A HIGHLY-ANITICPATED £9.5 million project to modernise Lichfield’s leisure centre provision has begun in Stychbrook Park, with complete construction partner Stepnell appointed to undertake the design and build by Lichfield District Council.  Procured through the Procure Partnerships Framework, the work will deliver a brand-new centre in a bid to support the diverse health and wellbeing needs of Lichfield’s residents. This includes a 25 metre, six-lane pool, bathrooms, changing rooms, circulation spaces, a gym, fitness/dance studio, spin studio and lobby, as well as associated works including plant and stores.  The new centre will replace the ageing Friary Grange Leisure Centre and will offer provisions to cater for all abilities.   Stepnell will dedicate significant time on the project to social value delivery through continued engagement with the local community. As is standard practice for its range of projects within both the private and public sector, the Stepnell team will work closely with the local supply chain, utilising the expertise of the local area.  To ensure this continued collaboration, dedicated monthly notice boards, newsletters, drop-in sessions and leaflet drops will all be undertaken across the duration of the project, which is set to complete in late 2025.   Adrian Barnes, regional director at Stepnell said: “Following an in-depth procurement process, our appointment to Stychbrook Park is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with Lichfield District Council and add to the growing expertise within the leisure sector.   “As with all our projects, our teams are committed to delivering a strong level of collaboration and communication with the local community and will actively seek engagement throughout the build process to ensure the end result is something the whole community can be proud of.  Alongside Stepnell, the project team also includes architecture firm Box Architects, civil and structural engineers Adept, and building services design, BWB Consulting.  Doug Pullen, leader at Lichfield District Council said: “I’m delighted that this long-awaited project is now underway, and we are delivering on our promise to deliver a brand-new leisure centre for Lichfield. This project has been shaped by the community since the very beginning – I’m confident it will serve our district well for many years to come.”  Further works to construct a new car park and collection of 3G pitches is set to be undertaken in the near future.   To find out more about Stepnell, visit www.stepnell.co.uk, or join in the conversation at @Stepnellltd Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hotel business and owner of Premier Inn, has begun construction of its latest hotel development in Manchester at Rochdale Road to the north of the city centre. GMI Construction Group, which Whitbread appointed as principal contractor to the project in July 2024, will lead the delivery of the 229-bedroom 10-storey Premier Inn.  The company marked the start of construction with a ground-breaking event on-site. Whitbread acquired the consented Rochdale Road development site from Premcor in February 2024 as part of its ongoing strategy of investing in strategic locations where its hotel brands are under-represented. The hotel will feature Premier Inn’s very latest bedroom product, including its popular enhanced Premier Plus rooms, with a stylish integrated restaurant, bar, and reception space on the ground floor. Will Steward, Project and Programme Manager for Whitbread, said: “Manchester is a hot spot for Whitbread’s development team as we expand our hotel network in the places we want to grow.  The Rochdale Road Premier Inn will bring our very best product to the north of the Northern Quarter – an area of the city where we are not heavily represented and where we know our customers want Premier Inn to be. “As an operating hotel business, our goal is to turn our development sites into popular hotels for our guests quickly. Since acquiring the Rochdale Road site in February, we have done an awful lot to enable the once stalled scheme to proceed including the appointment of GMI Construction as principal contractor in July. “With building work now underway, we are on our way to having a new location for our customers to enjoy in 2026, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to deliver the significant new opening.” Rochdale Road is the latest strategic investment by Whitbread in Manchester this calendar year.  On 23rd September [2024] the company announced its intention to create the largest Premier Inn in the north of England at Manchester Airport with MIX MANCHESTER.  In May, it announced the disposal of its Manchester City Centre (Deansgate Locks) hotel for redevelopment into alternative uses. When it opens its doors, the Premier Inn hotel at Rochdale Road will be one of Whitbread’s largest hotels in Manchester and adds to a portfolio of more than 20 locations across the city. Anthony Judge, Regional director for GMI Construction, said: “Following on from GMI and Whitbread’s collaboration in delivery of the nationally recognised and impressive Premier Inn development in Keswick, its brilliant to see our partnership go from strength to strength. This latest development in the iconic Northern Quarter of Manchester will be a striking new addition to the skyline with its remarkable brickwork façade. We are delighted to be a part of this major project and greatly look forward to progressing with this scheme.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Whitbread, the parent company of Premier Inn, has sold 51 of its restaurants for £56 million as part of a major restructuring plan aimed at refocusing on its more profitable hotel operations. The sale is a key element of Whitbread’s wider strategy to streamline its portfolio and improve cost efficiency. Earlier this year, the company announced plans to divest 126 underperforming Beefeater and Brewers Fayre locations, in response to changing market conditions. Alongside the sales, Whitbread plans to repurpose 112 of these restaurant sites, converting them into additional hotel rooms to drive growth for its Premier Inn brand. The sale of the 51 sites marks an important step in Whitbread’s strategy to enhance profitability, particularly within a challenging hospitality sector. The food and beverage market has seen declining demand, with a notable drop in both business and leisure travel when compared to the post-pandemic surge of the previous year. Although Whitbread reported a total revenue of £1.57 billion for the six months leading up to August 29, its pre-tax profits have dropped by 22%. This decline has prompted the company to intensify its cost-cutting measures, targeting £50 million in annual savings as part of a long-term plan that extends to 2030. Furthermore, concerns over potential increases in employer taxes could add additional pressure on profitability within the industry. Looking ahead, Whitbread is fully committed to expanding its Premier Inn brand. The company has set an ambitious target to increase its room count from the current 86,000 to 125,000 across the UK and Ireland. Additionally, Whitbread is eyeing significant growth opportunities in Germany, which boasts a hotel market 40% larger than the UK. By shedding underperforming restaurant assets and reinvesting in its core hotel operations, Whitbread aims to secure a more streamlined and profitable future amidst an ever-evolving hospitality landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Budget hotel chain Travelodge has unveiled plans for two new hotels on the east coast of England, in Skegness and Harwich, as it continues its expansion across the UK. Contracts have been exchanged for both sites, and construction has already commenced. In Skegness, an 80-room Travelodge is being built on a former crazy golf site on South Parade. The six-storey hotel will feature the chain’s in-house restaurant, Bar Café, located on the top floor with stunning sea views. The development is set to create 30 new jobs in the local area. In Harwich, a 68-room Travelodge is being developed on a six-acre site at Stanton Europark, next to Harwich Port and Enterprise Zone. Both hotels are scheduled to open by summer 2025. The projects are being developed by Burney Group and constructed by Faircloth Construction Ltd. Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director at Travelodge, commented: “We are thrilled to continue the expansion of our hotel network across the UK. These new locations in Skegness and Harwich are fantastic additions to our portfolio, ideally placed for both business and leisure travellers. We’re pleased to be working with Burney Group again, and are confident these hotels will perform well, creating new jobs and supporting the local economies.” Carter Jonas acted as Travelodge’s retained development manager for these projects. Travelodge has plans to open 300 additional hotels across the UK, with further sites targeted in Essex and Lincolnshire. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

TGI Fridays is set to close 35 of its UK branches following a recent rescue deal, despite efforts to save the struggling restaurant chain. The closures come after Hostmore, the former owner of TGI Fridays UK, fell into administration last month. The rescue deal sees Breal Capital and Calveton UK, owners of the D&D London restaurant group, acquiring TGI Fridays UK. While 51 branches will remain open, administrators Teneo have confirmed that 35 restaurants will be shut down immediately as part of the restructuring plan. However, TGI Fridays UK remains hopeful that negotiations with landlords may save some of the closed locations. Julie McEwan, Chief Executive of TGI Fridays UK, expressed optimism for the brand’s future. “TGI Fridays is a much-loved brand with a rich heritage. Today marks the beginning of a positive future for our business, following what has been a very challenging time for the entire casual dining sector,” she said. McEwan also acknowledged the unfortunate impact on the chain’s employees. “We are devastated for our colleagues who will be leaving, and we thank them for their loyalty and contribution. We are doing everything we can to retain as many of our team as possible and to support those affected.” Hostmore’s collapse followed a sharp decline in its share price, which plummeted by over 90% after the company announced it expected to be “wound up” and de-listed following the completion of the restaurant sale. Hostmore had previously agreed to a £177 million deal to acquire its US-based parent company in April. However, the acquisition fell through when the American group lost control of TGIF Funding, the entity holding the franchise agreement royalties. Despite the difficult period, TGI Fridays UK remains confident in its ability to weather the storm, with plans to revitalise the brand and attract both loyal customers and new guests in the months ahead. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hotel operator and owner of Premier Inn, has secured planning permission to develop a 693-bedroom hotel at 5 Strand, just metres away from Trafalgar Square and Nelson’s Column. The new development, approved by Westminster City Council, will be one of London’s largest budget hotels and will operate under Whitbread’s hub by Premier Inn brand. This prime site acquisition is part of Whitbread’s strategy to expand its footprint in London, where a large portion of its future hotel room pipeline is focused. The £200 million-plus investment, which covers construction and related costs, highlights Whitbread’s commitment to bringing affordable accommodation into the heart of the capital and other major UK cities. Mark Anderson, Whitbread’s Managing Director for Property and International, commented: “The hub by Premier Inn brand was launched 10 years ago in St. Martin’s Lane, not far from this new site. Since then, it’s grown into a network of 18 popular hotels across Central London and Edinburgh. The development at 5 Strand showcases how we can evolve the brand in London’s core and leverage our strong balance sheet to secure high-demand, accessible locations. With planning approved, we’re eager to start construction and create a flagship location for our guests.” Whitbread has been making significant investments in London to address the shortage of branded budget hotel rooms. Currently, it operates over 100 hotels within the M25, with 12 more in its development pipeline. The company is also scouting for new sites in 40 locations across inner and outer London for both its Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn brands. The new hotel at 5 Strand will cover 16,000 square metres over 13 storeys and will feature a spacious ground-floor area on the Strand and Northumberland Street. Around 150 team members will be employed at the hotel, with recruitment prioritised in the City of Westminster and surrounding boroughs. The hub by Premier Inn hotels offer compact rooms – around half the size of a standard Premier Inn room – with a modern design, tech-focused amenities, and a relaxed lounge-style food and beverage area. In line with Whitbread’s commitment to achieving net-zero direct emissions by 2040, the 5 Strand hotel will be powered entirely by renewable electricity. This exciting new development is set to provide affordable, centrally located accommodation for visitors to London, further strengthening Whitbread’s presence in the capital’s competitive hotel market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has secured approval for its ambitious £200 million expansion, marking a major development in the history of the Wimbledon Championships. The Greater London Authority (GLA) has given the go-ahead for the project, which will see the construction of 39 new tennis courts and a state-of-the-art 8,000-seat show court on the former site of Wimbledon Park Golf Club. The decision, signed off by Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, highlights the project’s potential to enhance local infrastructure and boost the economy. The expansion will nearly triple the size of Wimbledon’s existing grounds, offering much-needed space for the world-famous tournament to grow. One of the key components of the plan is the addition of a new venue for Wimbledon’s qualifying matches, which are currently held off-site in Roehampton. The new courts will allow up to 10,000 spectators to attend the qualifying rounds, centralising the event and elevating the overall spectator experience. A standout feature of the development is the creation of a 23-acre public park, designed to echo historical landscape aesthetics. This new green space will be open year-round, except during the Championships, and will include a boardwalk and enhanced waterways, providing the local community with a much-needed recreational area. However, the expansion has stirred significant controversy. Campaign groups, including Save Wimbledon Park, have raised concerns about the impact on protected land, arguing that the development risks turning the area into a “huge industrial tennis complex”. Local politicians and residents have also voiced opposition, urging the AELTC to explore alternative solutions that preserve more of the open space. Despite the pushback, the GLA believes the benefits outweigh the concerns, with promises of economic growth, improved facilities, and enhanced public amenities. The AELTC is now moving forward with the next phase of planning and construction, although potential legal challenges from opponents may cause delays. As construction progresses, the iconic Wimbledon Championships look set to expand, securing its future as a premier global sporting event while also promising new public benefits for the local community. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Yotel has announced plans to open its first hotel in Belfast as part of its ongoing European expansion strategy. The £17 million investment will see a 165-bedroom hotel developed in the heart of the city, at Shaftesbury Square, with an expected opening date in 2026, pending planning approval and timely construction. The hotel will feature a variety of amenities, including a food and beverage (F&B) offering, a fitness centre, meeting rooms, and versatile public spaces, aimed at providing a modern and innovative experience for both business and leisure travellers. Rohan Thakkar, Chief Development Officer at Yotel, expressed excitement about the project: “We are delighted to bring Yotel to Belfast, a city that shares our unwavering passion for innovation and creativity. Yotel Belfast represents a significant milestone in our global franchise strategy, marking our 35th signed hotel and increasing our total key count to nearly 8,000. We’re thrilled to partner with Andras Hotels, one of the region’s leading operators.” Rajesh Rana, Director of Andras Hotels, echoed this enthusiasm, highlighting the project’s impact on the local economy: “We’re excited to bring this development to a landmark site in Belfast. The £17 million investment will offer modern accommodation for global visitors while creating high-quality jobs in the community. This project will not only be a major asset to the city’s growing tourism sector but also contribute to the regeneration of Shaftesbury Square. Our architects have designed a building that is both contemporary and respectful of its local surroundings. We’re now in the planning phase and look forward to consulting with the community ahead of development starting in 2025.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals