Manchester city centre’s fitness scene is set for a major boost as gym operator XtraFit prepares to open a 37,000 sq ft facility at Manchester Arndale. The brand has agreed a 20-year lease for a prominent Market Street unit, offering an extensive range of training options and wellness services. Members will have access to activities such as Hyrox training, run clubs, and group fitness classes, as well as a full suite of gym equipment. The new location will also feature massage and tanning services, enhancing the overall customer experience. Already established in Liverpool and Dudley, XtraFit’s arrival will further strengthen Manchester Arndale’s leisure line-up, joining existing attractions such as King Pins and Urban Playground. Scott Linard, portfolio director for M&G Real Estate, said: “A strong leisure mix has become the backbone of successful retail destinations, so we are delighted to introduce XF Gym to Manchester Arndale. With a bustling city centre population, XF Gym is perfectly placed to meet Mancunian fitness needs. “The continued evolution of Manchester Arndale has made it one of the North West’s most visited destinations, thanks to our best-in-class retail, food and beverage, and leisure offering. This consistent footfall makes us the first choice for brands looking to establish themselves in Manchester.” Metis Real Estate and Time Retail Partners continue to act as the retained letting agents for Manchester Arndale. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Huddersfield has welcomed its first Chopstix restaurant as the popular Asian quick-service brand continues its rapid UK expansion. Opening this month on King Street, the new outlet is part of Chopstix’s strategy to grow in high-footfall areas, including busy high streets and major transport hubs. The Huddersfield launch follows several recent openings across the country, including Brighton, Leeds and Wolverhampton. Sam Elia, co-founder and director at Chopstix, said: “We’re excited to be opening in Huddersfield and bringing our unique brand proposition to another great UK high street. This year we’ve seen strong momentum across the business, which is a testament to the strength of the Chopstix brand and our focus on quality, speed and customer experience.” The company’s growth has accelerated following investment from quick-service restaurant group QSRP earlier in 2024. With new locations continuing to open at pace, Chopstix is aiming to become the largest Asian quick-service restaurant brand in Europe. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn, has broken ground at its Sackville Place development in central Dublin, with Stewart Construction appointed to deliver the 138 bedroom site.  Located off O’Connell Street in the heart of the Irish capital, the high-density hotel marks Stewart Construction’s first contract from Firethorn.  With a high-quality specification, designed to enhance the city’s provision of affordable accommodation, Sackville Place is Firethorn’s first tourism asset, and its first development outside of the UK. The seven-storey site will feature a mix of double, triple and quadruple bunk dormitory rooms, alongside private double rooms. Modern communal social spaces across the ground floor and basement will be open to the public as well as guests, including a bar, café and lounge.   Paul Martin, Director and Head of Development at Firethorn, said:   “Breaking ground at Sackville Place is a significant milestone for Firethorn, marking the first asset of this kind within our Living portfolio, and our debut development outside of the UK. This project represents our ambition, as we continue to acquire and develop high-quality sites in prime locations for investment.  “As the latest addition to Dublin’s thriving hospitality landscape, Sackville Place will offer guests modern and affordable amenities, while contributing to the local neighbourhood with vibrant facilities for the public to enjoy. Stewart Construction has a proven track record in delivering best-in-class hospitality assets on time and in budget, and with work now underway, we look forward to working together to bring Sackville Place to swift completion.”  Paul Stewart, Managing Director, Stewart Construction said:  “Stewart Construction is delighted to be entrusted with the delivery of Sackville Place for Firethorn. A market-leading developer in UK real estate, Sackville Place represents Firethorn’s first acquisition outside of the UK and we would like to take this opportunity to welcome them to Ireland.  “Our mission is to work with clients who are like minded and we look forward to collaborating with Firethorn on this development. Our team is amongst the best at what we do; by understanding the needs of the hospitality sector, we can ensure quality, value and cost certainty.”  Firethorn acquired Sackville Place in partnership with real estate investment managers, SW3 Capital, who will retain operational management of the site upon completion through its new operating business, “The Gofer”.  Tom O’Mahony, Director and Co Founder of SW3 Capital said:  “This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. We’re thrilled to move into the next phase as we prepare to open and operate under our hospitality brand, The Gofer. Our goal is to redefine the guest experience in Dublin by combining exceptional facilities at Sackville Place with authentic, locally-rooted experiences. We’re excited to offer guests a true taste of Dublin – vibrant, welcoming, and unforgettable”.   Sackville Place is the latest addition to Firethorn’s growing Living portfolio, which includes purpose-built student accommodation sites in London and Edinburgh, the boutique hotel Malmaison York, and the office-to-residential conversion of One Bessborough Gardens in central London.  Practical completion is due in March 2027.   For more information, visit www.firethorntrust.com.   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Popeyes UK is continuing its ambitious expansion across the country, with Manchester Arndale confirmed as the latest destination for the fast-growing fried chicken brand. The popular chain has signed a lease for a 2,816 sq ft unit located within the centre’s bustling food court. It will join an already impressive line-up of quick-service restaurants and casual dining operators, further enhancing the Arndale’s appeal to shoppers and city-centre visitors. Having launched its first UK site in 2021, Popeyes has rapidly scaled its operations. With more than 80 sites now open nationwide, the brand has bold plans to open 45 additional restaurants during 2025. The new Manchester location is expected to attract considerable footfall, reflecting the city’s dynamic food scene and the brand’s growing popularity. The arrival of Popeyes adds to an increasingly diverse food and beverage offering at Manchester Arndale. Recent newcomers to the centre include Sides, a street food concept from YouTube collective The Sidemen, and international juice bar brand Joe & The Juice. These openings sit alongside recent retail additions such as Alo Yoga, Arc’teryx, Sephora, and PureSeoul – evidence of the centre’s broader transformation into a well-rounded lifestyle destination. Scott Linard, portfolio director at M&G Real Estate, commented on the signing: “We are delighted to welcome Popeyes to Manchester Arndale. The brand is an ideal complement to our expanding food and beverage mix. Our goal is to create a dynamic environment that offers more than just shopping – combining fashion, food, and entertainment in one central location.” He added that Manchester Arndale continues to see strong footfall and remains a magnet for both domestic and international brands seeking high-visibility space in the North West. Letting agents for the scheme are Metis Real Estate and Time Retail Partners, who remain focused on attracting a balance of global names and emerging talent to maintain the vibrancy of the Arndale offering. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Enabling work kicks off for flagship 693-bedroom hub by Premier Inn on The Strand Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hotel business and owner of Premier Inn, has started construction enabling works on its flagship hub by Premier Inn hotel development at 5 Strand, a prime site just off Trafalgar Square in central London. The 693-bedroom hotel, which will be one of the largest budget hotels in London when it opens, is on a highly prominent and complex site metres from Charing Cross station and Nelson’s Column. Whitbread acquired the development site in August 2022 as part of its strategy to grow its presence in the popular London market. The £200m development, including land and construction costs, will comprise a 13-storey, 16,000 sq metre budget hotel, which is targeted to open in autumn 2028. John F Hunt Ltd. has been appointed for the construction enabling works which is now underway and expected to complete early next year. These works involve demolishing the remaining sections of the former office which once occupied the site, rebuilding to ground level, and constructing the hotel’s 14-storey core using slipform concrete construction. Whitbread is aiming to place the main construction contract this summer. Hester King, Project and Programme Manager for Whitbread, said: “Breaking ground at 5 Strand is a major milestone for Whitbread and a defining moment in the evolution of our hub by Premier Inn brand, which began its journey a decade ago at St Martins Lane in Covent Garden. “This flagship development – just metres from Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross Station – demonstrates our ability to secure, design, and deliver high-quality hotels in London’s most complex and sought-after locations. It reflects the breadth of our in-house expertise and Whitbread’s long-term commitment to growing its affordable hotel brands in the capital where branded budget hotels are in short supply. “Personally, leading the construction of such a prominent project is a career highlight and I’m very proud to be part of a team delivering a standout addition to our London network when the 693-bedroom hotel opens in 2028.” Whitbread secured planning permission for the development from Westminster City Council in October 2024. On opening the company expects around 150 team will work at the hotel, with recruitment focused within the City of Westminster and adjacent inner London boroughs. In line with the company’s sustainability programme, Force for Good, the hub by Premier Inn at 5 Strand is being designed to run solely on electricity generated from renewable sources. Whitbread is targeting to reduce the carbon emissions from its direct operations (Scope 1 and 2 emissions) to zero by 2040. hub by Premier Inn hotels offer compact hotel bedrooms – approximately half the size of a ‘standard’ Premier Inn room – with a contemporary design style, a focus on technology and a relaxed ‘Lounge’ style food and beverage offering. Whitbread currently operates nine Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels in the borough of Westminster and the company is a long-standing signatory of Westminster City Council’s Sustainable City Charter initiative. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Travelodge has officially broken ground on a new 100-room hotel in Loughton, marking the latest addition to the UK’s first budget hotel brand’s expanding portfolio. The company, which operates more than 610 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain, is aiming to meet growing demand for affordable accommodation with the development. The new hotel is located just off the M11, with convenient access to the M25. It is just an eight-minute walk from Debden Underground Station, providing direct Central line services into central London. For motorists, on-site parking is available, and Stansted Airport is approximately a 30-minute drive away. Guests will also benefit from nearby amenities including Epping Forest Shopping Park and the expansive green spaces of Epping Forest. Designed to meet the needs of both business and leisure travellers, the hotel will feature Travelodge’s latest premium look, including a contemporary reception area, upgraded next-generation rooms, and the new 85 Bar Café. The development is part of a wider mixed-use scheme that includes office and self-storage space. The standalone hotel is being delivered by Higgins Group as the developer, with Barnes Construction serving as the principal contractor. Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director at Travelodge, said: “We’re excited to begin construction on our new hotel in Loughton, further strengthening our presence across the Greater London area. This is a prime location for commuters, shoppers, and visitors, and our hotel will provide a well-connected, great-value base for all types of travellers. We’re pleased to see work now underway and look forward to welcoming guests when the hotel opens at the end of next year.” The project is also expected to provide a boost to the local economy by creating new jobs and increasing visitor numbers to the area. Declan Higgins, Chief Executive Officer of Higgins Group, added: “We’re really pleased that work is now underway on the new Travelodge at our Langston Road site. This marks a significant step forward in the wider redevelopment of the site.” The hotel is due to open by the end of next year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Wingstop has continued its rapid UK expansion with the launch of a new restaurant at Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush. Situated on the Lower Mall, the new 3,379 sq ft venue offers seating for over 136 diners and marks another significant step in the fried chicken chain’s strategic growth across the capital. It follows the brand’s global flagship opening at Westfield Stratford City last year. The Westfield London branch serves Wingstop’s signature selection of wings, tenders, and burgers, complemented by an array of sides, milkshakes, desserts, and beers. Chris Sherriff, CEO of Wingstop UK, commented: “We’re thrilled to open at Westfield Shepherd’s Bush, the UK’s largest shopping centre. This launch builds on the success of our Stratford flagship and represents the next milestone in our London expansion. With demand for our flavours at an all-time high, 2025 is shaping up to be an exceptional year. A huge thank you goes out to our loyal customers and our teams for making this possible.” Wingstop first entered the UK market in 2018 and has rapidly grown its presence. Earlier this year, the brand announced its most ambitious pipeline to date, with plans to launch over 20 new sites across the UK in 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel brand, which operates over 610 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain, has officially commenced construction of a new 100-room hotel in Loughton. Conveniently located just off the M11 with easy access to the M25, the new hotel is an 8-minute walk from Debden Underground Station, offering direct Central line services into central London. For those travelling by car, the hotel provides on-site parking and is around a 30-minute drive from Stansted Airport. Guests can also enjoy nearby retail and dining at Epping Forest Shopping Park, along with easy access to the open green spaces of Epping Forest. The hotel will feature Travelodge’s new premium design, including a modern reception area, next-generation rooms, and the stylish new 85 Bar Café – designed to meet the needs of business and leisure travellers alike. Part of a wider mixed-use scheme that includes office and self-storage space, the standalone hotel is being delivered by Higgins Group as the developer and Barnes Construction as the principal contractor. As Travelodge continues to grow its portfolio across the UK, the Loughton hotel represents a strategic addition to the portfolio, helping to meet growing demand for affordable accommodation within easy reach of London. The new hotel will also contribute to the local economy through job creation and increased visitor footfall. Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director comments: “We’re excited to begin construction on our new hotel in Loughton, further strengthening our presence across the Greater London area. This is a prime location for commuters, shoppers, and visitors, and our hotel will provide a well-connected, great-value base for all types of travellers. We’re pleased to see work now underway and look forward to welcoming guests when the hotel opens at the end of next year.” Declan Higgins, Chief Executive Officer of Higgins Group, comments, “We’re really pleased that work is now underway on the new Travelodge at our Langston Road site. This marks a significant step forward in the wider redevelopment of the site.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

KFC has announced plans to open more than 50 new restaurants across the UK in 2025, marking the next phase in a major £1.5 billion investment into its UK and Ireland estate. The fried chicken giant, which already operates over 1,000 outlets nationwide, is aiming to significantly grow its footprint, with a long-term goal of opening 500 new sites over the next ten years. Earlier this year, the brand confirmed it will invest £466 million over the next five years to support this expansion. As part of the strategy, KFC has also committed to refurbishing over 200 existing locations to enhance customer experience and modernise facilities. The company has now issued updated acquisition requirements as it actively seeks new opportunities for both freehold and leasehold premises. KFC is considering a range of locations including retail and leisure parks, development sites, high street units, travel hubs, shopping centres, and food courts. The brand is particularly focused on securing drive-through sites between 0.3 and 1.5 acres, as well as in-line units ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 square feet. KFC’s expansion is set to span the entirety of the UK and Ireland, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and visibility. To incentivise support from property professionals, the company is offering a finder’s fee of £20,000 for suitable site introductions. This ambitious programme reflects KFC’s continued confidence in the UK and Irish markets and its commitment to long-term growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals