FMX Urban Property Advisers has successfully secured eight new locations across London for Marks & Spencer’s growing food hall concept. Over the past six months, FMX has secured sites in: A spokesperson for FMX commented: “With several more deals nearing exchange this quarter and additional locations in legal negotiations, we remain focused on expanding the M&S Food Hall footprint. We are actively seeking further opportunities, whether leasehold, freehold, development sites, land parcels, high street units, retail park locations, or standalone premises.” Towards the end of last year, M&S announced its intention to accelerate its store expansion strategy. FMX is encouraging property owners and developers with suitable locations to get in touch with its team members David Justice, Henry Foreman, and Howard Quigley to discuss potential opportunities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield is set for a major retail boost as JD Sports, Superdrug, and Ann Summers commit to significant store expansions. These latest leasing deals will see the three brands increase their combined retail space to an impressive 42,278 square feet. JD Sports is making a bold move by nearly tripling its footprint on the Lower Level High Street. The sportswear giant will merge five adjacent units to create a flagship 29,225-square-foot store, set to be the largest in the region and the second biggest in the country when it opens in 2026. Meanwhile, Superdrug is relocating to a 10,199-square-foot unit within Meadowhall, making it one of the retailer’s largest stores nationwide. The new space is set to open in late May and will feature an expanded range of health and beauty products. Ann Summers is also upsizing, moving into a 2,854-square-foot unit on the Lower Level High Street. The new store promises an enhanced shopping experience with a refreshed layout and updated design. These expansions come following a period of significant investment in Meadowhall. Last year, British Land sold its 50% stake in the shopping centre to Norges Bank Investment Management for £360 million, giving the sovereign wealth fund full ownership of the retail destination. British Land continues to manage the asset. Richard Crowther, retail leasing director at British Land, said: “Meadowhall continues to attract strategic investment from leading national and international brands. JD Sports, Superdrug, and Ann Summers are the latest tenants to reaffirm their commitment to the centre, following 26 retailers that have invested over £30 million in their stores over the past year. These substantial lease agreements will further elevate Meadowhall’s Lower High Street as part of a centre that dominates the regional retail landscape.” James Air, director of group acquisitions at JD Sports, added: “I am absolutely thrilled that we will be delivering one of our largest stores in Europe at Meadowhall. With over 60 metres of frontage in a prime location, I am confident this will be one of our very best stores.” This wave of retail investment follows the recent announcement that beauty brand Sephora UK has chosen Meadowhall as the location for its first Yorkshire store, set to open this summer. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Ikea is set to open its long-awaited Oxford Street store next month, following an 18-month delay due to complex renovations. Located at 214 Oxford Street, the former Topshop flagship site has undergone a major transformation to house the Swedish retailer’s latest London outlet. Spanning three storeys, the 62,500 sq ft space will feature showrooms displaying 6,000 products, with 3,500 available for immediate takeaway. A 130-seat deli will also be part of the offering. The site has been under renovation for three years after Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ikea’s parent company, acquired the Grade II-listed, 238,958 sq ft building for £378m in 2021. The extensive refurbishment has included replacing fossil fuel gas-fired boilers with energy-efficient air-source heat pumps, installing secondary glazing, and restoring the building’s historic façade. Originally slated to open in autumn 2023, the launch was pushed back due to the complexities of the redevelopment. Ikea has now confirmed the store will open on 1 May, following the closure of its Hus of FRAKTA pop-up concept store. Peter Jelkeby, chief executive and chief sustainability officer at Ikea UK, said: “London is an iconic shopping destination, and we are thrilled to now have a home in its centre. Ikea Oxford Street’s location complements our network of stores in London – and beyond – and allows us to be closer to where our customers live, work and shop, while importantly being easily accessible by foot or public transport.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Planning Application Submitted For New Unit With Integrated Convenience Store Citrus Durham has agreed a deal with EG On The Move (EGOTM) for a new £4 million petrol station with a convenience store and separate Starbucks drive-thru at the £400m mixed-use Integra 61 development at J61 of the A1(M). EGOTM is a leading petrol station, convenience retail including food services operator which owns and operates around 50 sites across the UK. The £4m investment at Integra 61 will deliver a new petrol station with a convenience store and various foodservice brand offers including a separate Starbucks drive thru coffee shop to serve both the emerging business and residential communities, and users of the wider road network. The new scheme will also be creating approximately 70 jobs. EGOTM has submitted a planning application to Durham County Council and expects to open the site for trade in mid-late 2026. Following on from the launch in February of Tesla UK’s 19 new Superchargers at Integra 61 and a recent deal to KFC, the new EGOTM offering will also sit alongside existing roadside occupiers Greggs and Costa Coffee drive-thru units. Integra 61 is a logistics-led mixed use scheme at J61 of the A1(M) and is home to Amazon’s 2 million sq ft Fulfilment Centre, with over 1,000 employees on site. A further 640,000 sq ft of speculative logistics space in 5 units, known as Connect at Integra 61, has completed on site. Serviced plots are available on the remainder of the site to accommodate a wide range of unit sizes to suit occupier-specific requirements. The 205 acre site, which has the potential to create over 3,000 jobs and add £2 billion to the regional economy over the next 10 years, has consent to deliver some 260 new homes, a new hotel, nursery, family pub/restaurant, vehicle dealerships and trade counter/retail units. Peta Pank, Acquisitions Manager, EG On the Move, said: “Our £4 million investment plans for Integra 61 form part of EG On the Move’s expansion strategy and commercial strategy to deliver more new-to-industry sites across the country’s busy road network. We are looking forward to progressing plans for this exciting addition to our portfolio.” David Cullingford, Head of Development at Citrus, said: “This new deal with EGOTM will be an excellent addition to our roadside offering here at Integra 61. We anticipate a busy year ahead with lots of activity on site and are looking forward to seeing the works progress.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Screwfix has announced plans to open 35 new stores across the UK and Ireland by the end of January 2026, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its retail network and improving accessibility for tradespeople. A significant number of the new locations will feature the retailer’s compact ‘Screwfix City’ format, designed for high-footfall urban areas. This follows the successful launch of seven ‘City’ stores in the year leading up to January 2025, catering to the needs of busy tradespeople who require quick and convenient access to supplies. The new stores will also offer Screwfix Sprint, a rapid delivery service that enables customers to receive products at home or on-site in under an hour. John Mewett, chief executive of Screwfix, said:“We’re proud to continue Screwfix’s amazing growth with our plans to open up to 35 new stores within the next twelve months. “Despite the challenges facing the retail industry, investing in our store network remains central to how we can best support tradespeople to get their jobs done quickly, affordably, and right first time. “Our customers continue to be busy, and we know how important it is to be near a Screwfix store. We are driving forward with our store openings and continuing to focus on providing the ultimate convenience for our customers through our ultra-compact store format, Screwfix City, and rapid delivery service, Screwfix Sprint.” The expansion highlights Screwfix’s commitment to supporting the trade industry by providing faster access to tools and materials, ensuring professionals can work efficiently and effectively. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Marks & Spencer is set to open a new food hall on Clapham High Street, taking over the former Eco Restaurant and Superdrug premises at 156-164 Clapham High Street. The retailer has secured a 20-year lease for the unit, which includes approximately 8,300 sq ft of ground floor retail space and an additional 3,400 sq ft of basement storage. Conveniently located next to Clapham Common Tube Station, the store is scheduled to open in September and will follow M&S’s popular ‘food hall’ format, similar to its branches in Brixton and St John’s Road, Clapham Junction. Eco Restaurant has relocated to a new venue at 73 Venn Street. The deal was facilitated by GCW on behalf of the landlord, Eco Group, while FMX represented M&S. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Australian homewares giant Harvey Norman is set to strengthen its UK footprint with the opening of a new store and headquarters at The Gracechurch Centre in Royal Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham. The move follows the retailer’s successful launch in England at Merry Hill in October 2024 and marks the next step in a series of planned investments across the West Midlands as part of its broader UK and global expansion strategy. Founded in 1982, Harvey Norman has grown into an international retail powerhouse, operating more than 300 stores worldwide across Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Slovenia, Croatia, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland. Katie Page, CEO of Harvey Norman, highlighted the region’s appeal: “The West Midlands’ high-quality retail space and excellent connectivity are key reasons we have chosen Sutton Coldfield as the home of our new UK headquarters and our next store. Gracechurch will provide a fantastic hub for our growing UK team, and I look forward to returning to the region as we advance our expansion plans.” The new opening is part of a wider regeneration initiative led by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), which is backing a multi-million-pound investment to revitalise The Gracechurch Centre. The redevelopment plans include new homes alongside enhanced leisure, retail, and commercial spaces. West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker welcomed the investment: “Harvey Norman’s decision to set up in Sutton Coldfield is a huge boost for the area. It proves that our high streets can thrive again, creating jobs and giving people more reasons to visit, shop, and socialise. “With new jobs and homes on the horizon, we are delivering real opportunities and making this town an even better place to live and work.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Gym Group has announced plans to open between 14 and 16 new sites in 2025, building on strong revenue growth in the past year. The expansion is part of the operator’s broader strategy to launch around 50 new gyms over three years. Last April, Savills was appointed to support its property search and expansion efforts. With approximately 245 locations across the UK, The Gym Group added 12 new sites in 2024, including venues in Orpington, London Euston Road, Manchester Oxford Road, Welwyn Garden City, and several key London areas such as Plaistow, East Ham, Bromley-by-Bow, Shepherd’s Bush, and Elephant and Castle. The company’s financial results for 2024 highlight a positive trajectory, with revenue reaching £226.3 million, an 11% increase year on year. Adjusted pre-tax profit improved significantly, rising to £3.6 million from a £5.5 million loss in 2023. Free cash flow also saw a notable boost, increasing to £37.5 million by year-end, up from £27 million in 2024. Will Orr, CEO of The Gym Group, said: “This strong set of results demonstrates solid progress against our Next Chapter growth plan. Membership, revenue, and profit have all increased, reinforcing our market-leading position in a sector that continues to expand. “We will continue to build on initiatives launched in 2024 while introducing new strategies for 2025, with a strong focus on leveraging technology and data to drive future growth. Given our momentum, we are confident in meeting the top end of recently revised analyst forecasts for 2025. We also remain on track to achieve our target of opening around 50 high-quality gyms over three years, funded entirely through free cash flow.” With a growing member base and a commitment to accessible, high-quality fitness facilities, The Gym Group is set to strengthen its position as a leading force in the UK’s health and wellness sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Domino’s Pizza Group (DPG) has announced plans to open more than 50 new stores across the UK in 2025, as it continues to capitalise on long-term growth opportunities. The group, which operates 1,372 stores in the UK and Ireland, has secured a five-year framework agreement with its franchise partners to drive expansion. This follows a strong performance in 2024, during which it opened 54 new stores across 21 franchise networks. Despite a slight 0.4% year-on-year decrease in revenue, bringing the total to £664.5 million for the year ending 29 December 2024, DPG continued to make strategic investments. It spent £62 million acquiring the remaining 85% stake in Shorecal Limited, the largest Domino’s franchisee in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and completed the sale of its corporate store estate in London for £34.8 million. DPG CEO Andrew Rennie highlighted the company’s progress, stating: “Our results reflect the strength of our long-term strategy. We’ve reinforced our competitive position, secured a new agreement with our franchise partners, and expanded our store network. As the year progressed, our trading momentum increased, our delivery channel returned to growth, and we achieved strong underlying earnings.” He added: “In 2024, we made disciplined investments to fuel growth, including the acquisition of Shorecal in Ireland and DP Poland. We also reinvested funds from store disposals to strengthen our position. Looking ahead to 2025, we are entering the year on a positive note, even in an uncertain market. With a strong pipeline of store openings and a resilient business model, Domino’s is well positioned for continued success.” As the company accelerates its expansion, Domino’s is set to strengthen its presence across the UK, reinforcing its market leadership in the fast-food delivery sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Only two contenders remain in the race to acquire WHSmith’s high street business as the retailer considers withdrawing from town and city centres across the UK. Alteri, the owner of Bensons for Beds, and Modella Capital, which owns Hobbycraft, are now the final bidders in discussions with WHSmith and its advisers regarding a potential deal. Doug Putman, the owner of HMV, is no longer involved in negotiations, although the Canadian businessman could still submit an offer before the auction process concludes. This follows WHSmith’s announcement in January that it was exploring strategic options for its high street division, including a potential sale. The retailer, which operates around 500 high street stores across the UK, has increasingly shifted its focus to its global travel division, which now accounts for 85% of its trading profit. A sale could result in WHSmith giving up the rights to its brand name, raising the possibility that the retailer – a presence on British high streets since 1792 – may disappear from town centres altogether. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals