Commercial : Retail News

How to choose a good loft ladder?

Choosing the right loft ladder is extremely important. It should be solid and durable so that you can safely get to the top floor of the house. How to choose the right loft ladder? Some investors decide to put cheap wooden stairs or standard ladders in their homes to get

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Prydis Secures Hotel Franchise Deal

Prydis Secures Hotel Franchise Deal

Prydis and Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) have sealed a deal to turn a former House of Fraser outlet In Exeter into a new Hotel Indigo. Prydis announced its acquisition of the 70,000 sq ft city centre building, which overlooks Exeter Cathedral, earlier this year.   “Exeter has the perfect mix

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Pleasure Island Redevelopment Announced

Pleasure Island Redevelopment Announced

The purchase of the Pleasure Island theme park site in Cleethorpes has been completed, allowing for the £57 million redevelopment plans to move forward. YPG Fab 2, owned by Adrian Smith and Ming Yeung, is now set to submit a planning application for the project within weeks. “The vision is

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BUILDING WORK WELL UNDERWAY ON NEW LIDL SUPERMARKET IN MANSFIELD

Construction on a new 23,000 sq ft Mansfield-based Lidl store is on track to complete later this autumn, according to leading property and investment group Strawsons Property. Leeds-based contractor Castlehouse Construction has been appointed to the Leeming Lane development site which is prominently positioned on the main arterial route to

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DEVELOPERS ACQUIRE KEY NOTTINGHAM CITY CENTRE SITES

DEVELOPERS Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates, the team behind the landmark Unity Square scheme in Nottingham, have acquired a number of key buildings in the heart of the city’s Southside area. The sites, which include Albion House in Greyfriar Gate, and Hanson House and Midland Scooter Centre in Collin Street, are

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Holiday Park Development Sold

A 40-acre development site in North Wales, which has planning permission for holiday lodges of which more than ten have been constructed, has been sold to Darwin Leisure Development Fund. Plas Isaf Lodge Park, which is located in a woodland setting to the south of the Flintshire town of Caerwys,

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How A Big Company Like Nike Is Integrating Blockchain Technology?

It is not some hidden fact but it is an open truth that blockchain technology has brought technological innovation in the industries. Several industries got disrupted due to blockchain technology interventions. There are several companies that have modulated plans to adapt themselves for the blockchain technology. One of the leading

Read More »

Sunderland Hotel Plans Going Forward

Proposals for a new hotel, which overlooks Keel Square in Sunderland city centre have moved forward with a deal agreed for the sale of the land for the development. The council has agreed the sale of the land to developer Cairn Group. Plans for the 120-bed Holiday Inn Hotel were

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CADDICK STEPS UP A GEAR TO SECURE NEW PORSCHE CENTRE CONTRACT

Caddick Construction has been appointed to design and construct a new £5m Porsche centre, complete with workshops, MOT testing facility and offices to serve Cumbria and North Lancashire. Appointed by Porsche franchise holders Parker & Parker Limited, work has just begun on the new Porsche Centre South Lakes site, north

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Latest Issue
Issue 331 : Aug 2025

Commercial : Retail News

How to choose a good loft ladder?

Choosing the right loft ladder is extremely important. It should be solid and durable so that you can safely get to the top floor of the house. How to choose the right loft ladder? Some investors decide to put cheap wooden stairs or standard ladders in their homes to get to the attic. However, such a solution is not particularly safe. It is worth investing in a solid loft ladder, which will ensure proper comfort of use and safety. Loft ladders – which material to choose? Choosing the right loft ladders depends mainly on the frequency of use. Both metal and wooden loft ladders are available on the market, and the choice depends on individual preferences. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. Metal stairs are much more popular and are characterized by greater stability and strength. However, if you plan to enter the attic occasionally, a wooden loft ladder will be a sufficient option.  Size of the loft ladder One of the most important things you need to pay attention to when buying a loft ladder is to choose the right size. First, check precisely how big the area under the stairs is. This will significantly simplify the selection of a loft ladder. You also have to decide whether you need a three- or four-section loft ladder. Pay attention also to the difficulty of installation. Choose loft ladders of the highest quality construction ‒ thanks to that the installation will not be complicated or particularly expensive.  Additional features of the loft ladder – choose wisely! When choosing a loft ladder, opt for safe models that feature non-slip steps and mortise locks. This will ensure that your loft ladder will be stable and properly secured until the lock is released. It is best to opt for a loft ladder with a factory-assembled handrail, which helps when climbing and descending from the attic and minimizes the risk of an unfortunate fall. Many people do not take energy efficiency into account when choosing a loft ladder. However, this is very important because, as research shows, as much as 25% of heat loss in the house is related to the attic. Therefore, on the market search for a loft ladder with high energy efficiency, which will reduce the costs associated with heating the house. Loft ladders ‒ summary Choosing the right loft ladder is not an easy task. It all depends on your individual preferences, and the type of building you live in. If you follow our instructions regarding the choice of a loft ladder, you will certainly find a good and safe solution that will serve in your house for many years. When choosing a loft ladder, pay attention to the way it opens and check if it is insulated to limit the loss of heat from the house.

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Prydis Secures Hotel Franchise Deal

Prydis Secures Hotel Franchise Deal

Prydis and Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) have sealed a deal to turn a former House of Fraser outlet In Exeter into a new Hotel Indigo. Prydis announced its acquisition of the 70,000 sq ft city centre building, which overlooks Exeter Cathedral, earlier this year.   “Exeter has the perfect mix of heritage and innovation. We want to raise the profile and set the standard for the region. Hotel Indigo is without a doubt the perfect brand for this iconic building. We are looking beyond the pandemic and can see a future of conversational commerce, shoppertainment and customer experience as king. A Hotel Indigo flagship development in the heart of the city is the crown to help us achieve our vision,” said Joe Priday, managing director of Prydis. “The layout of the site is being constructed with a clear purpose. The design will reflect the changing needs of the retailer, the high street and the consumer. We are providing something that does not yet exist in the city and a beacon for the region that will become a hive of activity,” Joe continued. “We are excited to bring Hotel Indigo to Exeter. Boutique hotels are as popular as ever in the UK, with guests looking to stay in something unique when they travel. Just as no two neighbourhoods are alike, no two Hotel Indigo properties are designed alike – each is inspired by its unique neighbourhood story yet marries the certainty of quality and comfort with local style and flavour – making it the perfect brand choice for Exeter. The redevelopment has been planned to make the most of the beauty of the nearby cathedral, the city centre and the surrounding area,” Anna Corkill, director of development in the UK and Ireland for IHG, added.

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Pleasure Island Redevelopment Announced

Pleasure Island Redevelopment Announced

The purchase of the Pleasure Island theme park site in Cleethorpes has been completed, allowing for the £57 million redevelopment plans to move forward. YPG Fab 2, owned by Adrian Smith and Ming Yeung, is now set to submit a planning application for the project within weeks. “The vision is for a spectacular development with all-weather facilities which will offer year-round appeal to attract thousands of visitors and bring hundreds of jobs. We estimate it will attract £13.2m of new visitor expenditure per annum,” commented Adrian Smith. “As people who have spent all our lives in Grimsby we are dedicated to improving the area. We have a strong track record of regenerating key local sites and we have already committed millions of pounds to this project even before submitting the planning application.” The proposed Pleasure Island development would comprise 250 holiday lodges in lakeside and beachfront locations, a 146-bed hotel, restaurants and leisure facilities including a family gaming centre. Smith led the conversion of a former brewery into apartments at The Cooperage and the renovation of The Imperial Hotel. Yeung was behind the redevelopment of the former Birds Eye Wall’s site in Ladysmith Road to provide 250 new homes as well as multimillion-pound regeneration projects in Liverpool, including the Hilton Garden Hotel, Russell Hotel and Magistrates Boutique Hotel as well as a series of stylish dockside residential developments. The investors are partners in a specialist leisure sector business Seaside Getaways Ltd, which is based in Liverpool. National planning and development consultancy Lichfields has previously been appointed to progress the plans.

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BUILDING WORK WELL UNDERWAY ON NEW LIDL SUPERMARKET IN MANSFIELD

Construction on a new 23,000 sq ft Mansfield-based Lidl store is on track to complete later this autumn, according to leading property and investment group Strawsons Property. Leeds-based contractor Castlehouse Construction has been appointed to the Leeming Lane development site which is prominently positioned on the main arterial route to the North of Mansfield with easy access to the A60. The arrival of Lidl will further complement the wider commercial and retail offering in the area which includes the likes of Greggs and Screwfix at Old Mill Lane. Boasting over 100 car parking spaces, the new store will bring a significant number of jobs to the area and construction is anticipated to complete in September. Part of a long-term relationship with the retailer, this will be the 23rd store constructed by Castlehouse Construction on behalf of Lidl.  Phil Dewell, Construction Director, Castlehouse Construction commented: “We are delighted to work with Strawsons Property to build our 23rd Lidl supermarket which will complement the wider commercial and retail offering in the area and forms part of the supermarket brand’s strategic growth plans.”  Adam Jones of Strawsons Property commented: “We’re delighted that construction work on the new Mansfield Lidl which forms part of our Old Mill Lane estate is heading towards completion and that we are one step closer to delivering what will be an incredible asset to the local community. “Old Mill Lane continues to grow from strength to strength and we are proud to turn one of the last disused plots of land back into a use that will create a significant amount of jobs and an improved retail offering in the town.” Strawsons Property is a private property development and investment group with more than 50 years’ experience. The company focuses on developments and schemes that meet local needs and aspirations – spanning office, residential, industrial and mixed-use sectors.

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DEVELOPERS ACQUIRE KEY NOTTINGHAM CITY CENTRE SITES

DEVELOPERS Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates, the team behind the landmark Unity Square scheme in Nottingham, have acquired a number of key buildings in the heart of the city’s Southside area. The sites, which include Albion House in Greyfriar Gate, and Hanson House and Midland Scooter Centre in Collin Street, are set to play an important role in the ongoing redevelopment of this area. Once developed, the sites could accommodate some 300,000 sq ft of prime office space with an end value of £150m, bringing much-needed employment space into this part of the city centre. Managing director of Peveril Securities, Ralph Jones said: “We are delighted to complete this strategic purchase of these sites with Sladen Estates which, combined with our control of Ocean Nightclub, will allow us to play a major part in the redevelopment of this area, building upon our recent successes in Nottingham city centre with our 275,000 sq ft pre let at Unity Square to HMRC. “The sites are suitable for a range of uses and could include a mix of office and residential space that will be complementary to the neighbouring uses currently under development.  Despite the current challenges facing the country, we have been encouraged by Nottingham’s resilience and believe the site is ideally placed to continue the growth the city had been experiencing prior to COVID-19.” Discussions are already underway with Nottingham City Council to determine a suitable use for the site, with consideration also given to any future plans for the redevelopment of intu Broadmarsh following its transfer to council control in recent weeks. Chief executive of Sladen Estates, Nick Sladen added: “Sladen and Peveril have an intimate knowledge of the local market and national development and contracting expertise so we jointly have the scale, expertise and resources to make the most of the opportunity that our latest purchase presents.” The announcement comes immediately after the partnership announced the acquisition of 34 acres of development land in Bicester, Oxfordshire to develop a £350m office park. For more information, please visit: www.sladenestates.co.uk  

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Holiday Park Development Sold

A 40-acre development site in North Wales, which has planning permission for holiday lodges of which more than ten have been constructed, has been sold to Darwin Leisure Development Fund. Plas Isaf Lodge Park, which is located in a woodland setting to the south of the Flintshire town of Caerwys, has permission for 57 holiday lodges of which 12 have already been constructed. It was sold for an undisclosed price, which was agreed prior to lockdown and will join the ‘Darwin Escapes’ portfolio of 22 lodge resorts and holiday parks around the UK. “The completion of the sale of Plas Isaf, at a price agreed pre-lockdown without any adjustment, confirms confidence in the UK holiday parks market as an alternative asset class. This is a sector that was already showing impressive growth prior to the outbreak of Covid-19, and it now looks set to bounce back strongly following the disruption caused by lockdown,” said Ben Jones, director in the parks and leisure team at real estate firm Colliers International, which acted on behalf of the private vendor. “Holiday parks are ideally suited for maintaining social distancing measures, as they provide self-contained accommodation that is subject to minimum spacing requirements, and are surrounded by plenty of fresh air and recreation space.” Darwin Leisure Development Fund is a specialist fund that focuses on investing in holiday parks. Investors include a number of UK local authority pension funds. “Plas Isaf is a beautiful lodge resort in an idyllic setting and we are delighted that it will join the four other Darwin Escapes locations in North Wales. “Whilst the past few months have been challenging for all operators, demand for UK staycations has surged and confidence in the market is strong. “We intend to invest in the Plas Isaf site to maximise the planning permission that is already in place and ensure that Plas Isaf becomes one of North Wales’s leading luxury lodge resorts.”

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NORTH EAST SPECIALISTS WIN ‘LEGO’ INSPIRED CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING WORK

North East engineers RWO Associates is delivering an undisclosed contract to support the construction of the next phase of a multi-million pound digital and creative hub in Middlesbrough, which has been inspired by a popular children’s toy. The Newcastle firm is providing structural and civil engineering services for Boho 8, a £2.5m development of modular stack units based on Lego’s eight piece building block system, which will provide 10,000 sq. ft. of flexible work space to meet the needs of the North East’s expanding digital and creative services sector. The office complex, which sees onsite construction start in July, is expected to open in late 2020 and comes ahead of Boho 10, a development of three skyscrapers. This forms part of an overall £250m investment project by Middlesbrough Borough Council in a high-profile scheme that is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs and strengthen the region’s position as a commercial centre of excellence. RWO Associates is providing a package of civil and structural engineering design services as part of a tender awarded by the council. This includes completing site investigation work alongside the engineering design of structural foundation and drainage works to support a complex stacking design and build concept. The firm is also being retained by the council in a move that will see it provide on-going reviews of plans and advice around the final design and build works as the project unfolds over the summer. Currently employing 19 people, this is the latest success for RWO, which has exceeded its £1.5m turnover target in 2020 as it continues to invest in resources to support a strong order book. RWO’s managing director Ross Oakley, said: “This is another prestigious project for north east engineering capability, reflecting the skills and expertise available in the region to support innovative commercial design and build projects. “It will see us continuing to develop our commercial offering and comes at a time when we are tendering for significant civil and structural work for a number of large residential and commercial contracts across the UK.” RWO Associates is working with architects Seymour Architecture, who have offices in Morpeth and Middlesbrough, and who have designed Boho 8. Director Andrew Bowkett said: “We are developing a site that considers the external public realm as much the building itself. That’s why we are working with RWO to meet current needs and deliver our innovative approach. They have the engineering skills, and experience to deliver the highest standards of service and quality.” Photocaption: RWO Associates is providing engineering expertise for Middlesbrough’s Boho 8. Also pictured is Ross Oakley.

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How A Big Company Like Nike Is Integrating Blockchain Technology?

It is not some hidden fact but it is an open truth that blockchain technology has brought technological innovation in the industries. Several industries got disrupted due to blockchain technology interventions. There are several companies that have modulated plans to adapt themselves for the blockchain technology. One of the leading names among the top companies is Nike. Nike saw potential in the blockchain technology and experimented with its use to see whether this technology holds any power to solve the issues faced by Nike. And Nike was right on the mark. A report state that Nike was able to use the blockchain to solve their lingering problems and announced officially to use the blockchain technology. Where Nike is heading towards with Blockchain technology? Blockchain technology never ceases to amaze us. After the implementation of the blockchain technology in UPS tracking, it is now used by Nike. Nike just recently patents a new method called Crypto kicks. It really took the world with surprise, when Nike came up with a method to use the blockchain technology. With how the blockchain technology is being adopted by the big enterprises, it is not too far where the blockchain will be the core technology used in every industrial field. Nike wishes to implement Blockchain in supply chain management Supply chain management has always been a priority of the companies. But with the recent event, it has proven that the supply chain management needs technological innovation to completely track the goods. There have been cases where fake products are reaching to the customers. This has made the brand lose its face in front of the audiences. To fight back this crisis, brands and companies are trying to incorporate the blockchain technology in the supply chain management. Nike has confirmed that fact that there has been cases where their customer has got a fake Nike product. And this has resulted then their loyal customer. After considering all the recent events, Nike decides to use blockchain technology to track down its product. How Cryptokicks are related to the supply chain management Cryptokicks are the crypto token given by Nike to its customers. This action of Nike has made the nontangible decentralized digital currency into a tangible asset. In this case, it is Nike Shoes. How Cryptokicks actually work? Well, Nike has attached Crypto token with its products. With the hello of the crypto token, the customers can easily track down their purchase and the origin of their shoes. The customers can easily authenticate the credibility of Nike with the help of the embedded with the Cryptokicks token. In addition, there is an additional facility where the owner of Cryptokicks can be changed with the help of a crypto exchange platform like bitcoin evolution, read more here bitcoins-evolution.com/about/. Have you ever played the Cat crypto game? These Cryptokicks are just like this game and can give offsprings in the form of physical shoes as per Nike protocols. More technical detail The blockchain network used by Nike is the Ethereum Blockchain network. Nike uses NFT of the ether blockchain technology. NFT stands for the Non-Fungible Token. These tokens have an individual specification and can’t be interchangeable. There is only one way to know the password to unlock the tokens is by buying Nike shoes. There you will get a 10-digit code that will help you to unlock the tokens. The data of the buy-sell will be stored on a blockchain network with the help of the 10-digit identification. You can even consider it as one in a kind of Crypto exchange. The only difference is that, in this exchange shoes are exchange instead of crypto coins. Conclusion Nike was able to understand how important blockchain technology is and was able to predict it future possibilities. It is high time for the other companies to venture into the unknown territory of the blockchain.

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Sunderland Hotel Plans Going Forward

Proposals for a new hotel, which overlooks Keel Square in Sunderland city centre have moved forward with a deal agreed for the sale of the land for the development. The council has agreed the sale of the land to developer Cairn Group. Plans for the 120-bed Holiday Inn Hotel were approved in the latter part of 2019. Final agreements have now been signed with the council, meaning that work can now commence on the four-storey development. The hotel is set to create 130 jobs when it opens its doors next year. Cairn Group’s Richard Warren said: “We’re delighted to be able to push forward with the development of an exciting new addition to the city’s leisure and hospitality portfolio. We are thrilled to be part of regenerating Sunderland and remain committed to investing within the region.” Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, added: “This has been a challenging time for the city, as it has for the UK at large, so it is good to be able to announce a really positive development for Sunderland, and one that demonstrates that we are ready to emerge from this crisis on the front foot and deliver the dynamic city centre our residents want and deserve.” Cairn Group’s £18m Holiday Inn development is being part-funded by Canada Life, a commitment secured by Avison Young, and will create additional accommodation to support an increase in the number of visitors to the city. Simon Beanland, principal and head of investment at Avison Young, Newcastle, said: “This funding commitment by Canada life is another tremendous vote of confidence for the City of Sunderland, following hard on the heels of substantial funding commitments by Legal & General elsewhere in the city.” Building work will get underway over the summer, and it is expected that the hotel will complete by the end of 2021. The hotel will also comprise ground-floor commercial units.

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CADDICK STEPS UP A GEAR TO SECURE NEW PORSCHE CENTRE CONTRACT

Caddick Construction has been appointed to design and construct a new £5m Porsche centre, complete with workshops, MOT testing facility and offices to serve Cumbria and North Lancashire. Appointed by Porsche franchise holders Parker & Parker Limited, work has just begun on the new Porsche Centre South Lakes site, north of Kellet Road, Carnforth, with easy access to the M6. The new centre and all external works are due to be completed in the summer of 2021. The multi-million-pound project signals the continued long-term investment and strengthening position of the German luxury sports car brand in the North West. The new showroom and facilities encompasses 1618²m in total and will have the capacity to display the full range of the luxury car brand including: the 911, 718, Taycan, Panamera, Cayenne and Macan. The state-of-the-art centre will be completed with a plush handover lounge, meeting rooms and employee facilities. Caddick Contract Project Manager Derek Billows said: “This is a very exciting project and the team are focused on delivering an exceptional showroom and other facilities that will be a fitting home for such an aspirational car brand.” Ian Parker, Director of Porsche Centre South Lakes, added: “Caddick Construction has a long track record working with Porsche franchises across the North and we believe their quality and attention to detail mirrors our own exceptionally high standards. This purpose-built Centre ensures we can offer a first-class service in first-class surroundings, something our clients have come to expect over the years from us and Porsche in this region.” Caddick Construction and Caddick Civil Engineering are the operational arms of Caddick Group Plc. Offering more than 35 years’ experience across a range of market sectors including commercial, education, industrial, leisure, refurbishment, residential, care, retail, mixed use and fit out. Architect and Principal Designer for the project is Axis 3 Design Limited with structural engineering provided by Cumbrian-based R G Parkins & Partners Limited.

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