The architects behind Bearsden’s new Allander Leisure Centre, which opened its doors yesterday, are hailing the facility as a potential future flagship for community-led, combined leisure and adult day care projects. The £42.5m facility – designed by architects Holmes Miller for East Dunbartonshire Council – replaces the original Allander sports
Liverpool City Council has given the go-ahead to Peel L&P’s plans to develop a Central Park. The proposals include a new public park and essential infrastructure to enable the delivery of approximately 2350 homes. Located within the Central Docks neighbourhood at Liverpool Waters, just south of Collingwood Dock by the
Starbucks has put an end to speculation it could sell its British business with plans to invest £30m here and open 100 new coffee shops. The US hospitality giant, which has 1,066 outposts across the UK, said it would spend millions refurbishing its existing branches over the next three years
Proposals for Kirklees Council’s £210 million Cultural Heart development, which is set to transform the heart of Huddersfield town centre, were approved by the Local Planning Authority. With approval now secured, construction of the first phase of the scheme is set to get underway in Spring 2024. Initial works will
The planning team at law firm Irwin Mitchell has advised Millwall FC on its plans to build a new training ground in West Kingsdown, near Brands Hatch in Kent- which has now been granted full planning permission. The Championship football club now has the green light to erect new state
Work is to commence on the Kingsgate development in Huddersfield. Supported by Kirklees Council, developer WD Kingsgate will make major changes to the centre bringing cinema and engaging leisure activities to the offering, alongside the existing shops. Work to redevelop the 90,000 square foot, former House of Fraser store will
GMI Construction Group has completed a 27,802 sq. ft Premier Inn in the Lake District tourist hotspot of Keswick. Operated by Premier Inn’s parent company, Whitbread, the 71-bedroom hotel is at High Hill, on the site of the former Ravensfield Residential Care Home. The latest addition brings Premier Inn’s presence
Pre-construction work has officially started on the multi-million-pound planetarium at Sherwood Observatory Science Discovery Centre in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. Leading midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson has been appointed through Scape’s Beyond the Public Sector framework to complete pre-construction design and planning, with the state-of-the-art centre expected to be completed and fully
Award-winning company appointed main contractor for major redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd in Wales Leading construction and fit-out company Gilbert-Ash has been appointed main contractor for the £38million redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd in Mold, North Wales. The construction, which is planned for completion in late 2024, aims to set a high
Mollie’s bedrooms feature Conran furniture and lighting, oak lined walls, terrazzo tiles and chrome finishes. Indulgent cotton sheets and handcrafted Hypnos mattresses deliver a restful night’s sleep. Bathrooms are fitted with powerful rain showers, luxurious Cowshed products, fluffy towels and the latest Dyson and GHD hair appliances. The Mollie’s app
The architects behind Bearsden’s new Allander Leisure Centre, which opened its doors yesterday, are hailing the facility as a potential future flagship for community-led, combined leisure and adult day care projects. The £42.5m facility – designed by architects Holmes Miller for East Dunbartonshire Council – replaces the original Allander sports complex, built in 1978. It also now accommodates support services for adults with learning disabilities, previously offered at the Kelvinbank Resource Centre in Kirkintilloch. The new centre features an 8-lane swimming pool, sauna and steam room, hydrotherapy pool, gym, spin room, an 8-court games hall, two squash courts and a café, while also offering dementia, rebound, sensory and physiotherapy treatment rooms, training kitchens and arts and crafts, dance and music rooms. A second phase of the project includes a new ‘sports dome’ with two football pitches and a tennis court, which is expected to be completed this autumn. The new building was designed after a thorough 12-month consultation, involving community workshops and extensive dialogue with users of both facilities, to ensure local people had the chance to shape their building. The focal point of the centre’s interior is a naturally-lit, timber-clad triple height entrance atrium that serves as a flexible events space for the community, and also houses a café. To reflect changing trends in sport and recreation, multi-purpose spaces have been designed in throughout, giving the flexibility to meet changing levels of demand throughout the year while catering for local sports club requirements. Ian Cooney, Project Director at Holmes Miller said: “As the design of health and wellbeing facilities adapts and evolves to ensure local authorities can provide good value for their communities, Allander is a leading project and representative of this new trend. “When we were asked to bring leisure and adult day care facilities together into one inclusive community hub, we saw this as a chance to break down barriers and make a real difference to the lives of many different groups of users.” Nada Shehab, Project Architect at Holmes Miller added: “We wanted to create a distinctive and timeless design that is welcoming, open, and of civic architectural quality – with a calm and simply designed internal environment. By collaborating closely with East Dunbartonshire Council and our partners, at the new Allander Leisure Centre we have delivered facilities that we hope will give local people an exceptional quality of experience and improve lives, both now and in the future.” Councillor Gordan Low, Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, added: “The new leisure centre gives people the chance to have fun, get fit and improve their health – both physically and mentally. I’m pleased the project also includes services and facilities for adults with learning disabilities. This is a great facility which will benefit people across East Dunbartonshire.” The project is being delivered as part of the Scape- Major Works UK Framework. The project team also includes McLaughlin & Harvey (main contractor), Harley Haddow, Davie & McCulloch, Barton Willmore and Brown & Wallace. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool City Council has given the go-ahead to Peel L&P’s plans to develop a Central Park. The proposals include a new public park and essential infrastructure to enable the delivery of approximately 2350 homes. Located within the Central Docks neighbourhood at Liverpool Waters, just south of Collingwood Dock by the historic Tobacco Warehouse, Central Park will become one of the city’s largest green spaces, spanning 1.9 hectares, and will form an important part of the next stage of the Liverpool Waters development. The approved plans also include the creation of a network of public spaces in the Central Docks neighbourhood, with green streets and rain gardens; the delivery of high-quality public realm; and new street infrastructure, such as high-quality footpaths and a variety of street types to support vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Hundreds of trees will also be planted across the Central Docks neighbourhood. The development of this 11ha site will enable and accelerate the delivery of around 2,350 homes over the next 10 years, in line with the Liverpool Waters Central Docks Neighbourhood Masterplan. This planning application and the development it will enable demonstrates the scale of ambition for Liverpool Waters and the transformative impact it will have on this historic brownfield site. Coastal and woodland planting, wetland planting, community gardens and open parkland will all help to create a unique, world class environment at Central Park, celebrating the site’s post-industrial heritage and its coastal locality. The park will also include shelters and canopies, areas for sport, recreation and fitness, and spaces designed to support local wildlife. Connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists between the city centre, Princes Dock, Everton’s new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, and the city’s northern docks will also be significantly improved as part of this development. Central Docks will become the largest of the five planned neighbourhoods in Liverpool Waters and will directly enable the delivery of thousands of new homes, alongside commercial, retail, leisure and community developments over the next ten years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Starbucks has put an end to speculation it could sell its British business with plans to invest £30m here and open 100 new coffee shops. The US hospitality giant, which has 1,066 outposts across the UK, said it would spend millions refurbishing its existing branches over the next three years and opening new branches over the next year, following reports last summer that it was considering selling the business. The company mulled a sale amid rising competition from rivals such as Pret A Manger and high inflationary pressures. The company said at the time it was “not in a formal sale process”. The investment plans signal that Starbucks is committed to Britain for now. Accounts filed with Companies House show Starbucks’s UK sales rose by 37pc to £449m last year, surpassing pre-pandemic revenues for the first time. However, pre-tax profits dropped by a fifth to £10.4m as the climbing cost of everything from coffee beans to cups and energy ate into margins. Starbucks also gave its baristas a pay rise last year, reflecting intense competition in the labour market and a cost of living squeeze on workers. As costs soared last year, Stabucks raised the price of some espresso drinks and iced beverages by approximately 4pc. Duncan Moir, president of Starbucks Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), said: “Whilst we are cautious about the macro-economic environment, we will continue to invest to grow the region this year. We plan to open over 100 new stores in the UK and 300 new stores in EMEA, to continue this growth momentum.” New stores will be a mixture of company-owned branches and franchised stores. Starbucks owns about 30pc of its outlets directly in the UK, with the remaining 70pc run by franchisees. Mr Moir said the coffee chain wanted to open “digitally-forward smaller stores” and more drive-throughs. The business recently announced a new range of drinks in Italy called Oleato, which are coffee beverages with extra virgin olive oil. The unusual drinks are expected to launch in the UK over coming months. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Proposals for Kirklees Council’s £210 million Cultural Heart development, which is set to transform the heart of Huddersfield town centre, were approved by the Local Planning Authority. With approval now secured, construction of the first phase of the scheme is set to get underway in Spring 2024. Initial works will concentrate on the major refurbishments of the historic Queensgate Market, as well as the creation of a brand-new outdoor public square. The Grade II Listed Queensgate Market building will be sensitively adapted to become a vibrant food hall, with space for around ten independent food stalls. Centred around large communal seating areas, the food hall will be a new social focal point for the town centre and will help provide activity in the area throughout the day and into the evening. Within the same building will be a new contemporary library venue. Designed with the town’s community needs in mind, this flexible, glass-fronted building will feature group meeting amenities, quiet breakout rooms, a dedicated children’s area, a local history room, computer facilities and more. Once complete, a special event space and terrace on the top floor of the library will look out over the scheme’s landmark new public square – an attractive outdoor space with water features that will double up as a destination for community and cultural events and will look out over the park. To enable these initial works, a section of the existing Piazza building along Princess Alexandra Walk will need to be demolished. The remainder of the Piazza building will stay in place until demolition is required to progress work onsite, with units including Boots and WHSmith also staying open during this period. “The Cultural Heart is all about delivering genuine long-term community assets, where friends and families can gather, relax and socialise. We are in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and we understand that times are challenging right now for many. This reinforces our ambition to grow our town centre offer and give people more reasons to visit and spend time here. The public square, food hall, museum and library will be amazing new spaces that provide free and low-cost activities – ultimately bringing our diverse community closer together,” commented Leader of Kirklees Council, Councillor Shabir Pandor. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The planning team at law firm Irwin Mitchell has advised Millwall FC on its plans to build a new training ground in West Kingsdown, near Brands Hatch in Kent- which has now been granted full planning permission. The Championship football club now has the green light to erect new state of the art facilities on a 50-acre plot, that the club says will be “amongst the best in the country.” Sevenoaks Council originally approved the plans for the construction of a training academy last October, but full permission was only granted today, following the signing of a s106 agreement. The site, off Fawkham Road will include buildings for groundsman and security, indoor and outdoor football pitches, artificial turf and training areas, as well as car and cycle parking and hard and soft landscaping. The planning team advising on the scheme include Nicola Gooch, Planning partner, and Erica Ives at Irwin Mitchell, working with Joe Selby of Selby Projects and Rebecca Burnhams of Quod. Nicola Gooch said, “We are excited that this project can now proceed and Millwall can create the state-of-the-art training complex which reflects the club’s long-term ambitions. The facility will help the club in its push to the Premier League and to develop the young players that will keep them there. It has been a long and complex process and we wish the club every success going forward.” More information about the new training ground site and the club’s extensive plans is found by clicking here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work is to commence on the Kingsgate development in Huddersfield. Supported by Kirklees Council, developer WD Kingsgate will make major changes to the centre bringing cinema and engaging leisure activities to the offering, alongside the existing shops. Work to redevelop the 90,000 square foot, former House of Fraser store will begin in early March, with a target opening date for the complex of September 2024. “We are committed to helping businesses thrive in Kirklees and I am delighted that the council has worked very closely with WD Kingsgate to help them to deliver this scheme. Kingsgate is a key destination within the town centre, and the redevelopment will complement the existing shops and become an important family-friendly leisure destination. The developer’s vision for the project is in line with our own Blueprint ambitions for the town centre and will help create the perfect mix of retail, culture and leisure,” said Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration. The Kingsgate Centre is a key focus of Huddersfield’s town centre offer and is in a prime location next to the council’s planned Cultural Heart project. These complementary projects will transform the leisure offering in the town centre and improve the experience for residents and visitors alike. The cinema and leisure proposition will be operated by The Light, who already operate 12 other venues across the country with another opening in Surrey this year. The Light will offer six state of the art cinema screens, ten bowling lanes, alongside a variety of other leisure activities and food offerings which will be revealed in the lead up to the opening. “I am grateful for the council’s support in delivering this scheme. We are excited about bringing a high-quality cinema in to Huddersfield town centre alongside a variety of other food and leisure outlets. Our redeveloped centre will create a new destination within the town centre that gives the opportunity to shop, eat and see the latest films all within a stone’s throw of the other planned town centre developments,” added Peter Everest of WD Kingsgate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GMI Construction Group has completed a 27,802 sq. ft Premier Inn in the Lake District tourist hotspot of Keswick. Operated by Premier Inn’s parent company, Whitbread, the 71-bedroom hotel is at High Hill, on the site of the former Ravensfield Residential Care Home. The latest addition brings Premier Inn’s presence to six hotels the in the Cumbria/ Lake District region, the others being in Cockermouth, Kendal, Penrith, Whitehaven, and Ulverston. Premier Inn estimates the Keswick hotel – which opened its doors on Monday 13th February – will host 30,000 overnight stays per year, with guests expected to generate around £1.8m per year in additional visitor expenditure. GMI Construction Group was appointed principal contractor by Whitbread’s development partner, Premcor. As part of its commitment to supporting the Cumbrian supply chain, GMI engaged local contractors whenever possible and used locally sourced products and materials. Designed to be in keeping with the area, the hotel features locally quarried natural slate roofing and Lakeland stone walling, which wraps around the corners of the facade. Facilities include a ground floor reception area, an in-house restaurant and bar, on-site car parking spaces, including EV charging points, and cycle lockers. As well as the very latest ‘standard’ bedroom, the hotel also offers 12 ‘enhanced’ Premier Plus rooms. Premier Inn has created 24 permanent jobs at the hotel, which is within walking distance of Keswick, and is currently recruiting a further two roles. Karl Hetherington, the manager of Premier Inn Keswick, said: “Opening a new hotel is always a big moment. It is even more special when you have a connection to the local area like I do in Keswick. “I am very proud of the team we have recruited to run the hotel with me, many of whom are from Keswick and the local area, and I know they will do an excellent job of welcoming our guests and giving them the warm Premier Inn welcome we are known for.” Marc Banks, GMI’s Divisional Managing Director North West, said: “This is a quality development that has been delivered to Premcor and Whitbread’s exacting standards and is designed to be very much in keeping with the local area. It’s certainly one of the most scenic locations that we’ve ever built a hotel and we trust it will make a significant contribution to the local economy over the coming years.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pre-construction work has officially started on the multi-million-pound planetarium at Sherwood Observatory Science Discovery Centre in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. Leading midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson has been appointed through Scape’s Beyond the Public Sector framework to complete pre-construction design and planning, with the state-of-the-art centre expected to be completed and fully operational by autumn 2024. Working alongside SCAPE, one of the UK’s leading public sector procurement authorities, has enabled the client to accelerate the delivery of the scheme through early contractor involvement with G F Tomlinson. The development will transform a disused underground Victorian reservoir, which was dug in the 1880s, into an education centre for school and group visits, and will feature an exhibition hall, classrooms, a café and meeting rooms, as well as the state-of-the-art planetarium. The reservoir will have a new structure built above it, to increase the useable space and transform the existing structure into a habitable and unique building. The scheme aims to inspire interest and careers in STEM learning, as well as increasing footfall to the local area. Plans were submitted to Ashfield District Council by Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society, in November, following aspirations to increase annual visitor numbers from 3,000 to 20,000. Funds for the project have recently been awarded through a contribution of £3.1 million from the government’s Levelling Up Fund Round 2. Further funds were also secured through the council’s £62.6 million Towns Fund. Craig Stopper, framework construction manager at G F Tomlinson, said: “We feel very privileged to have been chosen as the main contractor, by Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society, to lead on such an exciting and unique project, and what promises to be a pivotal tourism and educational attraction. “The multi-million-pound scheme will attract thousands of visitors to the region and raise not only awareness of the local area and the history of the site, but STEM career opportunities for future generations. We very much look forward to bringing the vision for this planetarium to life.” Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, said: “The Sherwood Observatory will not only breathe new life into the local community but will provide exceptional social value by inspiring interest in STEM learning careers. “We are, therefore, delighted to be working closely on such a special project with our partner, G F Tomlinson and Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society, via our SCAPE Beyond the Public Sector Framework. Our delivery teams will be instrumental in ensuring efficiency, time and cost savings throughout.” Dr Steve Wallace at Sherwood Observatory said: “We have been eagerly anticipating this moment for several years and it’s great to have reached the point where we are able have G F Tomlinson join the team. We believe that the young people in our area should be afforded the same opportunities for extracurricular enrichment as those from more affluent areas. “The new Centre greatly increase the capacity of the observatory, to deliver outreach, and will help to inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers from across the region, thereby supporting jobs growth and prosperity.” Cllr Matthew Relf, executive lead member for regeneration and corporate transformation, said: “This is such a fantastic project that will help supercharge the astronomical society’s brilliant work on engaging young minds with STEM subjects, lighting a fire in our next generation of scientists and engineers. “It’s one of the many interconnected projects – covering health and wellbeing, tourism, skills and jobs and urban regeneration – that are coming to Ashfield over the next few years as part of our ambitious regeneration programme to turn around decades of neglect. These projects will benefit not just Ashfield but the broader region too. Yet another great reason to Discover Ashfield.” To find out more about G F Tomlinson and its projects, please visit: https://gftomlinson.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning company appointed main contractor for major redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd in Wales Leading construction and fit-out company Gilbert-Ash has been appointed main contractor for the £38million redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd in Mold, North Wales. The construction, which is planned for completion in late 2024, aims to set a high bar in delivering a stand-out cultural space with zero carbon emissions. It also sees Gilbert-Ash reunite on a theatre project with architects Haworth Tompkins and Project Directors Plann. Gilbert-Ash was the main contractor in 2014 when Haworth Tompkins won the Stirling Prize for the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool. The Theatr Clwyd project includes the major refurbishment of the existing theatre which will see the 1970s building being stripped right back to its shell. In addition, there will be a new build construction of a timber foyer extension to the front and carpentry workshop to the rear. Works also include new MEP systems, windows, roof coverings and theatre technical systems. Once complete, the building, which was originally designed as a TV production space and theatre, will provide multiple platforms for performance, music and community use. Every effort has been made to minimise the building’s carbon footprint during the redevelopment while several design elements have been included with the aim of meeting a whole life zero carbon target for the new building. These include the reconfigured foyer and sun shading canopy being made from larch and reused steel, while existing space will be upgraded and insulated to allow the theatre to run on 100% renewable electricity via air sourced heat pumps and LED lighting. There will also be a programme of tree planting green walls, roof planting and the widespread use of PVs. Gilbert-Ash Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson, said the company was delighted to be once again working on a project which has been designed by Haworth Tompkins. He said: “This is a truly exciting project, and we are looking forward to working closely with Haworth Tompkins and our Client, Flintshire County Council and Theatr Clwyd Trust in making these ambitious designs a reality. “I believe this will be another stand-out project in our portfolio and one which could have the power to make people re-think how cultural spaces are constructed in the future. “This will be a building which will serve as a real hub for the performing arts in this region and one which, through its intelligent design, will have only a minimal impact on the environment. “Annually, the theatre attracts over 200,000 paying visitors and plays an important role in the community with its outreach programmes. The redevelopment will enhance the experience for all visitors and provide a significant economic impact in the region. Gilbert-Ash has a unique approach to construction, fit-out and refurbishment based on the belief that great buildings come about through hard work, inspired innovation and genuine collaboration. Sustainability is a key focus for Gilbert-Ash with a number of initiatives underway to help the company to drive down its carbon footprint. To find out more about Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbert-ash.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mollie’s bedrooms feature Conran furniture and lighting, oak lined walls, terrazzo tiles and chrome finishes. Indulgent cotton sheets and handcrafted Hypnos mattresses deliver a restful night’s sleep. Bathrooms are fitted with powerful rain showers, luxurious Cowshed products, fluffy towels and the latest Dyson and GHD hair appliances. The Mollie’s app opens a raft of benefits for an enhanced guest experience, including free access to the hotel’s on-site Electric Vehicle high-speed charging bays, and Mollie’s Diner is a modern all-day hang-out serving up contemporary, seasonal cooking for solo travellers or families, friends and lovers. With a setting that hints at a classic diner style, but reinvented with elegant vintage inspired lighting, sleek tiling, comfortable banquettes, warm wood and chrome fittings and lots of natural light, Mollie’s has guests covered. Guest-focused Technology The whole customer journey has been carefully thought through, with an effortless, digital-led experience that simplifies the entire guest journey and stay. The Mollie’s app opens a raft of benefits for an enhanced guest experience. Guests can check in online or via the app and have their room key delivered to their phone wherever they are and when it’s convenient for them. Electric Vehicle charging bays can be pre-booked, free-of-charge, before arrival and there’s 24-hour online chat support with the friendly reception team, in multiple languages. In-room, 50-inch Smart TVs come as standard. Guests’ phones automatically pair with the TV as a remote, casting their personal Netflix or Spotify account directly to the screen and syncing with the super-fast complimentary Wi-Fi, for the ultimate and seamless relaxing at-home experience. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
