Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hotel business and owner of Premier Inn, opened yesterday [Wednesday 4th February] formally open its latest hotel in the City of London – setting a new benchmark for affordable hotel design in the capital.  It brings 212 contemporary hotel bedrooms – which will be operated under Whitbread’s popular hub by Premier Inn brand – to an area packed with history, culture, global landmarks and international business headquarters.   Taking care to respect the heritage aspects of the building, the hub by Premier Inn London Farringdon (Old Bailey) is built within a Victorian-era former police station, retaining many of the original features of the era including a historic entrance way, ‘reading room’, staircase and a dramatic atrium that celebrates both old and new architecture.  Hotel guests and visitors to the City will be able to enjoy a free-to-enter cultural space at the entrance to the hotel and in a central atrium space, featuring the work of two Goldsmith’s trained London-based artists – Hilary Yip and Leily Mojdehi – designed to integrate the hotel within the City of London’s ‘Culture Mile’ initiative.    Unique heritage bedrooms have been designed at the front of the Grade II listed building, and the ‘hub’ brand’s compact bedrooms are also arranged across the rear new building, set behind a historic retained façade across  eight storeys.  Affordable hotels are in high demand in the City of London as domestic and international guests increasingly seek out value from which to enjoy the City’s many unique cultural attractions and leisure opportunities, and to take advantage of the Square Mile’s transport connections, particularly the Elizabeth line.  It is a use the City of London Corporation has been encouraging through its ‘Destination City’ growth strategy to attract more visitors and workers into the Square Mile which recognised the opportunity for hotels, alongside office workspaces, for which it is internationally renowned.  Whitbread has been operating Premier Inn hotels in the City of London catchment since 2013 and has stepped up investment in recent years to meet consistently high customer demand and to capitalise on opportunities to transform former office buildings into high quality, affordable hotels.  Following the opening of the London Farringdon (Old Bailey) hub by Premier Inn hotel, the FTSE100 hotel company now offers its guests a choice of seven Premier Inn and hub hotels across the City with a further two Square Mile locations under construction or in planning.   Nationwide, nearly 30% of the FTSE100 hotel company’s development pipeline are hub by Premier Inn hotels, the majority of which are focused in the capital.   Jonathan Langdon, Senior Acquisition Manager for Whitbread, said:  “We have poured our heart and soul into creating a showcase development at Farringdon (Old Bailey) – demonstrating how affordable hotels like hub by Premier Inn can breathe fresh life into vacant historic buildings in Central London.    “The new hotel achieves so much, creating a fantastic new addition for our customers, retaining heritage, and contributing towards a buzzing and vibrant seven-day-a-week City of London through the activity and spending of our guests.   “We’re very proud with what we have achieved and are grateful to the vision and hard work of so many people who have contributed to make the development happen.”  Whitbread acquired the former City of London Snow Hill Police Station from the City of London Corporation and worked closely with City planners to create a hotel development that balances the need to revitalise the site whilst respecting its heritage.   Tom Sleigh, Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation, said:   “The transformation of the former Snow Hill Police Station into a modern, affordable hotel shows how heritage and planning innovation can work hand in hand, an excellent example of how thoughtful, high-quality design can bring new life to one of the City’s historic buildings.  “As we continue to diversify the Square Mile’s offer, projects like this help ensure the City remains a vibrant, welcoming and culturally rich place for workers, residents and visitors alike. We welcome Whitbread’s commitment to celebrating the area’s history while supporting the City’s growth.”   Whitbread’s hub by Premier Inn is designed for locations in major cities where property prices are relatively high but, thanks to the brand’s smaller room format, is able to deliver a strong commercial performance whilst providing affordable rooms for guests.   Launched on St Martins Lane in Covent Garden in 2014, the brand now offers nineteen centrally located hotels and almost 3,300 bedrooms in locations across Central London and Edinburgh City Centre.  In line with Whitbread’s sustainability strategy, Force For Good, the hub by Premier Inn London Farringdon (Old Bailey) hotel is powered by electricity backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) – with the building incorporating heat recovery systems and air source heat pumps to create a low energy demand.  The hub also features a blue roof design, which means it stores the rainwater and releases it slowly to reduce flood risk in the area.  A team of 35 have been recruited or offered opportunities for career progression with Whitbread through the new hotel opening – with new job opportunities promoted to residents of Central and Inner London.   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Trafford Council has approved plans for a new purpose-built ice arena and multi‑use event space at TraffordCity, Manchester; marking a major milestone for the region’s leisure and sports offering. The 3,000-capacity TraffordCity Arena will feature state‑of‑the‑art ice skating and ice hockey facilities, and a flexible event space designed to host a wide range of entertainment and community activities. The development’s anchor tenant will be Planet Ice and will become one of their largest venues in the UK. Located on the former Soccer Dome site, adjacent to The Snow Centre, Trafford Golf Centre, David Lloyd, Fives Soccer, iFLY and The Padel Club, the arena will further strengthen TraffordCity’s position as the UK’s leading leisure destination. The project is being developed by ICITIES in partnership with Peel Waters, who have cleared the site to enable future leisure developments. The new arena will offer year-round ice activities, lessons and sessions, alongside premium hospitality experiences with future tenants offering family dining, bars, leisure and VIP areas. Designed with versatility in mind, the venue will also host concerts, screenings and immersive experiences, creating a dynamic destination for visitors. The decision follows a strong period of momentum for the TraffordCity area, which is currently experiencing a wave of transformational development activity. Work has now commenced on the £450million Therme Manchester wellness resort – an ambitious, next‑generation health and wellbeing destination set to include extensive indoor and outdoor pools, thermal experiences, botanical gardens, water-based family attractions, fitness and wellbeing facilities, and a diverse F&B offer. The project will be one of the most advanced wellbeing resorts in Europe and a flagship addition to TraffordCity. Meanwhile, Trafford Waters Care Home, the first residential development within the emerging Trafford Waters neighbourhood within TraffordCity, has now completed – marking the delivery of the first new homes on the site and establishing a key anchor for the growing mixed-use community. With planning now secured for the TraffordCity Arena, Peel Waters is actively exploring further development opportunities for adjacent plots on the former Soccer Dome site. These could include high-end lifestyle hotels as well as more exciting leisure and sporting experiences, providing new opportunities for partners and operators looking to join the UK’s most successful leisure destination. The TraffordCity Arena is expected to deliver significant economic benefits to the region. Peel Waters’ long-term vision for TraffordCity has already created 17,500 jobs, with plans to increase this to 33,000 over the next 20 years. The new arena will contribute to this growth by generating construction roles during the build phase and more than 50 permanent operational jobs once open, including hospitality, event management and leisure services. With the increasing popularity of ice sports, the development is forecasted to attract a significant number of new visitors annually, boosting the local visitor economy and driving further investment into Trafford and Greater Manchester. This influx of visitors will also benefit surrounding businesses and leisure attractions, reinforcing TraffordCity’s position as a premier destination for sport and entertainment. James Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Waters, said: “Securing planning approval for the TraffordCity Ice Arena is fantastic news for the area. This is a significant step in delivering our vision for TraffordCity as a destination that offers something for everyone. The new arena will provide world-class ice facilities and enhance our growing portfolio of sport and leisure experiences; attracting new visitors, investment and employment opportunities to the region.” Nick Payne, Director of ICITIES, commented: “This approval allows us to move forward with creating a truly unique venue. Our design combines professional ice facilities with flexible spaces for non-ice events, ensuring the arena can serve a wide range of uses and audiences. The design includes approximately 20,000 sq. Ft of ancillary space for tenants offering complementary food, beverage and leisure facilities.” Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “Trafford Council is committed to the regeneration of the area and this project will bring a number of important benefits to the borough including the creation of 50 permanent jobs.” Heath Rhodes, Chief Operations Manager at Planet Ice, added: “As Planet Ice enters its 30th year, we’re delighted to see planning permission granted for this landmark project. Demand for ice facilities in the North West continues to grow, and this arena will help meet that need while delivering first class amenities for visitors. TraffordCity is the perfect location, with excellent transport links and complementary leisure attractions.” The contractors will be announced in the new year, with construction expected to begin in spring 2026 and an estimated build time of 12–15 months. Once complete, the arena will become a key part of Peel Waters’ long‑term vision for TraffordCity – to create an exciting, inclusive destination for sport, leisure and entertainment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans to transform a landmark Art Deco office building in the City of London into a major new hotel have been approved, unlocking the future of a long-vacant heritage asset. Developer Dominus, working in partnership with Cheyne Capital, will convert Ibex House into a 382-key full-service hotel. The Grade II-listed building, located at 42–47 The Minories, dates from 1935 to 1937 and is widely recognised as one of the City’s most distinctive Art Deco commercial buildings, positioned close to Aldgate, Fenchurch Street and Tower Hill. The approved scheme will see the former office space repositioned as a high-quality hotel designed by Studio Moren, with a strong focus on retention, reuse and heritage-led regeneration. Plans preserve the entire existing substructure and around 90 per cent of the superstructure, significantly reducing embodied carbon while allowing key historic elements to be restored. More than 50,000 sq ft of public space will be created, including a large conference centre featuring a ballroom and flexible meeting facilities. The proposals also include a new café and the restoration and reopening of the historic Peacock pub at ground level, re-establishing it as an active part of the local streetscape. The development will also introduce an on-site Hospitality Academy, delivered in partnership with Springboard, aimed at training local residents and supporting people facing barriers to employment. The hotel is scheduled to open in late 2028 and will be operated by Dominus’ in-house hotel platform as it continues to expand its central London portfolio. Preet Ahluwalia, chief executive officer at Dominus, said the scheme would bring a long-unused building back into productive use while celebrating and preserving its Art Deco character. The wider professional team includes Iceni Projects, Meinhardt Group, Spacehub, Pell Frischmann, Montagu Evans and Concilio. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Sefton Council has appointed Vinci Building as its preferred contractor for the £73m Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport, bringing momentum to a project that has faced previous delays. Vinci Building has now signed a pre-construction services agreement with the council and will work alongside the project team over the coming months to prepare the waterfront scheme for delivery. The appointment follows unsuccessful negotiations with Kier and John Graham Construction last year, making Vinci the third contractor to be lined up for the scheme. The Marine Lake Events Centre is planned as a multi-purpose venue capable of hosting entertainment, conferences and major events. It will replace the former Southport Theatre with a new 1,200-seat auditorium alongside exhibition and flexible event space. While the main construction contract has yet to be signed, Sefton Council said full works are expected to start later in 2026. Significant enabling works have already been completed, including the demolition of the old theatre building and extensive sheet piling along the lakefront to create new retaining walls. The council and Vinci Building are already partners on the Bootle Strand regeneration project, providing a foundation for collaboration on the Southport scheme. Council leader Marion Atkinson said the authority was confident in the appointment, citing a shared vision and commitment to delivering a complex and ambitious project. She added that the new venue would create jobs, attract hundreds of thousands of visitors and provide a world-class events destination for the borough and the wider Liverpool City Region, delivering long-term economic and cultural benefits. Vinci Building regional director Gary Hughes described the project as a flagship opportunity for the contractor. He said the appointment would allow Vinci to work closely with local businesses and the Southport community, with benefits expected both during construction and long after completion as the council’s ambition to attract major events to the town takes shape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Costa Coffee has outlined a fresh set of acquisition requirements as it looks to continue expanding its estate across the UK. The coffee chain opened more than 80 new stores in 2025 and is now targeting further growth across a range of locations, including retail parks, high streets, shopping centres and travel destinations. A key focus of the expansion strategy is also the continued rollout of drive-through formats. Within retail parks, Costa is seeking units ranging from 1,500 sq ft to 2,500 sq ft, with external seating and nearby car parking. Both freestanding and in-line units will be considered, particularly in out-of-town locations with strong traffic flow and close proximity to foodstores, retail and leisure clusters. For high street and shopping centre locations, the operator is looking for similarly sized units between 1,500 sq ft and 2,500 sq ft, again with outside seating where possible. Costa is also open to opportunities in locations such as universities, hospitals and leisure destinations, where consistent footfall supports all-day trading. Travel locations form another strand of the growth plan, with Costa seeking sites within transport hubs and train stations. Units from as little as 125 sq ft are being considered in these settings, including grab-and-go kiosks, standard retail units and suitable conversions, provided footfall levels are high. Drive-through expansion remains a priority, with Costa targeting units between 1,250 sq ft and 2,200 sq ft. Ideal sites will be located in out-of-town areas, close to foodstores, retail warehousing and leisure uses, and will include a dedicated drive-through lane, external seating and either dedicated or shared car parking. Property adviser Savills, which was appointed by Costa in 2025, is leading the search for suitable new locations as the brand continues to build momentum across its UK estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Morgan Sindall Construction’s London division has commenced the refurbishment of the Grade II listed Kings Hall Leisure Centre in Hackney, aiming to preserve the building’s historic features while delivering new, state-of-the-art facilities. Selected by Hackney Council through the Southern Construction Framework (SCF), the £68.7 million project includes refurbishing the existing large pool and constructing a new large pool alongside a smaller teaching pool. Key heritage elements, such as the historic entrance, glazed bricks, and balustrades, will be carefully retained and restored. The redevelopment will also introduce new build features, including a cycle store, double-height sports hall, accessible entrance, sauna, and steam room. Morgan Sindall has committed to matching new structures to the existing brickwork to maintain the original character of the building. The restoration and construction work is scheduled for completion in autumn 2028. In line with Morgan Sindall’s sustainability goals, solar PV panels will be installed, and a new, energy-efficient M&E system will replace the centre’s current HVAC system, powering the leisure centre in a greener, more cost-effective manner. The project will also provide substantial local engagement opportunities, including work placements, apprenticeships, T-Level placements, and training weeks. Morgan Sindall plans to employ 30% local labour during construction to benefit residents in Hackney and surrounding boroughs. Morgan Sindall is working with FaulknerBrowns Architects, Alan Baxter Civil and Structural Engineering, Atkins Realis Cost Consultants, Hadron Consulting, and Ares Landscape Architects on the project. Richard Dobson, Area Director of Morgan Sindall Construction in London, said: “It’s a real privilege to work with Hackney Council to restore Kings Hall Leisure Centre. This historic building is a cornerstone of the borough, so we’re immensely proud to be part of its revitalisation, bringing life back to the centre with fresh facilities all while preserving the original features that the community has grown to love. “Not only is this project an opportunity to deliver a much-needed upgrade on Kings Hall Leisure Centre, but to give the people of Hackney the space they deserve to stay active and enjoy the centre’s facilities. “This is a great chance to get to know Hackney’s local community who will be joining us on site through apprenticeships, work placement opportunities, and local labour employment.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Developer-backed plans to significantly expand Nottingham Forest Football Club’s City Ground have been submitted, setting out proposals to increase the stadium’s capacity from 30,445 to around 52,000. The planning applications mark a major step forward in the club’s ambitions to deliver a large-scale redevelopment of the historic riverside ground. Nottingham Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, said the proposals represent a significant investment that would create a sustainable and iconic stadium, forming an integral part of the economic growth of Nottingham and the wider region. The redevelopment has been designed by KSS Design Group, which is also leading stadium expansion projects at Anfield for Liverpool FC and Elland Road for Leeds United. The wider professional team includes Buro Happold, Gleeds and Savills, reflecting the scale and complexity of the proposed transformation. Under the new plans, the City Ground would be comprehensively redeveloped to deliver a modern, high-capacity stadium capable of supporting the club’s long-term sporting and commercial ambitions. Visuals released by the club show a substantially enlarged venue designed to enhance the matchday experience for supporters while improving facilities and accessibility. In a statement, Nottingham Forest said it is looking forward to working closely with the Mayor of the East Midlands, Rushcliffe Borough Council, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, as well as fans and the wider community, to secure a positive outcome for the scheme. The new proposals replace a previously approved, more modest expansion. Last year, the club secured planning permission from Rushcliffe Borough Council to increase capacity to 35,000 through the demolition and rebuild of the Peter Taylor Stand. Those plans have now been set aside in favour of the more ambitious redevelopment. Architect Konstantinos Chatzimanolis, formerly of Foster & Partners, has also been advising the club on its expansion strategy since April last year. James Faflik, senior director and project lead at Gleeds, said he was proud to have led the professional team on what he described as a transformative stadium redevelopment. He said the project would deliver significant benefits for supporters, the local economy and the wider area, and expressed his enthusiasm for progressing the scheme following submission of the planning application. Gleeds regional director Matt Darby added that feedback from local businesses, councillors, season ticket holders and other stakeholders had been overwhelmingly positive. He said the firm is looking forward to continuing its long-standing relationship with the club as the project moves through the planning process. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Leeds United Football Club has confirmed that planning permission has been approved for the long-awaited expansion of Elland Road Stadium, marking a historic milestone for the club, its supporters, and the city of Leeds. The decision, made by Leeds City Council’s Plans Panel at The Civic Hall, allows the stadium’s capacity to increase to up to 53,000 through the enlargement of the West and North Stands, along with targeted alterations to the South Stand. The approved plans will elevate Elland Road to a UEFA Category 4 stadium, positioning it among Europe’s elite venues. The expansion also opens opportunities for Leeds United and civic partners to host major international tournaments and showcase events, generating cultural and economic benefits for the Leeds City Region. The development has been designed to enhance the matchday experience while preserving the stadium’s historic character. Fans can expect: For players, the upgraded stadium will provide a world-class platform, supporting the club’s ambitions to compete at the highest level and attract top talent. Leeds United Chairman Paraag Marathe said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for the expansion of Elland Road Stadium. This is a historic day for Leeds United Football Club. As custodians of this great club, we are committed to its long-term success, and today’s decision supports our ambition to establish Leeds in the Premier League and continue progressing over the years to come. I would like to thank everyone involved in the project to date, for helping us reach this point.” Leeds United Chief Business Officer Morrie Eisenberg added: “From setting out our initial ambitions for Elland Road in late September 2024 to receiving planning approval today, the progress we have made is something we are immensely proud of. This has been a truly collective effort, with Leeds City Council, our local communities in Holbeck and Beeston, National Highways, our expert advisers and, most importantly, our supporters all pulling together to reach this milestone. “The overwhelming level of support, with 98% of respondents backing the proposals, demonstrates how deeply this club and stadium matter to the city. Without our fans, this moment would not be possible. The expansion will allow us to welcome thousands more supporters through the gates, reduce the 26,000-strong Season Ticket Waiting List, and create a better matchday experience for everyone. “The stadium expansion project is also the first step towards the wider regeneration of the Elland Road neighbourhood. Alongside our partners, we are committed to ensuring this development delivers lasting social and economic benefits, from job creation to increased investment, while continuing to grow our community impact through the Leeds United Foundation and organisations such as Holbeck Together.” Enabling works will begin immediately, with major construction set to start after the current season. Elland Road will remain open throughout the project, allowing Leeds United to continue playing at its historic home. Further updates will be shared with supporters as the development progresses. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Developer Chart Forte has secured planning approval to deliver a four-storey rooftop extension as part of the conversion of a former City of London office building into a luxury hotel. The City of London Corporation has granted consent for the redevelopment of the Grade II-listed St Clement’s House at 27–28 Clements Lane, clearing the way for a 180-key Marriott hotel in the heart of the Square Mile. The scheme is being brought forward by family-run developer Chart Forte (Monument), with designs by Studio Moren. Construction works are expected to commence this summer, with the build programme anticipated to last between 18 and 24 months. Located between Monument and Bank, the mid-19th century building will be transformed from underused office space into a design-led hotel, supporting the City’s wider ambition to diversify land use beyond its traditional commercial office base. The proposals include a public-facing ground floor offering a lounge, restaurant, café and bar, helping to animate the surrounding streetscape throughout the day and evening. A key feature of the scheme is a lightweight metal rooftop extension that will add four new storeys of guest accommodation. The curved design has been developed to respond sensitively to the building’s historic context, drawing inspiration from its existing segmental arches as well as the vaulted forms of nearby St Clement’s Church. This approach allows the hotel to increase capacity while maintaining a respectful relationship with the surrounding townscape. The conversion is underpinned by a heritage-led strategy that will see key architectural features retained and restored. These include the marble-clad street-level façade, original staircases and cast-iron columns. Elements that have been lost over time, such as decorative plaster ceilings, chimney breasts and internal arches, will be reinstated as part of the works. Sustainability sits at the heart of the proposals, with the project targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating. A reuse-first approach will be adopted, incorporating roof-mounted photovoltaic panels, low-carbon materials and building services, fabric upgrades, rainwater harvesting and the creation of a biodiverse green roof. Once complete, the hotel is expected to make a significant contribution to the City’s growing leisure and hospitality offer, bringing new life to a historic building while responding to changing patterns of demand in the Square Mile. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals