RED Construction Group, the specialist main contractor, has announced the completion of the 4-star voco Zeal Hotel at Exeter Science Park, finalising the construction of the UK’s first branded Net Zero Carbon hotel. Innovations in the design and construction mean the hotel is operating with industry-leading benchmark-setting Energy Use Intensity (EUI) levels, a critical measure that will define building sustainability in the decades to come. The 100% electric hotel, with the UK’s first vertical photovoltaic cladding system, generates more solar energy each year than the building consumes, integrated into multiple facades in a way that enhances the hotel’s overall design. Securing a 70% reduction in operational cost energy, the building has an EUI of less than 60kWh/m2/yr, significantly outperforming the CRREM 2050 target of 95kWh/m2/yr. The building has achieved a 50% reduction in embodied carbon, with less than 750kgCO2e/m2, surpassing the LETI and RIBA 2030 targets for embodied carbon established for commercial buildings. Most importantly, the sustainability achievements were realised at no additional cost, with no compromise to quality. Spanning 54,000 sq ft, the £22m milestone project has achieved these industry-leading metrics through a series of principles agreed at design conception: ensuring a fabric first approach to the envelope design; utilising sustainable low-energy solutions and low embodied carbon materials; and the adoption of green renewable technologies. RED Construction Group’s South West division worked alongside the highly collaborative team of voco Zeal Hotels, ECE Westworks, Introba and Hydrock Bristol, from the outset. The completed 4-star hotel comprises 142 bedrooms, a restaurant and bar with private dining, conference facilities and a gym, as well as electric vehicle and electric bike charging points. RED Construction South West Managing Director, Derek Quinn, commented: “This voco Zeal hotel has got to be an exemplar for all new build hotels, highlighting what is achievable when collaboration and ambition meet. The project team dynamic has been crucial in its success, paving the way from the very outset with a BREEAM Outstanding at the design stage. This is a milestone project for all of our careers, and a prototype for what’s possible, evidence of how our expertise can help deliver projects that put the South West’s innovation on the map nationally.” Tim Wheeldon, Founding Director, Zeal Hotels, added: “Celebrating the construction of the UK’s first branded Net Zero Carbon hotel is a moment we are exceptionally proud of at voco Zeal Hotels. Creating a benchmark for the hotel industry on a global scale required a first-class project team, and RED Construction Group has been a brilliant partner to have through this process, bringing their expertise to the project and going above and beyond to achieve not only the sustainability goals, but at a cost that makes new hotels viable, improving our environment without costing more. This is a first for the industry and we are looking forward to collaborating with other hoteliers and developers regarding additional Net Zero Carbon hotels.” This news follows the announcement that RED Construction Group’s London team has been appointed on the second phase of works for The Sheppard Trust’s £21.8m redevelopment of the former Royal Cambridge Home, involving the demolition and redevelopment of a new 62,000 sq ft facility, Elizabeth Court. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Tenpin is bringing its signature mix of bowling and entertainment to Redditch, with a brand-new venue set to open at the Kingfisher Shopping Centre this summer. Spanning 28,500 sq ft, the new site will take over the former B&M and Wilko units on the lower level of the centre. The venue will feature 22 bowling lanes alongside a range of additional attractions, including three escape rooms, laser tag, karaoke rooms, interactive darts, and pool tables. Adding to the experience, a 140-seat bar will offer food, drinks, and live sports, creating a vibrant space for visitors to relax and socialise. A spokesperson for Kingfisher Shopping Centre said: “Tenpin will further enhance our leisure offer, boosting Redditch’s appeal and providing exciting new experiences for both residents and visitors.” Sue Clews, regional manager at Tenpin, added: “We’re thrilled to be opening a new venue in Redditch. With a fantastic range of activities for all ages and occasions, we can’t wait to welcome our first guests through the doors.” KLM Real Estate acted as leasing consultants on behalf of The Gluck Group, owners of Kingfisher Shopping Centre, while Portland Leisure Advisers represented Tenpin. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Whitbread PLC, the parent company of the UK’s largest hotel brand Premier Inn, has added more than 1,000 new guest bedrooms to its growing UK network since March 2024 and the start of its FY24/25 financial year. The 137-bedroom Premier Inn at London Waterloo (North Lambeth) in Central London took the business over the 1,000 new room milestone earlier this month, marking the third new hotel Premier Inn to open in the capital since spring last year. In total, Whitbread has opened seven new Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels in the past eleven months including new locations in Central London, Cambridge, Bristol, York, and Torquay, reflecting the company’s objective of expanding its estate in popular destinations across the UK. Whitbread currently offers its UK customers a choice of more than 85,500 hotel rooms and believes there is the potential for 125,000 rooms in the United Kingdom and Ireland as it takes advantage of a favourable supply backdrop and the continued decline of independent hotels and guest houses. Alex Flach, UK & Ireland Development Director, commented: “The seven new Premier Inn hotels we have opened this financial year showcase Whitbread’s commitment to expanding our presence in desirable, high-demand locations across the UK and Ireland. “All of these new openings, completed since March 2024, are leasehold developments – a testament to the strength and appeal of the Whitbread covenant among our development partners. Notably, three of these hotels were created through the conversion of vacant office buildings, a process that not only revitalises unused spaces but also prevents tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere during construction. “As hotel development becomes ever more complex, Whitbread’s collaborative and flexible approach to identifying and delivering new development opportunities is more critical than ever. Growing our estate across the UK and Ireland remains a top priority for the business, and my team and I are eager to connect with potential partners to secure and deliver the next generation of Premier Inn hotels.” The new hotels opened in Whitbread’s FY24/25 financial year so far include: Whitbread has a detailed network plan for the UK and Ireland of locations where Premier Inn is either unrepresented or where there is potential to increase the brand’s presence.  These include 40 target locations within the M25 – a strategically important growth market for the brand – as well as thirteen target locations in Ireland. At time of publishing its FY24/25 half-year results (October 2024), Whitbread offered its customers a choice of more than 85,500 Premier Inn rooms from 855 locations across the UK & Ireland.  Beyond the UK, the business is growing strongly in Germany where it has built a network of more than 10,000 Premier Inn rooms across the country and is aiming to be the no.1 hotel operator in the country. Find more on the target locations for Premier Inn in the UK and Ireland here: www.whitbread.com/property. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

All of the 36,000 personalised granite stones that will make up the spectacular Everton Way have now been sold.  The paved walkway had been widened due to popular demand along the entire length of the exterior of the south stand at Everton Stadium, expanding earlier this season from the original plan of 28,000 stones which had sold out in 2023.  The final stones were secured by fans just days after work commenced on the huge installation, which will be a focal point for visitors to Everton Stadium – featuring personal messages that celebrate Evertonians’ births, marriages, anniversaries and loved ones.  Anyone who has purchased a stone on Everton Way still has an opportunity to purchase a replica stone, which will be presented in an Everton-branded display box.  These replica stones offer an additional memento, along with the option of a personalised A4 presentation certificate of authentication.   This can be done by logging into your Everton Way account, selecting ‘adding product to booking’ within the order, and choosing the replica option. More information can be found HERE  For supporters who missed out on the chance to be part of Everton Way, there are further opportunities to cement your place at Everton Stadium and be part of history.   The Club’s latest personalisation project, The Everton Fan Wall, offers the opportunity for fans to feature in a wall of ‘originals’, as part of a pictorial mosaic depicting Everton players who have realised unique achievements while representing the club, and those who have truly embodied the Everton spirit on and off the pitch.  Evertonians around the world can submit a photo for inclusion, with all of the personal images pieced together to create a magnificent, supporter-inspired mosaic.  Places on the fan wall are on sale now HERE  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Centre, Livingston is gearing up to welcome Starbucks as its latest addition, with the global coffee giant set to open later this month. Taking a 3,200 sq ft unit with seating for 90 customers, the new Starbucks location is expected to start serving mid-February, adding to the shopping destination’s extensive mix of retailers and eateries. With over 150 stores and restaurants, The Centre already boasts household names such as M&S, River Island, Flannels, H&M, Hotel Chocolat, Wagamama, Nando’s, and Five Guys. Over the past year, the retail hub has also welcomed exciting new arrivals, including Cinnabon, Rituals, Søstrene Grene, Las Iguanas, BeLeaf Juice Bar, Beauty’s Inn, Pop Specs, Buzart, Afro Crest, The Designer Rooms, Loris Parfum, The Watch Lab, Barclays Bank, and Elite Smile Dental Clinic. Adding to the line-up, Hollywood Bowl is set to open a 26,000 sq ft entertainment venue at The Centre next year, reinforcing its position as a top leisure and retail destination. Rakesh Joshi, Director at LCP, part of M Core, said: “We are delighted to kick off 2025 with the opening of Starbucks at The Centre, Livingston, further strengthening our commitment to attracting high-quality brands to the shopping centre. “The past year has been fantastic, with the arrival of international names such as Cinnabon, Rituals, and Søstrene Grene. As we expand into more experience-led activities, we have exciting plans in the pipeline that will enhance the overall visitor experience.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Whitbread Plc, the parent company of Premier Inn, has secured the freehold of 35 Red Lion Square, WC1, with plans to transform the site into a hub by Premier Inn hotel. Situated at the junction of Theobalds Road, Drake Street, and Red Lion Square, the prominent eight-storey, 47,500 sq ft building was purchased from the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) for an undisclosed sum. The property has served as the organisation’s headquarters since 2006. As part of its ongoing London expansion strategy, Whitbread sees strong potential for a 150-bedroom hub by Premier Inn at this prime location. Jonathan Langdon, Senior Acquisitions Manager at Whitbread, commented:“hub by Premier Inn has been a tremendous success since its launch in 2014. We now offer guests 18 fantastic locations—15 of which are in London—and see huge growth potential for the brand.” “The first site we ever opened was an office-to-hotel conversion in Covent Garden, and we’ve successfully delivered many similar projects since. We plan to bring this experience to 35 Red Lion Square, transforming it into a high-quality hotel in a sought-after location.” “Converting underused office buildings into hotels has enabled us to establish hub by Premier Inn in some of London’s most vibrant areas while aligning with Whitbread’s Force for Good sustainability strategy. With this latest acquisition, we look forward to working closely with Camden Council to develop plans that benefit both visitors and the local community.” Expanding in the Capital Whitbread’s purchase of 35 Red Lion Square is part of its wider commitment to growing Premier Inn’s presence across London, where a significant portion of its future development pipeline is focused. The company is actively searching for 40 new locations for Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels within the M25. Designed for high-demand city locations, hub by Premier Inn offers a compact yet stylish format that allows for affordable stays in prime areas while delivering strong long-term returns. Hotel sizes vary, from the 60-bedroom hub by Premier Inn at Bank to the upcoming 690-room flagship hub at 5 Strand, set to open in 2028. Whitbread was advised on the acquisition of 35 Red Lion Square by Frame Real Estate Partners, while the Royal College of Anaesthetists was represented by Newmark. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals