The Doncaster-based chartered surveyors and property consultancy group, Barnsdales, has leased commercial properties an award-winning cybersecurity firm and a retro gaming arcade to create its new flagship store. Barndales successfully let a 14,000 sq ft open-plan property on Doncaster’s bustling high street to the popular gaming entertainment company The Arcade Warehouse. Alongside this, it let a 4,574 sq ft unit in a brand new office building at Carolina Way office park to the IT services and cybersecurity provider, Wavenet.  Jason Barnsdale, Managing Director of Barnsdales, said: “I’m very happy to welcome The Arcade Warehouse and Wavenet into our growing portfolio of commercial property leases throughout Doncaster, South Yorkshire and the UK. “The commercial property market is truly starting to recover from the unsettling impact of a tough few years and these lettings are a testament to the fact that the market is adapting towards experience and infrastructure-led enterprises like these two businesses.” Situated just metres from Doncaster’s historic Mansion House and Frenchgate Shopping Centre, the rental agreement with Barnsdales marks a new era for The Arcade Warehouse – which prides itself on being ‘the UK’s best free-play gaming arcade’.  It now celebrates three years of consistent growth by opening its Doncaster facility, establishing bases across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and Tyne and Wear.  Caton Airey, Regional Manager of The Arcade Warehouse, said: “We’ve been looking to establish a foothold in Doncaster for years now, but the right property was proving quite evasive. Barnsdales showed us around the high street premises and we simply fell in love with it straight away.  “Its layout, location and design make it ideal for our business – which typically involves blacking out windows and retrofitting features to create an immersive gaming experience reminiscent of a 1980s gaming arcade. The proactive and hands-on-the-ground approach from Barnsdales has really sped up the process of installing our games and digital infrastructure and we’re already reaping the benefits of the prime location and excellent transport links.  “Our Doncaster store is now our biggest and most impressive venue, making it our flagship location – we’ve welcomed guests from Sheffield, Leeds, the North East and even London.” Meanwhile, Barnsdales has leased a 4,574 sq ft unit in Chadwick House, a modern office building at Carolina Way Office Park, to the award-winning IT and cyber security provider Wavenet, acting on behalf of the landlord The RG Group. Situated close to the picturesque Lakeside Shopping Village and well-known brands such as BT, The Direct Line Group and the UK’s largest rail freight company, DB Cargo, which Barnsdales also oversees property management for, the location is ideally positioned for rail and road transport links – with access to the A1 (M) accessible via the M18 in just over five minutes. David Dixon, Managing Director of The RG Group, said: “Barnsdales have been instrumental in helping us to successfully let out this prime commercial property. While interest has been intense throughout the marketing period, it was important to us to take on a client we feel is the right fit for this purpose-built space – and Wavenet is just that.” James Humphreys, Surveyor at Barnsdales, added: “We’re very proud to have been trusted with this instruction and are equally proud to have excelled in putting together a deal that the client and tenant are happy with. Truthfully, post-COVID, the office market was predicted to have a potentially bleak future  – but we’re certainly not seeing this become reality. The office market is still very active with a number of deals being done throughout the region and nationally.” Barnsdales has a team of experienced property professionals with offices in Doncaster, Sheffield, Bristol, Cirencester, Manchester, Nottingham, Lincoln, London, and Derby. To learn more, visit www.barnsdales.co.uk or contact the Barnsdales head office on 01302 323 453.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Leisure investor Imbiba has struck a deal with Canary Wharf Group (CWG) to open an impressive 65,000 sq ft development at 12 Bank Street. The new venue, set to open in 2025, will feature a 78-bedroom House of Gods hotel, the vibrant Amazing Grace music venue, a rooftop bar with stunning views over Eden Dock, and a new event space operated by Camm & Hooper. The Eden Dock itself has been designed as a lush urban oasis, offering access to the water and promoting green spaces to enhance biodiversity within the Canary Wharf area. Stuart Fyfe, Managing Director of Retail, Leisure, and Hospitality at CWG, said, “Imbiba will deliver a spectacular new 65,000 sq ft hospitality and leisure venue at Canary Wharf. Their line-up of world-class brands will further enhance evening entertainment, event venues, and bring another hotel to the Wharf. We are continually elevating the offer at Canary Wharf across retail, leisure, and hospitality, curating a thriving seven-day destination for workers, residents, and visitors alike. Visitor numbers are at an all-time high, up 7.5% year-to-date, with 67.2 million visitors in 2023, and we’re seeing strong demand across our retail, leisure, and hospitality spaces with 97% occupancy.” Kieran Sherlock, Partner and Property Director at Imbiba, added, “Imbiba has a long-standing and successful partnership with CWG, and this investment builds on that foundation. Canary Wharf is transforming into a world-class destination for hospitality and leisure, and we’re excited to bring our cutting-edge concepts to this remarkable building in the heart of the area.” Imbiba boasts over 25 years of investment and operational experience, with a portfolio that includes Farmer J, Pizza Pilgrims, F1 Arcade, 1Rebel, Little Houses Group, Clays, and House of Gods. This new venture is set to further cement Canary Wharf as a leading destination for leisure and entertainment in London. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The hotel development boom in Leeds city centre continues with Whitbread PLC, the parent company of Premier Inn and the UK’s largest hotel chain, acquiring a prime office building for redevelopment. This latest move reinforces the company’s commitment to expanding its footprint in high-demand locations. Whitbread has purchased the freehold of a 42,000 sq ft office building in the South Bank area of Leeds, a stone’s throw from Leeds Railway Station. The building, constructed in 2000, is ideally situated for conversion into a Premier Inn hotel, with plans for a 120-bedroom facility, subject to planning permission. The proposed redevelopment will see the L-shaped building retrofitted and potentially extended to accommodate the hotel. Whitbread’s expertise in converting office buildings into budget-friendly hotels has made this acquisition an exciting opportunity for the company. Jill Anderson, Acquisitions Manager at Whitbread, expressed her optimism: “Whitbread has a proven track record in transforming office spaces into successful budget hotels. This approach not only meets the growing demand in cities like Leeds, where development opportunities are limited, but it also offers environmental benefits by repurposing existing buildings and reducing the carbon footprint associated with new construction.” Anderson highlighted the building’s prime location: “Verity House is perfectly positioned, being just a short walk from the station and close to all the amenities in Leeds city centre. It complements our existing network of eight Premier Inns across the city and demonstrates our willingness to invest in prime freehold locations, even when planning and development risks are involved. I’m eager to collaborate with Leeds City Council on this project to unlock the full potential of the site.” The acquisition of Verity House boosts Whitbread’s development pipeline in Leeds city centre to two locations, with over 250 additional hotel rooms planned. The company already offers eight Premier Inn sites across Leeds, including at Leeds Bradford Airport. Further east in the city, Whitbread is also the chosen hotel operator for the Leeds Kirkgate redevelopment, spearheaded by Leeds City Council. Scheduled to open soon, this site will offer 143 bedrooms along with a bar and restaurant for guests, following planning approval granted in December 2023. In the Verity House transaction, Whitbread was represented by WSB property consultants, while the vendor was advised by Commercial Property Partners. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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