 1,800 sq. ft. fast-food restaurant, which provides both drive thru and dine-in facilities, also benefits from 15 dedicated car parking spaces. Norwich is the largest city in East Anglia and its retail and administrative centre, with a growing population, a strong student base across two universities, and excellent connectivity to London and Cambridge. Burger King is one of the world’s largest fast food chains, with more than 19,000 outlets globally. Its UK franchisee, BKUK Flame Ltd, is part of Kout Food Group K.S.C.C., which also operates brands such as Pizza Hut, Subway and Taco Bell. Nick Cashmore, Investment Director, RO Real Estate, commented: “We are very pleased to have added this Burger King drive thru investment to our portfolio. The property is situated in a prime trading location with 32,000 vehicles passing daily and let to an excellent covenant offering attractive reversionary potential in 2026 given the low historic passing rent. As we seek to grow our roadside portfolio this is exactly the type of drive thru asset that we will continue to target in addition to acquiring sites to develop out ourselves”. The RO was advised by GCW and Womble Bond Dickinson. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

SGS UK Retail has announced that SuperPark, the global indoor leisure and recreation concept, is to make its UK debut at Braehead Shopping Centre, Scotland’s premium retail and leisure destination. SuperPark will open a 30,000 sq ft space early next year, adding a significant new experience-led anchor to further diversify the centre’s offer and appeal to consumers. Founded in Finland, SuperPark operates in 26 parks worldwide across Finland, the Middle East, Asia and Australia, attracting millions of visitors annually.  Its landmark signing at Braehead is a significant step in the next stage of its global expansion. SuperPark’s ethos is centred on delivering an innovative, family-friendly approach to fitness and recreation.  At Braehead, it will offer visitors an activity wonderland with 40 attractions, including adventure challenges, sporting games, and freestyle activities – creating an immersive, joyful play experience that will excite and unite audiences of all ages. The significant investment from SuperPark reinforces Braehead’s reputation for innovation and diversity of offer, underpinned by its ability to attract brands seeking to deliver scalable, experience-led concepts to a large and loyal catchment.  It is also the first major signing since the announcement of Braehead Ambition in the summer.  The initiative has brought together the asset management, leasing, operational and marketing of Braehead Shopping Centre, Braehead Arena and Xsite to create a critical mass of retail, leisure and entertainment unmatched in Scotland. Huw Kmiot, Associate Director of Asset Management at Pradera Lateral, commented: “The arrival of SuperPark is a major milestone for Braehead, reflecting both its strong trading performance and the continued confidence brands have that they will out-perform here.  SuperPark’s debut at Braehead underlines the destination’s reputation as a place that delivers results and actively responds to growing consumer demand for immersive, experience-led leisure.” Jonathan Doherty, Director of SuperPark UK, commented “Our choice of Braehead Shopping Centre to begin our UK roll-out is very deliberate.  The centre already plays a broad role in consumer’s lives and enjoys very strong loyalty, and yet there is demand for even more experience-led concepts.  This combination of consumer desire and consistently strong footfall are the ideal dynamics for our debut.  We have the perfect space in the perfect place, and are excited that SuperPark is about to make its mark in the UK.” The signing of SuperPark follows the news that Braehead has welcomed more visitors through its doors in the year ending June 2025 than ever before, with footfall and spend up by 3% and 4% year-on-year respectively, outperforming the regional benchmark, with the Scottish Retail-Consortium-KPMG reporting a 12 month average climb in sales of 0.1% .  The strong growth follows sustained commitment from existing occupiers, with 16 brands renewing or extending their leases so far in 2025. Braehead is asset managed by Pradera Lateral, and its leasing agents are Lunson Mitchenall and Savills.  SuperPark was represented by Savills. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

An upgrade to a premier athletics and football venue in Crewe has taken a major leap forward. The improvement scheme at the town’s Cumberland Arena is a step nearer the finishing line after the steel frame structure for a new two-storey building was erected. The building will house three multi-functional studio spaces, a balcony and covered seating for spectators and a new reception area. Included in the scheme will be additional parking spaces, EV charging points, improved access for pedestrians and cyclists, and bike shelters. Salford-based MC Construction is the main contractor for the redevelopment, working alongside professionals including building surveyor David Trowler Associates, structural engineer ABA Consulting, and mechanical and electrical engineer Crookes Walker Consulting. The project is being led by Cheshire East Council and Everybody Health and Leisure, the borough’s leisure trust. It is supported by the government’s Towns Fund allocation to Crewe. It is part of Cheshire East Council’s strategy to offer enhanced health and wellbeing opportunities for Crewe residents and encourage more people to take up physical activity. The studios will be open seven days a week for dance classes, Pilates, yoga and other activities, as well as for programmes and events involving educational, social and community groups. The new building has been designed to support Cheshire East’s environmental ambitions and will feature LED lighting, solar panels on the roof and air source heat pumps. There will also be an external living wall. Work began earlier this year with the demolition of an existing building. Following the installation of the steel frame, the next phase of works will involve completing the structure with concrete flooring, a brick finish to the ground floor exterior and cladding for the first-floor exterior. After that, the building will be fitted out. The project is scheduled for completion next spring. The Cumberland Arena is used by Crewe and Nantwich Athletics Club and other local running clubs including Sandbach Striders, Alsager Runners, South Cheshire Harriers and Congleton Harriers. Several local football clubs train or play home games on the arena’s 3G artificial grass pitch. Changing rooms for people using those facilities remain in use in a single-storey building next to the new structure. Russ Forshaw, managing director of MC Construction, said: “Working once again alongside our longstanding client Cheshire East Council, we are proud to be the main contractor to carry out this important upgrade to Cumberland Arena. “The project will deliver greatly improved facilities for the area and aims to inspire more people to take up physical activity, in line with the council’s commitment to providing enhanced health and wellbeing opportunities. “Alongside this, the design will support the council’s aims to become carbon neutral, with a number of significant environmental features. “We look forward to delivering the scheme next spring and seeing the new facilities becoming a popular addition to the Cumberland Arena.” Tony Davison, chair of Crewe Town Board, said: “The upgrade of Crewe’s Cumberland Arena is going to be hugely beneficial to so many people and clubs in the town and I am delighted that we have managed to utilise the government’s Town Fund allocation for this work. “I’m very excited to see how this very inclusive facility is going to be received when it opens next spring.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction is under way on Cardiff Arena, a £300m, 16,500-capacity venue that will anchor the Atlantic Wharf regeneration in Cardiff Bay. McLaren Construction, appointed earlier this year as main contractor, has commenced works on the Populous-designed scheme, which is targeting opening in 2028. Brought forward by Cardiff Council with a consortium of Live Nation and Robertson Property, the project pairs an events-led anchor with a mixed-use masterplan of food and leisure space, a cultural centre, public square, four-star hotel, offices and up to 1,100 new homes. The intent is to stitch the waterfront’s industrial heritage to a contemporary entertainment and neighbourhood offer. Externally, the architectural language nods to Cardiff Bay’s iron-trade past. Patinated, corrugated panelling will wrap the façade, contrasted by a matte-gold aluminium soffit. The south elevation, addressing arriving visitors, introduces extensive glazing, a large-format LED screen and a distinctive “swoop” gesture, while additional glazing to the east and west references the rolling topography of South Wales. Inside, Jump Studios, a Populous company, is delivering the interior design. The seating bowl has been engineered to be compact, reducing the building footprint and bringing spectators closer to the stage with optimised sightlines. A notable departure from many arenas is the decision not to segregate hospitality seating from general admission, aiming to preserve a unified atmosphere across the audience. For the construction and property teams involved, the project’s complexity lies in threading a major performance venue into a live urban regeneration site, sequencing public-realm delivery with venue build, and coordinating specialist packages around the bowl geometry, long spans and acoustic performance. The venue’s public-facing elevations and LED integration also demand tight interface management between façade, MEP and digital systems. Populous senior principal Declan Sharkey said: “We are delighted to continue our longstanding relationship with Live Nation on this project to create this new, world-class arena for Cardiff. Live Nation has a truly inspiring vision for the future of the music and entertainment industry, focused on the creation of sustainable venues that are authentic to the communities they sit within, and those values are exemplified within the Cardiff Arena project. Our design will deliver an elite arena that will become the venue of choice for the South Wales region, for both spectators and performers alike. We are extremely excited to see it come to fruition and witness the transformative effect it will have on the surrounding area as part of Cardiff Council’s ambitious masterplan for Atlantic Wharf.” With ground broken and the delivery team mobilised, Cardiff Arena now moves from design intent to build phase, set to become a high-profile cultural and economic catalyst for the Bay when doors open in 2028. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Staycity Group is set to bring its boutique Wilde Aparthotel brand to Blackfriars Road, confirming plans for a 25-storey scheme a minute from Southwark Underground station. The site at 203–208 Blackfriars Road, acquired from Swiss Life Asset Management (with JLL advising the seller), will be developed by Citygrove and designed by EPR Architects. Subject to planning, ground works are slated to begin in June 2027 with completion targeted for March 2030. Conceived as an urban hub for short and extended stays, the tower will comprise a mix of studio and one-bed serviced apartments, each with fully equipped kitchens. A lounge, café-bar, retail unit and co-working space are planned across the ground floor and mezzanine, aiming to create an activated street presence along the Blackfriars corridor. The move deepens Wilde’s footprint in the capital, joining existing locations in Aldgate, Covent Garden, Liverpool Street and Paddington, with an additional WC1 project in the pipeline. It also follows Staycity’s purchase of Wyvil Court in Vauxhall, taking the company’s central London development pipeline to five sites with a combined GDV of more than £800m. Andrew Fowler, Staycity’s chief development officer, called the Southwark acquisition a milestone for the group. “This is another milestone acquisition for our central London pipeline, bringing in-house development to five London sites with a combined GDV of over £800m as we focus on larger, prime projects. It also marks a strategic entry into Southwark, one of London’s fastest-developing central boroughs.” The Blackfriars Road address places future guests within easy reach of the South Bank and some of London’s best-known cultural draws, including Tate Modern, the National Theatre, Borough Market, the London Eye and Shakespeare’s Globe. Staycity currently operates around 6,500 aparthotel rooms and reports a contracted pipeline of more than 4,500 additional rooms, signing roughly 2,000 keys a year across Europe for its Staycity Aparthotels and Wilde brands. The Southwark project is intended to showcase Wilde’s design-led positioning, with bespoke interiors and flexible spaces tailored to both leisure and business travellers. By combining a prime Zone 1 location with long-stay amenities and ground-floor activation, the scheme underlines Staycity’s confidence in London’s hospitality market and its strategy of concentrating capital on larger, centrally located developments. Subject to approvals, Wilde Blackfriars would arrive in early 2030 as one of the brand’s flagship properties in the city. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Costa Coffee has chosen Colliers as estates management partner for its UK portfolio in a five-year agreement that covers more than 1,600 sites nationwide. Under the partnership, Colliers will deliver an integrated suite of services spanning property management, lease administration, data analytics, finance, technology, professional advisory and agency support. The remit is designed to give Costa a single, joined-up view of its estate while tightening execution on day-to-day operations and future growth. Founded in London over 50 years ago, Costa continues to expand both at home and internationally. Colliers’ brief will be to ensure the brand’s property strategy evolves in step with that growth agenda, aligning decisions on leases, refurbishments and new openings with performance data across the network. Simon Armitage, head of UK enterprise client operations at Colliers, said: “We are delighted to be working with Costa Coffee as they continue to grow their presence across the UK. It’s a well-known and well-loved brand and supporting a portfolio of this scale brings exciting opportunities. Our focus will be on consistency, responsiveness and clarity, ensuring Costa Coffee has the support it needs to deliver its property strategy.” From Costa’s side, the emphasis is on using the partnership to underpin an active development pipeline and maintain pace as consumer demand shifts. Nick Ridley, property and store development director at Costa Coffee, said: “Costa Coffee has an exciting pipeline of growth ahead as we continue to expand our presence across the UK. Our property strategy plays a vital role in helping us bring great coffee experiences to more customers, in more places. We’re delighted to be working with Colliers as we take the next step in developing and supporting our estate.” The arrangement brings together operational rigour and advisory expertise across a large and varied footprint that includes high streets, retail parks, travel hubs and drive-thru locations. By consolidating estates management and strengthening data flows, Costa aims to sharpen decision-making on rent reviews and renewals, streamline compliance, and target capital where it delivers the greatest customer and commercial impact. For Colliers, the mandate adds a sizeable consumer brand to its enterprise client roster and underscores the advisory firm’s focus on technology-enabled property services. The team will look to standardise processes across Costa’s network while building in the agility required to respond quickly to market opportunities. With the UK coffee market remaining competitive and location-sensitive, both organisations frame the partnership as a way to sustain momentum: Costa through disciplined expansion and estate optimisation, and Colliers through delivering measurable efficiencies and clear lines of accountability over the next five years. 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