Golf-focused leisure brand Five Iron is set to open its first European site at British Land’s Broadgate Campus in the City of London, supporting its wider push into the UK market. The operator has taken a 6,900 sq ft unit at 1 Finsbury Avenue, where it will occupy a prominent ground floor position. The venue will feature eight Trackman simulators, providing players with real-time analysis of their swing and ball flight. Alongside golf, the site will operate as a sports bar and entertainment hub, screening major fixtures including Premier League football and Formula 1 races. The Broadgate opening will act as Five Iron’s London flagship and the first location in a multi-unit franchise deal that will see the brand roll out across the UK. The company currently runs more than 40 venues across the United States, Asia and the Middle East. Alice Keown, leasing director for hospitality and leisure at British Land, said the arrival of Five Iron Golf would further enhance Broadgate’s lifestyle offer. She added that the launch of Broadgate Central marked a key moment for the campus, bringing in a mix of hospitality and leisure operators that together create a destination focused on work, wellbeing and socialising in central London. The deal follows British Land’s announcement last month that it had secured 16,000 sq ft of new retail and dining lettings at Broadgate Central. Broadgate now provides 289,000 sq ft of retail, hospitality and leisure space, with Five Iron joining a line-up that includes Eataly, Los Mochis London City, Everyman, Monica Vinader, Tommy Hilfiger and Space NK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Whitbread secures planning consent to convert Verity House in the South Bank area of the city centre into a 131-room hotel Whitbread plc, owner of Premier Inn – the UK’s largest hotel brand – has received planning consent to transform Verity House, a vacant office building in the South Bank area of Leeds city centre, into a 131-room hotel. Seeing the opportunity to capitalise on a highly accessible location minutes from Leeds Railway Station and the scenic waterfront of Granary Wharf, the FTSE-100 hotel company purchased the 44,000 sq ft (GIA) former office building at risk in October 2024. A planning application for the development was submitted to Leeds City Council in May 2025. Last week, the crucial section 106 agreement between Whitbread and the Council was signed, effectively paving the way for the development to proceed, following the delegation of decision-making to the city’s planners. Construction work is expected to commence in early 2026 and complete in Spring 2027. Jill Anderson, Acquisitions Manager for Whitbread, said: “Gaining approval of our plans for Verity House is a major achievement in our efforts to deliver more high-quality, affordable bedrooms for our guests in Leeds City Centre. We’re seeing huge demand in the city and this wonderfully accessible location is sure to be incredibly popular for our business and leisure guests. “Whitbread has a long and successful track record of converting office buildings into high-quality, successful Premier Inn hotels. By purchasing Verity House freehold last autumn, we demonstrated that Whitbread is unafraid to take on planning and development risk to convert former offices into hotels in locations that match our network plan requirements and meet the expectations of our guests for outstanding, easily accessible hotel locations. “We’re actively looking for similar opportunities across the north of England as we continue to grow our hotel estate in the region.” On opening, Verity House will complement three trading Premier Inns in Leeds city centre with a new 143-bedroom Premier Inn at Leeds Harewood Quarter is also under contract as part of a Council-led redevelopment. The hotel will offer the latest format Premier Inn ‘Standard’ and ‘Premier Plus’ bedrooms. Based on a mature occupancy of more than 80%, Whitbread expects more than 57,000 of its guests will stay at the Premier Inn at Verity House every year generating an additional £5.5 million in visitor expenditure annually – half of which is expected to be spent in Leeds city centre. This latest investment in the city forms an important part of Whitbread’s strategy of expanding its hotel network in the north of England. Across the region, the company is searching for more than 20 new Premier Inn locations, in addition to 15 targets in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as it grows towards its long-term potential target of 125,000 UK & Ireland rooms. As part of Whitbread’s Force for Good sustainability strategy, all Whitbread self-built or converted hotels will be powered solely by renewable electricity from 2025, and the company has a stated target to reduce water consumption per sleeper by 20% by 2030. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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