When refurbishment works began at the Waterside Shopping Centre in Lincoln, the objective was straightforward but ambitious: restore confidence in a tired retail destination by completely transforming its external appearance. Years of exposure had taken their toll on the rendered facades, which were suffering from widespread crazing, cracking and chipping. Large areas were beyond repair, leaving the building looking dated and uninviting. For a city-centre scheme intended to attract new visitors, tenants and hospitality operators, the condition of the exterior simply did not reflect its potential. In 2019 a comprehensive programme of works commenced to revitalise the elevations. The majority of the failed render, measuring approximately 1,100 square metres, was removed and replaced with weberpral M monocouche render, selected for its durability and consistent through-colour finish, complemented by PVCu render beads from Renderplas. High-quality finish Principal contractor Barwin, a specialist in facade restoration and refurbishment with more than three decades of experience, understood that achieving a high-quality render finish depends on more than just the render itself. The detailing defines the result. Over 2,500 linear metres of beads were required across the scheme, including bellcast beads, stop beads, corner beads and movement joint beads. These components would determine the straightness of lines, the sharpness of corners and the long-term durability of vulnerable edges. Although Renderplas PVCu beads were not included in the original specification, Barwin made the deliberate decision to use them. The choice was based on prior experience and confidence in their performance. Inferior beads can distort during installation, corrode over time or compromise the crispness of architectural detailing. On a prominent retail scheme undergoing complete rejuvenation, those risks were not acceptable. Martin Hill, Senior Estimator at Barwin, explains the reasoning clearly: “Renderplas beads complement the quality finish of the render really well. It was a no-brainer to use them. They are readily available and don’t distort or fall apart. They also remain dead straight and give a perfect, crisp finish.” Avoiding rectification work His comments reflect a common challenge within facade refurbishment projects. Contractors are often asked to rectify problems caused by substandard beads that have warped, cracked or rusted, leading to uneven lines and premature failure of the render system. In contrast, Renderplas PVCu beads are engineered to remain straight and dimensionally stable while offering enough flexibility for efficient installation. Their corrosion-proof composition eliminates the risk of rust staining, and their structural integrity supports clean movement detailing and long-term facade performance. Importantly, Renderplas external render beads are fully BBA certified and guaranteed for 25-years or the lifetime of the render system. This assurance provides specifiers, contractors and building owners with long-term confidence that the detailing will perform as intended without costly maintenance interventions. Long-term quality The completed facades at Waterside now present a bright, contemporary backdrop to a revitalised retail and leisure environment. Crisp corners, sharp edges and consistent lines enhance the monocouche finish and contribute to a cohesive architectural appearance. The transformation has helped reposition the centre as an attractive, modern destination, alive with new bars, shops and restaurants. The project demonstrates a fundamental principle of facade construction: long-term quality is achieved through informed material choices. By insisting on Renderplas PVCu beads, even where they were not specified, Barwin ensured that the renewed render system would not only look impressive on completion but remain reliable and resilient for decades to come. The scale of the refurbishment required careful planning and was delivered across five phases. Although scheduled for completion within six months, the works were finished in just five, demonstrating effective coordination and experienced site management. In external rendering, details matter. When corners are executed correctly and movement is properly managed, the entire facade benefits. Renderplas continues to provide the construction industry with durable, BBA-certified PVCu render beads that deliver crisp architectural detailing and lasting performance, ensuring that on projects like Waterside, corners are finished precisely and never cut. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

IKEA has opened a new Plan and Order Point at Kingsway West Retail Park in Dundee, expanding its presence in Scotland. The new location focuses on helping customers plan kitchens, bedrooms and living spaces, offering tailored design consultations. Visitors can book a free appointment with in-store specialists or make use of self-service tools to create their own designs. Customers are able to order from IKEA’s full product range at the site, with options including next-day collection or home delivery. The store also includes a collection point for online orders, as well as a returns service. Kevin Coventry, Market Manager at IKEA, said the new space has been created to inspire customers while showcasing kitchen ranges and smart storage solutions. He added that the aim is to provide affordable home furnishing options suited to a wide range of needs. The Dundee opening is part of IKEA’s broader UK expansion plans. Over the past year, the retailer has launched seven new locations, including city centre stores in London’s Oxford Street and in Brighton, Plan and Order Points in Hull and York, and smaller format retail park stores in Harlow, Norwich and Chester. The new site strengthens IKEA’s footprint in Scotland, complementing its existing stores in Edinburgh and Glasgow, with a further Plan and Order Point planned for Aberdeen. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Marks & Spencer is continuing its push to grow its food business, with plans to open its third new food store in just two weeks. The latest site, located in Farnham, is set to open on Wednesday 25th. The 18,600 sq ft store is one of 12 former Homebase locations currently being redeveloped by the retailer. This follows two recent openings: a 16,000 sq ft store in Luton Bramingham and a 15,000 sq ft food outlet at Hatfield Oldings Corner, both also converted from former Homebase units. These rapid launches form part of M&S’s wider strategy to significantly expand its food division by increasing its store footprint across the UK. The larger format stores allow the retailer to introduce an enhanced in-store experience, including features such as hot chicken counters, bakeries and dedicated coffee areas. Alex Freudmann, Managing Director of M&S Food, said the business is undergoing a major transformation, with a focus on delivering both value and high-quality, innovative products to customers. He explained that securing the right locations with sufficient space is key to offering a broader range suited to families and everyday shopping needs. He added that the company is bringing M&S Food to three new towns this month, with a strong pipeline of further openings planned throughout the year. In addition to new stores, M&S is also investing in its existing estate. Its latest renewal project launched last Thursday at Westway in Chelmsford, following an eight-week refurbishment. Looking ahead, M&S is targeting around 500 locations across the UK for new, larger sites capable of stocking its full food range, with the average store size expected to reach around 18,000 sq ft. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Wickes is planning a major expansion of its UK footprint, targeting up to 300 stores nationwide after delivering stronger than expected financial results for 2025. The DIY retailer, which currently operates around 230 locations, has outlined plans to open between four and five new stores in 2026, alongside a programme of refurbishments covering a further 15 to 20 sites. The pace of expansion is expected to increase significantly from 2028 onwards as the group accelerates its growth strategy. The announcement follows a solid year of performance for the business, during which Wickes opened five new stores and completed 11 refits and refresh projects across its estate. For the year, the company reported revenue of £1.64bn, representing a 5.9% increase on the previous year. Adjusted pre-tax profit rose by 14.4% to £49.9m, while statutory pre-tax profit more than doubled to £48.7m, compared with £23.2m in 2024. Wickes attributed the improved performance largely to continued momentum within its core retail operations, which recorded a 6.5% rise in revenue over the period. The business has been investing in both new locations and the modernisation of existing stores, with a focus on enhancing customer experience and driving long-term returns. Chief executive David Wood said the results reflect consistent progress against the company’s strategy, with its store investment model proving particularly effective. He noted that the strong returns being generated from new openings and refurbishment programmes had given the business confidence to step up investment and pursue further expansion across the UK. The move signals Wickes’ ambition to strengthen its position in the competitive home improvement market by increasing its physical presence while continuing to upgrade its existing estate. With a clear pipeline of new stores and ongoing improvements to its current portfolio, the retailer is positioning itself for sustained growth over the coming years as it works towards its long-term target of a 300-store network. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The retailer’s sales also increased during the period, up 13% year-on-year to £3.3bn. This comes after Mango opened 25 stores in the UK last year, including a second flagship on London’s Oxford Street, and in locations such as  Birmingham, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Belfast, Craigavon (NI), and Cardiff. Speaking to Drapers, Mango’s vice chair and chief expansion and franchise officer Daniel López said: “It is an interesting market for us and we can see a lot of growth. We opened 25 new stores [in 2025] and for the 2026, the forecast is to open 15 more.” He added that the retailer’s bricks and mortar estate was important to bringing it “closer to customers”. “We believe bringing Mango close to customers is what really helps us to be more creative and interact with customers, to guide them and give recommendations,” he added. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Boots is to open its first beauty-only store outside London, choosing Cabot Circus in Bristol as the next location for its specialist retail format. The 11,000 sq ft store will be the second dedicated Boots Beauty concept and forms part of the retailer’s wider strategy to elevate its in-store experience. The new site will feature more than 200 brands across skincare, haircare, fragrance, cosmetics, premium beauty and electrical beauty categories. In addition to product ranges, the store will offer a suite of complimentary services, including skin scans and personalised wellness advice delivered by Boots’ specialist beauty team. The format is designed to provide a more immersive and service-led experience, reflecting changing customer expectations within the beauty and wellbeing sector. Shelley Taylor, senior asset manager at Hammerson, said Cabot Circus had been selected to support Boots’ national growth ambitions, noting strong demand for beauty and wellbeing brands among customers. She added that the new concept would introduce products not previously available in the South West and further strengthen the retail line-up at the scheme. The Bristol launch builds on insights from Boots’ recent store innovations, including its first beauty-only outlet at Battersea Power Station in 2023, the Boots Fragrance Boutique in the City of London and upgraded wellness-focused formats introduced in six stores nationwide. The expansion also aligns with a broader investment programme aimed at modernising the retailer’s estate and enhancing customer engagement. The move follows the recent signing of Sephora at Cabot Circus, with the global beauty retailer set to make its South West debut at the destination. By positioning Bristol as the first regional location for the concept, Boots is signalling confidence in both the format and the city’s retail appeal, as it continues to refine its physical footprint and respond to evolving consumer demand. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

John Lewis Partnership is reportedly exploring plans to buy back a number of Waitrose supermarkets from landlords, as it doubles down on its core retail operations. According to reports in a leading UK broadsheet newspaper, the employee-owned retailer is considering repurchasing certain stores after building up around £1.5bn in cash reserves. While the number of supermarkets under review has not been disclosed, sources close to the business suggest the approach is likely to be selective and opportunistic rather than part of a wholesale acquisition strategy. The potential buyback forms part of a broader repositioning by the group, which has recently stepped away from its previously announced £500m build-to-rent housing programme. That scheme had been designed to diversify income streams, but was abandoned amid shifting economic conditions and a renewed focus on retail fundamentals. Instead, John Lewis Partnership is understood to be concentrating investment on modernising its store estate, strengthening digital platforms and enhancing supply chain efficiency. Reacquiring certain Waitrose sites would give the business greater control over key trading locations and long-term asset strategy, while potentially improving balance sheet resilience. The reported move comes as the retailer signals growing confidence in its turnaround strategy. Recent announcements include a 6.9 per cent pay rise for staff, lifting hourly rates to £13.25 nationwide and £14.80 within the M25. For full-time shop floor colleagues, this could equate to up to £1,600 in additional annual earnings, with the new rates taking effect from 1 April. The renewed emphasis on core retail follows a period of strategic reassessment across the partnership, including the cancellation of large-scale residential development ambitions. By prioritising investment in established brands such as John Lewis and Waitrose, the group appears to be focusing on strengthening its competitive position on the high street and in food retail. While formal details of any property transactions have yet to be confirmed, the reported buyback plans underline a shift towards consolidation and control within the partnership’s retail portfolio as it seeks to build momentum in its recovery strategy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Hammerson’s new chief executive Rob Wilkinson has signalled an upbeat outlook for the retail-led REIT, saying the business has identified “multiple paths for growth” following a record year for leasing activity. For the year ending 31 December 2025, Hammerson secured £51m of leasing income, representing an 18% uplift on a like-for-like basis. The deals were completed at 46% above previous passing rents, and delivered a 13% like-for-like increase when voids are excluded, underlining the strength of demand for well-located, high-performing space. Total net rental income for the period rose by 23% to £180m, supported by like-for-like growth and contributions from joint venture acquisitions. The company also reported a significant uplift in portfolio value, with assets increasing by 33% over 2025 to £3.5bn, and assets under management reaching £4.4bn. Since November 2024, Hammerson has invested £757m across a number of flagship retail-led destinations including Westquay, Brent Cross, Bullring and Grand Central, and The Oracle. The acquisitions were completed at an average yield of 7.6%, reflecting the group’s continued focus on assets where it sees scope to drive performance through active management. Wilkinson, who took over as chief executive at the start of the year following the departure of Rita-Rose Gagné after five years in the role, said the results demonstrate the resilience of best-in-class retail-led city destinations. He pointed to strong leasing performance, high occupancy and improving footfall and sales as drivers of rental growth. He said Hammerson will continue to focus on active asset management and targeted leasing activity, providing strong visibility over income streams. Wilkinson added that the group has a clear line of sight to further growth in rental income, earnings and dividend in the 2026 financial year and beyond, supported by a range of opportunities to build scale and create additional value. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals