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

Exciting Opportunity for Gym Operator as Leisure Use Approved for AM Sci Tech at Bridge of Don Site AM Sci Tech is pleased to announce that its planning application to change the use of the Innovation Centre at Aberdeen Energy Park has been approved by Aberdeen City Council. The decision grants permission to convert the building from Class 4 (Business Use) to Class 11 (Leisure Use), paving the way for the development of a high-quality gym or fitness facility at the heart of the growing Bridge of Don community. Located on Exploration Drive, the Innovation Centre is a modern, standalone building set over two floors and extending to approximately 14,000 sq ft (1,300 sq m). With a striking atrium, generous floorplan, high ceilings and excellent on-site parking, it offers an ideal setting for a gym operator looking to establish a presence in a vibrant and expanding area. The approved change of use comes at a time of major residential growth in the surrounding neighbourhood. With nearly 900 new homes under construction or in the planning pipeline from developers such as Cala and Persimmon Homes, demand for accessible fitness and leisure amenities has surged. The new facility will play a key role in supporting active lifestyles and enhancing community well-being. Gordon Pirie, Asset Manager at Aberdeen Energy & Innovation Parks, commented: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for the change of use at the Innovation Centre. This approval marks a major step forward in delivering a new leisure facility that supports the needs of residents and businesses alike. A gym operator will bring real added value to the park and to the wider Bridge of Don area.” The site offers excellent connectivity to Aberdeen city centre and the wider region, with direct access to key arterial routes including the AWPR. Its location ensures convenience for both residents and the many professionals working within the business park. The introduction of a gym aligns with AM Sci Tech’s wider vision for Aberdeen Energy & Innovation Parks as a multi-purpose destination, home to a mix of office, industrial, and now leisure amenities. This expansion will further enhance the park’s reputation as a hub for business, health, and lifestyle. With planning permission now secured, AM Sci Tech is actively seeking expressions of interest from gym operators and leisure providers ready to capitalise on this unique opportunity. For more information or to discuss potential opportunities, interested parties are encouraged to contact Gordon Pirie on 07525 240 453. Knight Frank and Ryden are joint agents for Aberdeen Energy & Innovation Parks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel brand which operates over 610 hotels, has acquired a 155-year long leasehold interest in 6 Broad Street Place & 15-17 Eldon Street from the City of London Corporation. The property is being acquired within the Travelodge OpCo Group.  Located opposite Liverpool Street station, the acquisition covers two prominent adjacent buildings, totalling 58,893 sq ft net internal area, which are currently vacant and awaiting refurbishment. Subject to planning permission, Travelodge will convert the upper floors of both buildings into a hotel with an 85 Bar Café, offering a relaxed space for guests to eat and drink. The project will also reinstate pre-existing retail uses on the Ground Floor of 6 Broad Street Place.  The acquisition is an example of one element of Travelodge’s UK development strategy, sustainably expanding its network of hotels by converting existing, vacant office and retail buildings into new hotels. By repurposing redundant spaces, Travelodge aims to bring them back into active economic use, benefiting the local community and meeting the growing demand for budget accommodation.   Travelodge continues to see significant growth opportunities in the UK, with over 300 target locations identified following a comprehensive market review. The Group is successfully executing its development strategy, with 11 freehold and leasehold hotels opened in the year to date, and a further 4 hotels exchanged or completed. It is also exploring extension opportunities within its existing estate.  Internationally, Travelodge has an established profitable presence in Spain, currently operating 12 hotels. With plans to expand into 20 key markets in Spain, the Group aims to grow through new developments and freehold or leasehold rebrand acquisitions. Jo Boydell, CEO of Travelodge, comments: “The acquisition of 6 Broad Street Place and 15-17 Eldon Street marks another significant step in our UK development strategy as we continue to grow and optimise our hotel network. Office-to-hotel conversion is a sustainable way of developing, allowing us to meet the increasing demand for budget hotels while reducing the carbon impact that new development brings. We are also excited to expand our portfolio in London, where we currently operate over 80 hotels, with a further five developments underway.” The City Corporation was advised by Capital Real Estate Partners, while Travelodge was represented by Strettons. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

RED Construction Group, the specialist contractor, has announced the appointment of its Special Projects division by Clermont Hotel Group to complete the multimillion pound refurbishment works at The Tower Hotel by Thistle. This latest appointment joins the Group’s extensive experience in delivering hotel projects across London and the South West, leading on c.£110m worth of works, including the recent completion of voco Zeal Hotel at Exeter Science Park in 2024, the UK’s first branded net zero carbon hotel. Located within walking distance of many of London’s heritage attractions and the centre of St Katharine Dock, The Tower Hotel by Thistle first opened its doors in 1973, by Sir Richard Hull, the then Constable of the Tower of London. RED’s Special Projects team is upgrading the hotel’s iconic Tower and Bridge Suites and refurbishing key structural elements of the building to develop improved function and public spaces, enhancing the experience for guests, visitors and staff alike, led by the designs from Unwin Jones Partnership. Two of the hotel’s most popular function spaces, the Tower and Bridge Suites, which offer unrivalled views of the Thames and Tower Bridge, will be enhanced through new window glazing, timber panelling finishes and light fixtures. Moveable walls will also be installed across the suites, allowing them to be separated into six rooms, to cater for a variety of events from conferences to business meetings and public celebrations, while improvements will also be made to the existing washrooms. On the mezzanine level of the hotel, the current function room will be transformed into a vibrant public space, with the installation of a new concrete, waterproofed wall, high-quality IT infrastructure and planting. The Tower Hotel by Thistle will continue to remain in-operation while these works are carried out, with RED’s Special Projects team tasked with delivering high-quality finishes and maintaining the health and safety of staff and users across the building. Nathan Farrar, Manging Director of RED Special Projects, commented: “The Tower Hotel by Thistle is an important institution for London. We are pleased to have a Clermont Hotel Group property within our portfolio, providing a world-class experience for guests and businesses alike. Our work to refurbish the iconic Tower and Bridge Suites and other function areas will enable Clermont Hotel Group to diversify their offerings, and ensure the hotel remains an attractive space for users over the long-term. Hotel delivery forms an important part of our workflow, and we are expecting future growth in hotel refurbishment works over the next 12 months in London, and across the UK.” Iain Grieve, Senior Property Project Manager, at Clermont Hotel Group, added: “Since its opening, The Tower Hotel by Thistle has proved to be an enduring part of London’s landscape. We have always looked at ways in which we can enhance our offering to meet the needs of businesses, guests and visitors, and the refurbishment of suites and function areas forms an important part of this journey. With the team’s extensive track record in hotel delivery, RED Construction Group were the ideal partners to lead on the refurbishment.” This marks RED Construction Group’s 9 project across London and the South East, where they have developed an expertise in delivering high-quality refurbishments, as demonstrated by their work on Legoland Windsor’s Woodland Village, London Marriott Hotel County Hall and St Mark’s Square development in recent years. This is matched by RED’s work in hotels where they have delivered over 1,000 hotel beds (including 658 refurbished rooms), and the UK’s first branded net zero voco Zeal Hotel at Exeter Science Park, led by their South West division. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals