Derbion, Derby’s leading shopping and leisure destination, has announced that work will soon commence on creating a striking new gateway to Derby city centre, following final funding approval from Derby City Council. The Eastern Gateway project, a partnership between Derbion and the government’s Future High Streets Fund, will introduce a
Aldi has announced its largest-ever annual investment, committing £800 million to accelerate its store expansion across the UK. The supermarket giant plans to open 23 new stores by the end of the year, with key locations including Muswell Hill, London, and Caterham, Surrey. This forms part of a broader £1.4
Wickes has unveiled an “exciting pipeline” of new store openings as the DIY and trade retailer sets its sights on reaching 250 locations in the coming years. This announcement comes as part of the retailer’s interim results for the first half of 2024, a period that saw the opening of
Savills has bolstered its retail, leisure, and food and beverage research capabilities by appointing Matt Thompson as director in a newly created role. With over 15 years of experience in retail and consumer insights within the real estate sector, Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. He joins
British Land has bolstered its leading retail park portfolio with £240 million worth of acquisitions, reflecting a strong blended net equivalent yield of 7.4%. These strategic acquisitions align with the company’s plan to reinvest the £360 million from the sale of its stake in Meadowhall Shopping Centre into expanding its
Sainsbury’s has secured a deal to acquire 10 leasehold properties from Homebase, with plans to convert them into supermarkets. These strategic locations are spread across England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, aligning with Sainsbury’s goal of expanding its presence in key areas. Once transformed, the new supermarkets will feature shop floors
CDS Superstores, the parent company of Wilko and The Range, has appointed Antony Darbyshire, former property director at Matalan, as its new Head of Property. Darbyshire brings over 30 years of experience in the retail property sector to his new role, where he will oversee the expansion of Wilko’s concept
ONE of the North East’s largest business parks is to welcome two new retailers. UK Land Estates is developing a new store for Wickes on the former Huwoods site on Team Valley and a drive-thru Starbucks outlet. The Wickes outlet will see the national DIY chain open a new 25,000sq
Plans for a new retail park on land adjacent to the A420 in Swindon have been unveiled, sparking significant local interest and debate. The site, strategically located opposite Gablecross police station and adjacent to the Sainsbury’s on Oxford Road, has been purchased by the RO Group. This development, close to
Retail design strategically utilises space, aesthetics, and functionality to enhance the shopping experience. Zentia’s Prestige suspended ceiling tiles offer a wide range of colours to align with brand identity and seasonal themes. Their easy installation and adaptability enable quick changes to store layouts without compromising aesthetic or acoustic quality, ensuring
Derbion, Derby’s leading shopping and leisure destination, has announced that work will soon commence on creating a striking new gateway to Derby city centre, following final funding approval from Derby City Council. The Eastern Gateway project, a partnership between Derbion and the government’s Future High Streets Fund, will introduce a modern façade and urban garden, transforming the area opposite the bus station and Derbion’s eastern entrance. The project aims to revitalise the space, making it a more attractive and welcoming entrance to the city centre. Construction is set to begin this month, with the project scheduled for completion in the first half of 2025. Beth McDonald, Managing Director at Derbion, said: “The Eastern Gateway will provide a fresh, inviting entrance to the city centre, transforming the area into a vibrant urban square. We’re excited to begin the development and to see the positive impact it will have on footfall and visitor experience.” Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council and cabinet member for city centre regeneration, added: “I’m delighted that this project is moving forward, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of Derby’s city centre. This development will not only enhance the appearance of the area but also create an inclusive space that everyone can enjoy. It’s a key step in better connecting the city and ensuring Derby’s future is bright and full of opportunities.” The Eastern Gateway is part of Derby’s broader city centre regeneration, with £3 million allocated from the £15 million awarded to the council by the government’s Future High Streets Fund. Derbion is contributing an additional £1 million to the scheme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aldi has announced its largest-ever annual investment, committing £800 million to accelerate its store expansion across the UK. The supermarket giant plans to open 23 new stores by the end of the year, with key locations including Muswell Hill, London, and Caterham, Surrey. This forms part of a broader £1.4 billion two-year growth plan. In addition to expanding its footprint, Aldi is refurbishing 100 of its existing stores as part of the investment push. The announcement coincides with the release of Aldi’s 2023 annual results, revealing a remarkable £2.4 billion increase in sales, reaching a total of £17.9 billion—the retailer’s highest-ever growth period. Aldi’s pre-tax profit also saw a substantial rise, jumping to £536.7 million from £152.6 million in 2022. This boost in profitability was driven by record sales and enhanced operational efficiencies across its store network and central operations. Giles Hurley, CEO of Aldi UK and Ireland, commented: “British shoppers are voting with their feet and choosing Aldi as their first-choice supermarket. We’re responding with our biggest ever annual investment in Britain. For every £1 of profit generated last year, we’re investing £2 this year – opening more stores and building the supply infrastructure to bring high-quality, affordable groceries to millions more families across the country.” Hurley continued: “We’re also investing at record levels to cut prices, reward our amazing colleagues, and support more local causes. All while creating thousands of jobs and providing even more opportunities for our growing base of British suppliers and farmers.” With over 1,000 stores currently in the UK, Aldi is aiming for a long-term goal of reaching 1,500 locations, solidifying its position as one of Britain’s most rapidly expanding supermarket chains. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wickes has unveiled an “exciting pipeline” of new store openings as the DIY and trade retailer sets its sights on reaching 250 locations in the coming years. This announcement comes as part of the retailer’s interim results for the first half of 2024, a period that saw the opening of two new stores in Long Eaton and Durham. However, Wickes also made the decision to close two underperforming branches in Ashton Gate, Bristol, and Inverness, leaving it with a total of 229 stores by the end of June. Looking ahead, Wickes remains optimistic about its expansion plans. The company’s property strategy is on track for the remainder of the year, with a new store in Aberdeen – its first in Scotland in over a decade – having opened in August, and another branch in Leamington Spa expected to launch in the final quarter of 2024. Despite a challenging first half, during which Wickes reported total revenues of £799.9 million, a 3.4% drop year-on-year, and a dip in adjusted pre-tax profit to £23.4 million (down from £31.1 million in the first half of 2023), the retailer is optimistic about future growth. Trading in the third quarter has already shown signs of improvement. David Wood, Chief Executive of Wickes, said: “We are on track for the remainder of the year and have been encouraged by trading at the start of the second half. Looking further ahead, our outstanding customer offer, proven growth levers, and focus on cost control leave us well-placed within a home improvement market which continues to offer significant opportunities.” As Wickes focuses on its long-term goal of expanding to 250 locations, it continues to position itself as a key player in the UK’s home improvement sector, building on its solid customer base and strategic property growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Savills has bolstered its retail, leisure, and food and beverage research capabilities by appointing Matt Thompson as director in a newly created role. With over 15 years of experience in retail and consumer insights within the real estate sector, Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. He joins from Shaftesbury Capital, where he served as Head of Property Insight, and previously held the position of Head of Retail Strategy at Colliers for six years. In his new role, Thompson will collaborate with Savills’ retail and leisure agency and research teams, focusing on integrating analytics and consumer data to create commercial value for clients. Alan Spencer, Head of UK Retail at Savills, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Matt to the team. His expertise in consumer intelligence will enhance our consultancy services and support our ongoing projects.” Thompson added: “I’m excited to bring my experience to Savills, helping clients navigate the shifting consumer landscape and ma Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
British Land has bolstered its leading retail park portfolio with £240 million worth of acquisitions, reflecting a strong blended net equivalent yield of 7.4%. These strategic acquisitions align with the company’s plan to reinvest the £360 million from the sale of its stake in Meadowhall Shopping Centre into expanding its retail park footprint. These acquisitions are set to enhance British Land’s earnings, with projections indicating an increase in FY26 earnings per share by 0.7p, fully offsetting the dilution from the Meadowhall sale. Pro forma leverage, following the Meadowhall disposal, was 34.6% for FY24, with the new acquisitions raising this by 1.8%. The six retail parks acquired since April feature an impressive weighted average unexpired lease term of five years. They are let to strong multi-channel and essential retailers, known for their stable financial performance: Simon Carter, Chief Executive of British Land, commented on the acquisitions:“We’re seeing great opportunities to invest in retail parks, and we’ve quickly delivered on our plan to fully offset the earnings dilution from the £360 million Meadowhall sale with the acquisition of £240 million in high-quality retail parks at attractive yields. With low capital expenditure requirements and 99% occupancy, our retail parks portfolio is generating strong rental growth and offers attractive cash returns.” British Land’s investment in these prime retail parks highlights its commitment to capitalising on opportunities within the retail sector, ensuring strong returns while continuing to grow its portfolio across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sainsbury’s has secured a deal to acquire 10 leasehold properties from Homebase, with plans to convert them into supermarkets. These strategic locations are spread across England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, aligning with Sainsbury’s goal of expanding its presence in key areas. Once transformed, the new supermarkets will feature shop floors ranging between 15,000 and 40,000 sq ft, collectively adding 235,000 sq ft to Sainsbury’s trading space. The acquisition is set to be finalised by early September, with the first store expected to open next summer. Sainsbury’s aims to complete all conversions by the end of 2025. The retailer has earmarked approximately £130m for this investment, covering the total capitalised cost of leases, acquisition premiums, and fit-out expenses. Sainsbury’s anticipates strong financial returns from these stores, with return on capital employed expected to be comfortably in the low teens, surpassing its cost of capital. Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury’s, stated: “Our food business continues to gain momentum as we advance with our Next Level Sainsbury’s strategy. We offer the best combination of value and quality in the market, attracting customers from our key competitors and consistently growing our volume market share. Expanding our supermarket footprint is a key part of our strategy to become the first choice for food across the UK, and these new stores will allow us to serve even more communities.” The Homebase stores set to become Sainsbury’s supermarkets are located in: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CDS Superstores, the parent company of Wilko and The Range, has appointed Antony Darbyshire, former property director at Matalan, as its new Head of Property. Darbyshire brings over 30 years of experience in the retail property sector to his new role, where he will oversee the expansion of Wilko’s concept stores across the UK and Northern Ireland, as well as manage the 200-store portfolio of The Range. Darbyshire’s previous roles include a decade at Matalan and nine years as Head of Property at Sports Direct within the Frasers Group. His extensive background in property management is seen as a key asset as CDS Superstores moves forward with its ambitious growth plans. Commenting on the appointment, Alex Simpkin, Chief Executive of CDS Superstores, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Antony to our leadership team. His extensive experience and expertise in property management are exactly what we need as we accelerate our expansion plans and build on our success to date. Antony will play a critical role in ensuring that both The Range and Wilko continue to thrive and reach even more communities across the UK.” Simpkin also highlighted the company’s focus on revitalising the Wilko brand through innovative concept stores, encouraging landlords with suitable spaces to engage with them as they increase the pace of new store launches. Wilko, which was acquired out of administration by The Range last September, is set to open its sixth concept store in Poole on 16 August, following successful launches in Exeter, Luton, Plymouth, Rotherham, and St Albans. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ONE of the North East’s largest business parks is to welcome two new retailers. UK Land Estates is developing a new store for Wickes on the former Huwoods site on Team Valley and a drive-thru Starbucks outlet. The Wickes outlet will see the national DIY chain open a new 25,000sq ft store, creating around 25 jobs. The Starbucks’ drive-thru outlet would see the global coffeehouse occupy a 1,800sq ft unit, creating approximately eight jobs. The moves follow a significant investment into Kingsway North by Team Valley Trading Estate owner, UK Land Estates, over recent years. As well as the new retail outlets, the company is also set to construct three detached, Grade A industrial units totalling 128,410sq ft. Tim Witty, development director at UK Land Estates, said: “We are delighted to be regenerating this important site at the entrance to Team Valley and look forward to bringing Wickes and Starbucks onto the estate. “Over recent years, the development and refurbishment of numerous industrial and retail units have created hundreds of jobs for local people and the arrival of Wickes and Starbucks will further build on that success.” UK Land Estates also plans to continue expanding Team Valley estate over the coming years, having also submitted planning applications for three new industrial units elsewhere on the estate. Tim added: “The three proposed industrial units are to be built speculatively and will bring new, much-needed industrial stock to the region’s commercial property market. “As a region, we have a real shortage of prime industrial space, therefore it is vital that we continue to back developments like these which can help plug that gap and ensure we remain an attractive place to do business. “Hopefully those plans will also find favour with the planning authorities and we’ll see spades in the ground on those developments by 2025.” For more information on UK Land Estates, visit: https://www.uklandestates.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans for a new retail park on land adjacent to the A420 in Swindon have been unveiled, sparking significant local interest and debate. The site, strategically located opposite Gablecross police station and adjacent to the Sainsbury’s on Oxford Road, has been purchased by the RO Group. This development, close to the Amazon warehouse at Symmetry Park, is expected to become a vibrant hub for shopping and leisure in the area. The blueprint for the new retail park is modelled on the RO Group’s Solstice Park in Amesbury, which hosts well-known brands such as McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Asda, and a Holiday Inn. This suggests that the Swindon development could see similar high-profile retailers and eateries moving in, providing a boost to the local economy and offering a range of new shopping options for residents. However, the announcement has sparked mixed reactions among locals. While some see the development as a positive investment, others express concerns about its impact on traffic, local infrastructure, and the struggling town centre. Sarah Bedwell, a local resident, voiced a common concern: “Revamp the town centre and build another hospital. We don’t need more retail parks; we need a hospital that can cope with the number of people in Swindon and a town centre that people are willing to visit and shop in.” Traffic congestion has also been a major point of contention. Martin Campbell highlighted this issue, stating, “Plenty of cars pass that area slowly as it’s poorly planned for the volume of traffic… fix the issues with the area first, or it will fail. No one wants to spend an hour commuting to the shops.” Similarly, Verity Yates remarked, “Yeah, right next to Amazon. Traffic is bad enough trying to get out, now you want more traffic! When’s the new road opening up first?” While some residents suggest alternative developments, such as a shopping mall similar to Cribbs Causeway in Bristol, or leisure facilities like a waterpark or speedway track, others argue that retail parks remain a practical solution. Paul Godfrey noted, “Everyone saying shops are needed in the town centre don’t realise that it’s pointless. There’s nowhere to park, and when you do find somewhere, it’s expensive. That’s why the town centre is dead, along with the lack of decent shops. All the retail parks around Swindon offer free parking for up to three hours.” In contrast, Dean Kershaw-Evans emphasised the enduring appeal of retail parks, stating, “It’s all very well people saying get the town centre sorted first, but these retail parks have been around for years and for me, they are still the way forward. If people want a town centre, then start going now to help rebuild it as a place for everyone to go. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.” As the development moves forward, it is expected to be a topic of discussion at upcoming property networking events in Swindon, where industry professionals will explore potential collaborations and the broader economic impact on the region. The project reflects a growing trend of property investments in Swindon, positioning the area as an increasingly attractive location for retail and commercial enterprises. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Retail design strategically utilises space, aesthetics, and functionality to enhance the shopping experience. Zentia’s Prestige suspended ceiling tiles offer a wide range of colours to align with brand identity and seasonal themes. Their easy installation and adaptability enable quick changes to store layouts without compromising aesthetic or acoustic quality, ensuring a seamless and inviting retail environment. What is Retail Design? Retail design directly impacts the customer experience and a shopper’s willingness to buy a product. It encompasses everything from store layout and organisation to interior design and colour selection. Good retail design can have a positive impact on a shop’s financial performance. Acoustics and the careful use of colour play an important part in this. Colour can convey a brand identity, help customers navigate an interior space, or even create different retail zones. Enhancing Brand Identity Through Retail Interior Design Brand identity is extremely important in retail environments, whether they be supermarkets or high street banks. Consumers connect to brand colours more than they realise, building relationships between the retailer and its customers. When you think of the most high profile brands, for example Barclays or Starbucks, you will probably associate a colour with their names. While colour can be used in retail interior design to enhance a brand, it is important to use it thoughtfully. Too much vibrant colour can cause sensory overload and make it difficult for customers to focus on products. Too much dark colour can make a store feel gloomy, causing customers to exit before purchasing. Customers are unlikely to make a repeat visit if they don’t enjoy the atmosphere in the store. Think too about the psychology of colour. Use blue to create a sense of security and trust, or red to encourage impulse purchases. Use black to communicate authority, or yellow and orange to convey creativity. Combined with good acoustic design, colour can be a powerful way to improve the customer experience. The Prestige family of products is an excellent product to use in retail ceiling design. It offers three different levels of sound absorption and is available in six different edge details. It can also be ordered in 34 different colours, as well as white. It is one of our most flexible product ranges for both acoustic performance and aesthetics. Easy Installation for Retail Design Efficiency Prestige acoustic ceiling panels are quick and easy to install, especially when used in combination with Gridline, our suspended ceiling grid. Choose a Board edge for a flat ceiling installation that completely exposes the ceiling grid, or a Tegular24 or Tegular15 edge type to create geometric shadows across the ceiling surface. Prestige ceiling tiles can also be specified in SL2 planks, ideal for corridors, as well as unique Integra and Conceal edge types, designed to eliminate shadows and conceal the suspended ceiling grid entirely. Balancing Aesthetics and Acoustics in Retail Design When it comes to acoustic design, the ceiling is the largest continuous surface in any interior and it can have a big influence on a store’s atmosphere. A suspended acoustic ceiling with a high level of sound absorption will create a very calm and quiet store. A suspended ceiling design with a lower level of sound absorption will create a louder and more lively environment. When choosing a ceiling solution, think about the retail environment you’re designing for. High sound absorption Does the store need a high level of sound absorption? If yes, a drop ceiling like Prestige hA+ can be an excellent design choice. Rated Class A for sound absorption with αw 1.00, the Prestige hA+ tile provides settings with a dose of calm and quiet. It is ideal for banks and other high street environments that are usually quiet. This tile is available in white only, so it suits interiors that require a more neutral colour scheme. Enhanced customer privacy Some retail spaces need to prioritise the customer’s privacy. In these circumstances, choose a tile like Prestige dB. These drop ceiling panels have an outstanding sound attenuation performance of 41dB. Prestige dB is good for changing rooms, treatment rooms, and offices behind the scenes. Its smooth and finely textured surface adds a clean and classic finish to any kind of interior. Vibrant atmospheres For retail environments that need a more lively atmosphere, consider Prestige. The classic Prestige ceiling tile are Class C rated in sound absorption, with an added sound attenuation rating of 33dB, a combination that helps manage ambient noise levels in open plan spaces. They are durable and scratch resistant and also rated 95% RH for humidity resistance. This is where the inclusion of colour into retail interior design can really add to the look and feel of the store. Prestige ceiling tiles are available in 34 exciting colours as well as white. Use them to incorporate splashes of the retailer’s brand colours across the ceiling, or to complement an existing colour scheme. Prestige ceiling tiles maintain superior aesthetic standards while providing crucial acoustic benefits, ensuring a pleasing shopping experience that minimises and manages disruptive noise levels. Click here to learn more about the Prestige family of products and how they can be used in your project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
