Sheffield City Council has announced a £117 million investment package for the city’s leisure and entertainment facilities. The plans include rebuilds of some of the city’s most popular leisure centres, improvements to Sheffield Arena and the City Hall. Springs, Concord and Hillsborough Leisure Centres have all been selected for rebuilds.
Work has completed on EFL Championship team Queens Park Rangers’ new state-of-the-art training ground, set to accommodate the club’s first team, under 23s and academy squads form the coming season. The advanced new facility has been designed by Studio Zoppini Architects and delivered by an expert project team including, global
Hotel fitout specialist, Polcom Furniture by Volumetric Building Companies, has delivered its 15th contract for Whitbread’s hub by Premier Inn hotel brand. This latest project for main contractor Gilbert Ash was to manufacture and install the guest room furniture for the new hub by Premier Inn hotel in Clerkenwell, London.
Russell WBHO has been appointed to build a new nine-storey hotel in Gateshead. The contract was awarded by real estate company Ask:PATRIZIA to construct the 344 bedroom, 180,898 sq ft, dual branded hotel. Planning permission for the project was approved by Gateshead Council in March and construction is set to
Contractor Bowmer + Kirkland has begun construction work has begun on a new £45.8 million performance venue in Derby. The 3,500 capacity entertainment centre will be built on the site of the former Pennine Hotel, Laurie House offices, multi-storey car park, Pink Coconut nightclub in Colyear Street and Padley House
The indoor arena in Manchester will have a capacity of 23,500 An opening date has been revealed for the Co-op Live indoor arena. The arena, which cost an eyewatering £365m, is being built by Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium. It has now been announced the 23,500-capacity indoor arena will open its
Construction work has commenced on a new Coastal Activity Hub in Redcar. British Triathlon, British Rowing and British Cycling – the National Governing Bodies for their respective sports – have all endorsed the project with a vision of bringing community activities and local, regional, and national competitions to the hub,
Exeter’s £44m energy-efficient St Sidwell’s Point is the UK’s first Passivhaus leisure centre, designed to use up to 70 per cent less energy than a conventional pool and leisure centre. The centre features: a main swimming pool and learners pool with moveable floors; a confidence water pool; and a 100-seat
Leicestershire based architects, IMA Architects, has successfully delivered a brand-new, purpose-built gymnastics facility for Rugby Gymnastics Club. IMA has been part of a team including KAM Project Consultants and BWB, on behalf of Sport England, that has worked with the Gymnastics Club to realise the 19,655 square foot scheme at
Plans have been submitted to redevelop the former Chorlton Leisure Centre in Manchester as an affordable Later Living scheme for local people. The new development will provide 50 apartments for the over 55s. Seven of the apartments will be for sale by shared ownership, three will be neighbourhood apartments providing step up accommodation,
Sheffield City Council has announced a £117 million investment package for the city’s leisure and entertainment facilities. The plans include rebuilds of some of the city’s most popular leisure centres, improvements to Sheffield Arena and the City Hall. Springs, Concord and Hillsborough Leisure Centres have all been selected for rebuilds. In addition to investment for the Woodburn Road FC. A procurement process for the new projects will be put in place in 2024 when the existing agreements for the management of the various sites is due to end. The procurement process will be split into three packages. Each bidder will have the opportunity to tender for the packages that best suit their experience. The packages consist of Services for Sport and Leisure (including golf facilities), entertainment facilities at the town hall and entertainment facilities at the arena. Commenting on the plans, Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “Sheffield is renowned for sport, leisure and entertainment with our venues hosting many elite events and high-profile shows. We’re proud of this but we know that many of our facilities need significant investment. Our plans will ensure there are modern, accessible leisure facilities across the city and they will ensure Sheffield has the venues to compete on the national and international stage. “Listening to our residents, we know that many people can find it hard to be active and incorporate healthy habits into daily life. That’s why we’re working with our partners to deliver excellent, low-cost facilities across the city. We want to ensure people across Sheffield can access facilities that support wellbeing, physical and mental health, that are aspirational for children and young people and are places to socialise and have fun. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but we’ve developed a long-term vision that will protect and enhance our much-loved venues. Across the country we’ve seen pool and leisure centres close but Sheffield is bucking the trend by investing in our facilities.” Reflecting on the potential impact of the scheme, Councillor Richard Williams, Chair of the Communities, Parks, and Leisure policy committee, said: “To look after ourselves, we need facilities and open spaces that are fit for purpose, places that people want to visit and enjoy. “Health and wellbeing matter now more than ever. A walk in the park, a swim at your local pool, or a 30-minute class in the gym does wonders for minds and bodies and it’s important that local people have the choices to do it their way. “Sheffield is one of only three cities in the UK to host a National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine. A significant part of our success lies in working closely with our partners such as the NHS, the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre and the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. Working together to deliver the city’s Move More strategy enables us to ensure Sheffield residents have the facilities they need to live happy, healthier lives.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work has completed on EFL Championship team Queens Park Rangers’ new state-of-the-art training ground, set to accommodate the club’s first team, under 23s and academy squads form the coming season. The advanced new facility has been designed by Studio Zoppini Architects and delivered by an expert project team including, global design engineering consultants Buro Happold, planning advisors HGH Consulting, and contract administrators Arcadis. Construction was completed by Michael Brady Ltd and all pitch works and landscaping by White Horse contractors. The consultant team have worked collaboratively with the club to achieve a sensitive and coherent building that provides unified facilities for the club. It provides a strong identity, a focal point for engagement with the community and is flexible for the future needs both of its players and the needs of the site. The 27-acre site sits within the green belt, adjacent to M4 and residential areas and Cranford College. It was imperative that the design was sensitive to its location whilst providing an aspirational environment for all the representatives of the club and as a positive asset to the local community. The domestic profile of the building enables an extruded form that enables internal zoning and spatial interest to key areas. The entrance is secluded, whilst the main social spaces of the gym and dining areas open up to views across the practice pitches and the surrounding countryside. The careful selection of materials integrates simplicity and economy while creating a subtle identity for the club. The building’s orientation and envelope has been designed to integrate natural ventilation and daylight – both introducing passive design measures and creating a better workplace for all staff, including players. The number of EV (electric vehicle) charging points have also been increased from the original plans. Alessandro Zoppini, Owner at Studio Zoppini Architects, said: “It was important that the design provides a welcoming and healthy atmosphere for the athletes and staff, to generate a positive and supportive environment for the improvement of performance and a collective endeavour. In a similar way the building performs to high standards.” Jon Tollit, Studio Zoppini UK added: “Training facilities are the catalyst for the next generation and this building will provide a focus for the club for the years ahead, being flexible and adaptable to future needs. It is integrated and respectful to its Green Belt location, as it is to the local community. The project was a real ‘team’ effort.” Buro Happold delivered a full range of multidisciplinary engineering services in its key role, creating a project with impressive sustainability credentials. The facility features on-site renewable energy regeneration with 922m2 of solar photovoltaic panels, as well as extensive use of air source heat pumps. It is expected that thanks to a combination of demand reduction, and low-carbon air source heat pump and renewable energy systems, the project will exceed its 35% reduction target over Part L 2013 baseline figures, achieving BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification. Carbon dioxide emissions will also be reduced by 77% above GLA (Greater London Authority) targets. Buro Happold’s structural engineering team delivered impressive carbon savings on the project, advising on lightweight partitions to minimise the loading on steelwork, as well as pushing for cement replacement where possible. Parametric analysis shows that these timber partitions fins will create a 21% and 23% reduction in solar gain on the western and eastern facades respectively. The project was also used to test Buro Happold’s embodied carbon tool, a resource that is proving instrumental in reducing embodied carbon across all projects. The new Training Centre is the latest example of Buro Happold’s work and expertise in sport, which also includes the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, redevelopment of Lords Cricket Ground’s Compton and Edrich stands, and the upcoming Everton stadium at Bramley Moore Dock in Liverpool. Steve Macey, Director at Buro Happold, said, “It’s fantastic that QPR’s new training ground is complete and ready for its teams to start training ahead of the new football season. We’ve been involved over a number of years to consolidate the club’s first team with the academy onto a single sustainable site, and this is the culmination of all that hard work.” Work on the new training ground also included installing a world-leading hybrid turf GrassMaster system to five new pitches, a comprehensive drainage system, full irrigation, energy efficient under-pitch heating along with the wider site infrastructure. The project was also supported by planning advisors HGH Consulting, Arcadis, and delivered by Michael Brady ltd with the assistance of Thomas Alexander Design as the Delivery Architect. Sean Brady, Director of Michael Brady Ltd, said, “We are delighted to handover QPR’s exciting new training ground facility and to deliver for QPR, all of their players, staff and ultimately their fans. I am immensely proud of the entire Michael Brady Management and Design team, notably the Site Project Management for all of their hard work and all of the Michael Brady supporting staff.” Paul Mitchell, partner at Arcadis, said, ‘Having worked with the Club for over 10 years we are proud to have made our contribution to this amazing new facility. Procured with four distinct packages of work it was great to see the contractors and project team all work so closely together to deliver for the Club. We are pleased to have QPR within our portfolio of football training related projects which includes Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Leicester City.’ David Smith, MD of White Horse Contractors, commented, “The elite pitch development showcases the club’s vision and investment for the future, providing their players and staff with the very best facilities to play and train on. Being trusted by the club to design and deliver these pitches, and deliver the external landscaping to the new facility, is something we as a company are very proud of.” Patrick Grincell, Co-Founding Director of hgh, said: “We have advised QPR throughout the process from site acquisition to securing planning permission and have been delighted to continue working with the club to deliver on its vision to provide a new state-of-the-art
Hotel fitout specialist, Polcom Furniture by Volumetric Building Companies, has delivered its 15th contract for Whitbread’s hub by Premier Inn hotel brand. This latest project for main contractor Gilbert Ash was to manufacture and install the guest room furniture for the new hub by Premier Inn hotel in Clerkenwell, London. Designed by Sheppard Robson, the 180-bed hotel is part of a £38m mixed use development on the site of a former carpark in central London. It is one of 15 hub by Premier Inn hotels now in operation across central London and Edinburgh – all fitted out by Polcom. The project managers for the scheme were Cumming Group. Polcom manufactured around 1,700 items of furniture for the new four-storey hotel and for three hub by Premier Inn room designs – standard, bigger, and accessible rooms. Paul Quinn, Associate Director of Cumming Group, said, “We have worked on a number of Whitbread hotel projects with Polcom. The quality of their furniture and fitout on the Clerkenwell project was exactly as expected. The furniture is manufactured to a consistently high standard and optimises the space really well.” Fitted furniture was provided for the bedrooms in a matt ecru finish and included a closet with mirror, coat panel, bed base with integrated storage, headboard with recesses, pull-out table, and partition between the bedroom and ensuite. The bigger rooms feature a king-sized bed, headboard, desk and closet. Polcom also provided a vanity unit for each of the ensuites in an ecru finish with a contrasting wood-effect trim. Polcom is now working with Gilbert Ash on two other hub by Premier Inn projects in London – Camden High Street and Old Marylebone Road. Its team has worked on Whitbread hotel projects for over a decade. Acquired by Volumetric Building Companies in 2022, Polcom Furniture has more than 20 years’ experience in the hotel sector and has delivered bespoke furniture and fitout contracts for a wide range of hospitality brands including Premier Inn, Holiday Inn Express, citizenM and Marriott International. Polcom offers high quality and flexible furniture solutions for bedrooms and ensuites which are manufactured in Europe and can meet any brand specification for hotel customers across the globe. This gives operators in the hospitality space the benefits of shorter lead times, greater certainty of supply, and stringent quality standards – from materials sourcing to production and installation. Polcom Furniture also has strong logistics and project management to meet contractors’ scheduling and programmes, particularly on constrained urban sites. For further information, visit www.vbc.co/polcomfurniture. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Russell WBHO has been appointed to build a new nine-storey hotel in Gateshead. The contract was awarded by real estate company Ask:PATRIZIA to construct the 344 bedroom, 180,898 sq ft, dual branded hotel. Planning permission for the project was approved by Gateshead Council in March and construction is set to commence later this year. The design was created by AHR Architects. Other features of the hotel include, restaurants, bars, business meeting rooms and a residents’ gym. They will be managed by Vine Hotels. A network of pedestrian footpaths and crossings will link the hotel to the wider Quayside development areas and to Gateshead town centre to the west. When complete the hotel will be managed by Accor under its Novotel and Ibis brands. It is expected to host 210,000 visitors a year as well as to generate £13 million for the local economy. Commenting on the project, Russel WBHO Managing director Gareth Russell said: “As a recognised specialist in hotel construction, we are extremely pleased to confirm our appointment to this new project in Gateshead. “We take a collaborative partnership approach to delivery and our team is working closely with the client and the local authority in readiness for a project start later this year. “As part of our commitment to responsible sourcing and social value, we will look to secure labour and materials from local suppliers wherever possible and ensure the project provides training and apprenticeship opportunities for local young people.” Reflecting on the new partnership, John Hughes, managing director of Ask Real Estate on behalf of the Ask:PATRIZIA partnership said: “Russell WBHO has a proven track record in the leisure sector and we are delighted to be partnering with them to deliver this superb new hotel for Gateshead. We’re looking forward to making a swift start on site and seeing the creation of another valuable asset for the Quayside area.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Bowmer + Kirkland has begun construction work has begun on a new £45.8 million performance venue in Derby. The 3,500 capacity entertainment centre will be built on the site of the former Pennine Hotel, Laurie House offices, multi-storey car park, Pink Coconut nightclub in Colyear Street and Padley House in Becket Street. It will be owned by Derby City Council and leased to and operated by ASM Global. Bowmer + Kirkland took over the site on 5 June and the project is expected to be complete by January 2025 after which it will be handed over to ASM Global. When complete the space will be capable of holding events such as stand-up comedy and concerts. It is hoped to bring an additional 250,000 visitors a year to Derby as well as creating over 200 jobs. Commenting on the development Christian Parnell, Bowmer + Kirkland Regional Director,said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been appointed to build Derby’s exciting new entertainment and events venue. 2023 marks Bowmer + Kirkland’s first 100 years and it is fitting that we are beginning work on a major scheme which will bring life back to a once vibrant and prominent area of the city. “We are looking forward to working with St James Securities, Derby City Council and ASM Global to deliver this landmark venue for the people of Derby and Derbyshire.” Reflecting on the contract, Councillor Baggy Shanker, Leader of Derby City Council said:”This is an important step forward in finally delivering the new venue Derby needs, which will deliver real, tangible benefits for businesses, residents and visitors. “Creating a city centre for all is one of our priorities and this new and flexible space is a key part of bringing vibrancy and pride back to our city centre.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The indoor arena in Manchester will have a capacity of 23,500 An opening date has been revealed for the Co-op Live indoor arena. The arena, which cost an eyewatering £365m, is being built by Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium. It has now been announced the 23,500-capacity indoor arena will open its doors in April, 2024. It was originally supposed to be up and running by December this year, however, that has now been pushed back. Test events are planned to be staged in April shortly before it fully opens to the paying public.An exact date for the first event is due to be announced in the coming months, it has been reported. The arena is being built by BAM Construct UK and is being led by a joint venture between City Football Group and Los Angeles-based Oak View Group. Pop star Harry Styles was also announced as an investor. While Simon Moran’s gigs promotor SJM Holdings, which is the holding company of both SJM Concerts and rugby league club Warrington Wolves, also has shares in the joint venture. Gaiety Investments UK, the business run by Irish concert promotor Denis Desmond, is an investor as well. A Co-op Live spokesman said: “Co-op Live will be opening our doors to fans in April 2024. “It’s huge kudos to BAM, and the dozens of local subcontractors working on the project, that we are well within our original timeframe and on-budget given the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, supply chain shortages, and an energy crisis. “We’re proud to be on the home stretch to delivering Co-op Live and we can’t wait to invite fans in to experience the biggest and most sustainable arena in the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction work has commenced on a new Coastal Activity Hub in Redcar. British Triathlon, British Rowing and British Cycling – the National Governing Bodies for their respective sports – have all endorsed the project with a vision of bringing community activities and local, regional, and national competitions to the hub, including the Go Tri series. Local Active Partnership Tees Valley Sport has also offered its support – recognising the role that facilities play in driving participation. The hub could offer the opportunity for local organisations to host a range of other exciting activities, sports and events such as beach volleyball, land yachting and running events, with local sports clubs and community groups already showing interest. The Coastal Activity Hub will be located in a unique shipping container village that can be used as a meeting place and an informal base for clubs, school groups, activity leaders, families, or groups of friends. Coatham beach and the surrounding area is currently used for a wide variety of coastal activities and the hub will provide a base for these existing groups and individuals. Facilities for the Coastal Activity Hub will include a range of indoor and outdoor multi-use spaces, public toilet facilities, showers, lockers, an equipment store, changing facilities and parking. An accompanying catering offer will enhance the experience for visitors. The external space adjacent to the container village will form a flexible event area that could be used for a range of outdoor activities, such as exercise classes, sports, and demonstrations. It could also provide space for an event village, from which competitions could start and finish, including running festivals and triathlons. All attempts will be made to keep disruption to a minimum on site as the site is already cordoned off for other works on Coatham, including the development of Play Park and the Adventure Golf Course. This is part of the Coatham seafront masterplan, which aims to regenerate the seafront along Majuba Road to create a leisure-based destination. The new 100-space car park, which was recently built on the former Coatham Bowl site, will help mitigate demands for parking. The total project cost of the project is £880,000 with £855,000 being met by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority and £25,000 via the Redcar Town Deal. The Redcar Town Deal is led by a group of industry experts, business leaders, and community representatives, who have volunteered to support the regeneration of Redcar. Alongside the Council, they have helped develop large-scale regeneration plans on how to make Redcar a vibrant, sustainable town. Construction will take approximately six months, with a completion date set for November this year. An operator is currently being sought for the Coastal Activity Hub, which includes two provisionally licenced Food and Beverage units. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Exeter’s £44m energy-efficient St Sidwell’s Point is the UK’s first Passivhaus leisure centre, designed to use up to 70 per cent less energy than a conventional pool and leisure centre. The centre features: a main swimming pool and learners pool with moveable floors; a confidence water pool; and a 100-seat spectator seated area. In addition, there is: a 150-station fitness gym and two fitness studios; a health suite and spa facility; a children’s soft play area; and a 50-seater café. “St Sidwell’s Point officially opened one year ago, and I worked with the contractors to ensure we got everything right from an operational point of view,” says Jonathan Brown, Centre Manager. “Since opening, footfall through the centre has exceeded all expectations, so keeping the premises clean, particularly as it is so busy, is an ongoing challenge. “Due to the mixed nature of the site, with so many wet areas, we have the highest anti-slip tiles throughout. The flooring needs to be kept scrupulously clean for the safety of centre users, while also needing to be maintained to look good. “From day one, we needed the best possible equipment, but the first-floor cleaning machines we tried simply were not reliable or robust enough. We were therefore delighted when our janitorial supplies contractor H.D.Adcock Nelson Ltd recommended floorcare machinery from Truvox International. “At the in-house demonstration we were extremely impressed with the ease-of-use and efficiency of both the Orbital 1500 and the Multiwash™ PRO 340.” Efficiency and reliability “It’s quite unusual for a service business based in South Wales to be a preferred supplier for a site in Devon, but maybe that says a lot about us,” says H.D.Adcock Nelson Ltd Business Development Manager Kirsty Wallis. “I already knew the Partnership Manager at Exeter Council Leisure Services, so had the opportunity to offer some advice on the particular janitorial requirement for their new St Sidwell’s Point Leisure Centre. “One advantage we offer is that Adcock is part of the Jangro buying group, which means that all our customers receive free access to an online learning portal, and that certainly appealed to Exeter Council’s health and safety team. “As far as our relationship with Truvox International is concerned, it’s all about efficiency and reliability. One area that people always forget is the floor, and that’s where savings can be made. It’s also where all the hidden problems often are. St Sidwell’s Point Leisure Centre is an incredible looking facility with numerous different flooring types which creates huge challenges. “After reviewing a number of suppliers and equipment, it became clear that these were the only machines that could solve the wide range of problems at the site. The demonstration was so convincing that the order was placed only a couple of hours later! “Truvox International is a very hands-on business, and they are very supportive of us and our customers. When we recommend, specify or deliver cleaning equipment, such as Truvox’s Multiwash™ PRO, or Orbital machines, we also provide training for management and operatives. Both machines are so easy to use and maintain that the training is actually fun.” Two machines solve all the complex floorcare issues The Orbital 1500 combines orbital and rotary motions into one, providing a constant vibration that increases cleaning efficiency. The roto-orbital movement gives the machine great stability, which enhances the performance compared with a regular single disc machine. It is easy to use and manoeuvre and the low vibration levels provide excellent operator comfort. Meanwhile, the Multiwash™ PRO 340 is a scrubber-dryer, which gives excellent scrubbing power and pick up, leaving the floor clean and dry as well as adding a finishing touch to the floors. “Both the machines look good and highly professional, which is extremely important as since Covid, regular cleaning has become a front of house and highly visible activity, providing reassurance for centre visitors,” says Jonathan Brown. “To continue in the spirit of the Passivhaus philosophy, for floorcare we use only environmentally friendly BioHygiene solutions. They are highly concentrated biotechnology based all-purpose cleaning products offering superior cleaning and odour control using renewable and sustainable ingredients. “With the two machines from Truvox International we can guarantee perfect cleanliness and hygiene across the flooring throughout the site as they solve all of our complex floorcare issues.” https://www.truvox.com/our-products/scrubber-dryers
Leicestershire based architects, IMA Architects, has successfully delivered a brand-new, purpose-built gymnastics facility for Rugby Gymnastics Club. IMA has been part of a team including KAM Project Consultants and BWB, on behalf of Sport England, that has worked with the Gymnastics Club to realise the 19,655 square foot scheme at its new home on Kilsby Lane. IMA Architects was part of the design and delivery team consisting of main contractors, Wilten Construction and Civil and Structural Engineers, Jackson Purdue Lever. As Architectural Consultant, IMA oversaw the coordination of the project. Joe Travers, Associate Director at IMA Architects, said: “We have enjoyed working on this project to deliver a purpose-built gymnastic facility for a thriving club. At IMA we’re well known for our attention to detail and commercial awareness in seeing projects through to completion, and we have worked with Wilten as main contractor and the Gymnastic Club to produce a building which is both fit for purpose and financially viable, that accommodates the Gymnastics Club’s required layout.” Construction at the site started in August 2022 and practical completion for the first phase of works was achieved on 6th February 2023, with the Gymnastics Club due to relocate to its new home in the coming weeks. Simon Barnett, Project Manager at Wilten Construction comments: “The project has resulted in a massive improvement on the Club’s previous facilities which had become inadequate for the current needs of members. The new building allows them to have more gymnasts and facilitate holding their own events and competitions.” Rugby Gymnastics Club is a long-established Gymnastics Club in Warwickshire, which is dedicated to training young gymnasts, both boys and girls of all levels and ability from pre-school through recreational to elite standard and competitive squads. It offers children the opportunity to experience gymnastics in a safe and friendly environment with tuition provided by professional coaches. The new building will enable the Club to expand the sport into a wider community. With an estimated construction cost of £1.9m, the Club has generated the majority of the funds from the sale of its existing premises as well as various fundraising schemes and donations. It has also received circa £500,000 in funding from Sport England. Anyone interested in supporting the project with donations to help fund internal fit out and contribute to the rest of the venture is encouraged to contact the Club directly. Gill McKee, Development Director at Rugby Gymnastics Club comments: “We are thrilled with our new home and can’t wait to fully move in. We are an ambitious club with over 1,000 members so needed an amazing facility to match our aspirations. We currently have a waiting list of 500 gymnasts, so the new facilities will allow us to approve more memberships and provide gymnastics facilities to more people in the local area.” Lucy Litwinko, Director at KAM Project Consultants Ltd comments: “We are pleased to see the project come to fruition, on time and on budget. We hope that the facilities will inspire the next generation of Team GB athletes in the future. It would be fantastic to know one of the gymnasts started their careers at the facility we had a role in creating.” IMA is an award-winning firm of architects based in Blaby, Leicestershire. The firm, which celebrated its 25 Anniversary last year, has grown from a two-person team, to now employ 18 members of staff and work with a range of FTSE 100 companies, such as Marks and Spencer, and global brands such as Lidl. The company is a proud Community Partner of Leicester City Football Club and a sponsorship partner of both Leicester Tigers RFC and Leicestershire County Cricket Club. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans have been submitted to redevelop the former Chorlton Leisure Centre in Manchester as an affordable Later Living scheme for local people. The new development will provide 50 apartments for the over 55s. Seven of the apartments will be for sale by shared ownership, three will be neighbourhood apartments providing step up accommodation, with the remaining 40 capped at the Manchester Living Rent. Lettings will be prioritised to over 55s with a housing priority need, including those wishing to right-size and free up a social rented family home in the local area for families on the housing waiting list. Affordable homes to rent in neighbourhoods like Chorlton are much needed and these homes are expected to be in high demand. In addition to well thought out communal spaces and hubs within the development, there will also be opportunities to bring in other external features, for example health services, wellbeing spaces and opportunities for community interaction and involvement. The Chorlton Leisure Centre development is expected to be completed Summer 2025 and will see an investment of over £12m. Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “We know that local people have been eager to see this site brought back into use for some time and it’s great to see the project moving at full steam. “Working with MSV, we have taken the opportunity to use the site to build new sustainable, affordable housing to meet demand in the area and help diversify the housing market in Chorlton – delivering homes at the Manchester Living Rent to ensure as many people as possible can afford them. This is a really exciting development, and we look forward to seeing these homes take shape.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
