Robertson Construction North East has been appointed to deliver a new cinema and leisure complex in Ashington, marking a major step forward in the £36 million transformation of the Northumberland town centre. The design and build project, located at Portland Park, will see the development of a five-screen cinema alongside a mix of complementary leisure uses. The scheme includes space for two restaurants and a family-focused ‘competitive socialising’ venue, reflecting a growing trend towards experience-led town centre regeneration. Planning approval for the development was secured last year, with construction now set to begin in the coming months. The project is being delivered by Advance Northumberland on behalf of Northumberland County Council and has been procured via the Procure Partnerships Framework. Once complete, the cinema will be operated by independent operator REEL Cinemas and will serve as the only ‘first run’ cinema between Edinburgh and Blyth. The venue is expected to attract between 125,000 and 157,000 visitors annually, significantly boosting footfall and supporting the town’s wider economic recovery. The development forms part of a broader strategy to reposition Ashington town centre as a vibrant destination for leisure, dining and social activity. By extending activity into the evening and weekend economy, the scheme aims to increase dwell time and encourage greater local spending. Neil Kennedy, regional managing director at Robertson Construction North East, said the project represents an opportunity to deliver meaningful long-term benefits for the community. He highlighted the role of high-quality developments in driving regeneration, supporting local businesses and enhancing the overall appeal of town centres. The scheme is being funded through a combination of public sector investment, including support from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Northumberland County Council and Advance Northumberland. Local stakeholders have welcomed the project as a significant milestone in the town’s regeneration journey. The cinema and leisure complex will complement other recent and planned investments in the area, including new transport infrastructure and education facilities, helping to reinforce Ashington’s position as a growing regional hub. The appointment underlines continued confidence in town centre regeneration projects that prioritise mixed-use, experience-led environments, with construction-led delivery playing a key role in unlocking long-term economic and social value. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Meadows is entering an exciting new chapter with 2026 set to be a year of change and progress towards consolidating its position as a vibrant mixed leisure and retail destination at the heart of the city centre. Hollywood Bowl, recognised as the market leading tenpin bowling operator in the UK, has signed to take a substantial 30,000 sq ft unit for its latest multi-lane bowling, games zone, sports bar and party venue format. It is expected it will open this winter and will anchor the growing leisure hub at the core of the centre, complementing the Odeon cinema and the food offer. The food & beverage line-up is strengthened further with the growing restaurant brand Smoke & Pepper. Its 4,650 sq ft riverside unit opening in April will become its 14th outlet and feature its signature smash burgers, grilled chicken, loaded fries, smoked meats and speciality sauces. The retail offer is also being consolidated across fashion, gifts and convenience sectors.  Suit Direct is taking a c5,000 sq ft unit for its menswear designer and bespoke styling range of men’s suits, accessories and casualwear from leading brands.  Big Dog Land the innovative new lifestyle gifts, gadgets, and novelty technology products retailer is also set to open on the High Street frontage in a c1,500 sq ft unit. The High Street frontage also boasts the recently opened new convenience-led ‘grab and go’ food concept store – Co-op On The Go. One of the first of a “brand new chain of stores in vibrant, high foot-flow locations.” – The Co-op Group. This step up in the range and quality of the offer at The Meadows is complemented by other recent openings this year of women’s fashion brand Penny Plain and Taz’s Beauty Salon, part of a expanding chain of salons offering a range of beauty treatments. Alex Butler, Senior Asset Manager at Estama said:  “It’s been a really strong start to 2026 at The Meadows, with a great mix of new lettings and openings already coming through. We’re proud to be playing a part in the centre’s ongoing evolution alongside a great team, and there’s more to come across both retail and leisure, which will build on this momentum and continue to strengthen the centre’s position in Chelmsford. The city is one of the key destinations in the East of England, and The Meadows is becoming an increasingly important part of that.” Agents for The Meadows are Savills and Purpose Real Estate. Estama is the Asset Manager. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Caddick Construction has been appointed to deliver a £46m hotel development in Leeds city centre, marking another significant addition to the city’s growing West End regeneration. The project is being brought forward by joint developers Marrico and Helios, who have secured funding for the scheme on Lisbon Street. The site, formerly home to the Leeds International Swimming Pool, is set to be transformed into a new hospitality destination as part of wider redevelopment plans in the area. Caddick will act as main contractor on the 16-storey scheme, which will feature 200 hotel rooms under the ‘room2 hometel’ brand, operated by Lamington Group. The accommodation will include a mix of studios and suites designed to cater for both short stays and longer-term guests, reflecting changing patterns in the hospitality market. In addition to guest rooms, the development will include a ground floor café and bar, meeting and events facilities, a gym, laundry provision and a selection of retail concessions. The scheme is intended to create a flexible, modern hospitality offering that supports Leeds’ expanding visitor economy. Designed by DLA Architecture, the building will be fully electric and powered by renewable energy, aligning with wider sustainability targets and contributing to the city’s ambitions for low-carbon development. Construction is expected to begin in May 2026, with completion targeted for spring 2028. Steve Ford, regional managing director of Caddick Construction Yorkshire and North East, said the scheme represents an important opportunity to support the continued regeneration of Leeds’ West End while delivering a high-quality and sustainable hotel development. He added that the project builds on Caddick’s experience in delivering complex city centre schemes and reinforces its presence across Yorkshire and the North East. The Lisbon Street development is set to play a key role in revitalising the surrounding area, bringing new activity, investment and amenities to a prominent city centre site. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Barberry has strengthened its leisure line-up after securing a West Midlands city centre letting to expanding gym operator Trident Fitness. The Midlands-based investor and developer completed the 10-year lease at 50 Bishop Street, Coventry, shortly after previous tenant Pure Gym vacated the 19,555 sq ft unit. Barberry property surveyor Emilie Meddings said Trident Fitness agreed heads of terms promptly, with the lease completing at a rent of £175,000 per annum, subject to an upward-only rent review in year five. Positioned within Coventry’s ring road and adjacent to a sizeable car park, 50 Bishop Street represents a prime city centre retail and leisure opportunity, offering strong accessibility and prominence in the heart of the West Midlands. Trident Fitness has taken the entire building as part of its continued UK expansion. The operator has a proven trading history and a growing portfolio of gyms across the UK including Birmingham, Liverpool, Plymouth, Bridgwater, Weston-super-Mare and Yeovil. Emilie said: “We are delighted to have secured Trident Fitness at 50 Bishop Street on a 10-year term. The letting demonstrates continued demand for well-located, high-quality leisure accommodation in strong regional city centres. “Following Pure Gym’s departure in October, we acted swiftly to secure a new occupier on robust terms that reflect both the strength of the asset and Coventry’s improving city centre offer. Trident Fitness is an ambitious and expanding operator with a strong track record, and we are pleased to support their continued growth.” The deal underlines Barberry’s continued focus on proactive asset management, securing long-term income and keeping its regional portfolio in peak condition. Barberry has a 3.6 million sq ft industrial/logistics development pipeline with a Gross Development Value of more than £650 million and a growing income-producing commercial portfolio, delivering sustainable returns. The company also has 520 acres of strategically located residential and employment development land, capable of delivering 3,500 new homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Fast-growing, QSR brand, Chopstix, has continued its impressive 2026 expansion, opening its latest store in Colchester. Opening on Culver Street West, just a short walk from Colchester Castle, the new store is the first site in the busy city centre and is part of a wider growth plan to target high footfall locations. Colchester is the latest step in a busy period of growth for Chopstix following investment from European quick service restaurant operator, QSRP in October of 2024, and closely follows the opening of the brand’s first international opening, in Paris, earlier this year. With Essex identified as a significant opportunity for growth for the business, the Colchester store will create 20 jobs for local people. With more than 150 Chopstix stores across the UK, the business boasts a strong pipeline of new sites, through both company operated and franchise ownership models. Colchester marks the company’s third UK opening of 2026 and the first store to open in Essex, since it launched in Basildon in June 2024. Jon Lake, Chopstix Managing Director, said: “We’ve been looking at growing our presence in Essex for some time, following the popularity of sites in Basildon and Romford. Colchester is a fantastic city, and it felt like a natural next step for us to open here, I’m confident the store will see great success.” Chopstix was established in Camden Market in 2002 by entrepreneurs Sam Elia and Menashe Sadik, who remain involved with the business on a day-to-day basis. The Chopstix Group has undergone a busy period of brand development and expansion as Chopstix sets its sights on becoming the largest Asian QSR company on the continent.  For more information please visit: www.chopstixnoodles.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Gilbert-Ash and Whitbread celebrate a double topping out in Dublin City Centre Leading construction company Gilbert-Ash celebrated a significant milestone with the topping out of Premier Inn Jervis Street and Premier Inn O’Connell Street, in the centre of Dublin. The topping out ceremonies for both hotels were attended by Gilbert-Ash, its valued client Whitbread PLC, which owns Premier Inn, and key project stakeholders. The new hotels at Jervis Street and O’Connell Street will create 444 of Premier Inn’s latest format guest bedrooms in the heart of Dublin, where the brand is expanding rapidly. The developments also signal a major step forward in Gilbert-Ash’s growth ambitions within its home market of Ireland. Premier Inn Jervis Street is a 215-bedroom hotel reshaping a prominent corner at the intersection of Jervis Street and Abbey Street Upper. The project includes the demolition of the existing building and construction of a seven- storey building plus a basement and roof, with an onsite restaurant and bar on the ground floor overlooking Wolfe Tone Park. Premier Inn O’Connell Street is a 229-bedroom hotel located within the Clerys Quarter redevelopment. The works include construction of an eight-storey building plus a basement and roof, with restaurant and reception to ground floor. Both hotels are due for completion at the end of 2026 and are scheduled to open and welcome guests in early 2027. Gilbert-Ash Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson, said the company was proud to continue its partnership with Whitbread on two landmark hotel projects that will add significant strength to Dublin’s growing hospitality sector. He said: “Reaching the topping out stage is always a rewarding milestone. It’s the moment when we start to see the building emerge from its plans. “Both the Premier Inn Jervis Street and Premier Inn Clerys projects continue to make excellent progress, and collaborating with Whitbread and our wider project partners has been hugely satisfying. “I have no doubt that, when they open, both Premier Inn hotels will become highly sought-after destinations for visitors to Dublin.” Emma O’Shiel, Project and Programme Manager for Whitbread in Ireland, said: “Topping out two prime Dublin City Centre hotel developments on the same day demonstrates the scale of Premier Inn’s ambitions in Ireland. It shows how successful we are at bringing our affordable, consistent product to the best locations – and how fast we are working to grow a top-class network for our customers. “But we don’t work alone, and we need the support of an experienced contractor and development team to build complex hotel developments to our high standards. So, my thanks go out to Gilbert-Ash and the whole consultant team who have worked so hard to create these two-flagship new Premier Inn hotels for us.” Whitbread acquired Twilfit House on Jervis Street in January 2019, successfully securing planning approval from Dublin City Council to redevelop the former museum site into a 215-key hotel. The Clery’s Quarter development site was acquired by the business in August 2022 with planning permission already secured in June 2023. Whitbread currently offers its customers a choice of six hotels in Ireland across Dublin and Cork, offering more than 1,000 bedrooms, with an additional 1,200 rooms secured in its development pipeline. It is targeting a 5,000-bedroom network across Ireland. Gilbert-Ash has a unique approach to construction, fit-out and refurbishment based on the belief that great buildings come about through hard work, inspired innovation and genuine collaboration. Sustainability is a key focus for Gilbert-Ash with a number of initiatives underway to help the company to drive down its carbon footprint. Both the Jervis Street and O’Connell Street Premier Inn hotels have been designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’. To find out more about Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbertash.com. For more on Whitbread PLC visit www.whitbread.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals