A major new commercial development near the M1 motorway and East Midlands Airport has received planning approval, marking a significant step forward for economic growth in the region. The scheme, brought forward by Litton Properties and led through planning by DPP, will deliver 3,000sqm of commercial space across four units. Designed by The Harris Partnership, the new development is strategically located at a gateway point to the airport and adjacent to the M1, and will target small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking modern facilities to establish or expand their businesses. DPP steered the project from its early stages, preparing planning documents and leading on a crucial Economic Needs Assessment. This was necessary as the site lies within the countryside and was not allocated in the Local Plan. Through detailed research, DPP was able to demonstrate a pressing need for additional floorspace—particularly for smaller units—that the current Local Plan had failed to address. The planning team also coordinated a broader group of consultants to compile the full range of documentation required to support the application. DPP remained involved throughout the process, from submission to decision, and helped draft the planning conditions for the approved scheme. Construction is expected to begin later this year. Commenting on the approval, Will Marshall, Principal Planner at DPP, said: “We are delighted to have secured this consent which will become a prominent feature on the M1 motorway and as passengers fly into East Midlands Airport. Designed for SME businesses, the development will provide much-needed space for smaller companies looking to start or grow in the region. It has also been pleasing to overcome the planning hurdle of an unallocated site in the countryside which required extensive research into the Local Plan and what the demands of NW Leicestershire and the East Midlands will be in the future.” Once complete, the development is expected to serve as a high-visibility commercial hub, supporting regional economic expansion and providing vital infrastructure for SMEs in North West Leicestershire and the wider East Midlands. Image: The Harris Partnership Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Cornish Bakery has appointed its first-ever property director as the fast-growing brand sets its sights on expanding to more than 400 locations across the UK. Jeremy Smith joins the business to spearhead its ambitious property strategy, bringing with him over three decades of experience in acquisition and estate management. His career includes key roles at FatFace – where he supported the brand’s growth from 70 to 181 stores – as well as Crew Clothing, Mothercare, and most recently, The Works, where he managed a portfolio of 500 outlets. Cornish Bakery, which currently operates 66 sites nationwide, is accelerating its rollout plans following a strategic review conducted with an independent consultancy. The result is a refined roadmap identifying 411 potential new locations, covering a mix of high streets, shopping destinations, and tourist areas. In his new role, Smith will work closely with managing director Mat Finch to secure leasehold sites in key target areas. The first new bakery of 2025 opened earlier this year in Cirencester, with six more planned to launch by the end of 2024. Mat Finch said: “The consultancy work has validated our belief that ‘bakery is the new coffee shop’, while confirming a significant opportunity to grow Cornish Bakery across the UK. Customers are increasingly seeking food that isn’t wrapped in plastic – something fresh, tasty and baked daily. We’re ready to bring our distinctive offering to more communities, and I’m thrilled to welcome Jeremy at such a pivotal time to lead this exciting phase of expansion.” With a growing appetite for artisan bakery experiences and a brand built on quality and authenticity, Cornish Bakery is positioning itself as a major player on the UK food-to-go scene. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Superdrug has officially launched its latest flagship store at Sheffield’s Meadowhall, marking a major step in its nationwide expansion plans. Covering 10,199 square feet, the new outlet ranks among the largest in the retailer’s UK portfolio. It opens as part of Superdrug’s ambitious goal to establish 25 new stores across the country in 2025. Shoppers at Meadowhall can now enjoy an extended range of health and beauty products, toiletries, and fragrances, alongside a variety of in-store treatments. A standout feature of the new store is the addition of a nurse-led health clinic, offering services including travel advice, vaccinations, and blood tests. Also central to the experience is the in-store ‘Beauty Studio’, where customers can access a range of professional treatments such as nail services, eyebrow shaping, lash enhancements, acrylics, and piercings. Clare Jennings, Property Director at Superdrug, commented: “We are excited to be opening our new store in Meadowhall which will allow us to offer a premium shopping experience to our valued customers – featuring top health and beauty brands, a dedicated health clinic and in-store Beauty Studio. The opening will generate ten new jobs in Meadowhall, allowing us to support employment in the local community.” Richard Crowther, Retail Leasing Director at British Land, added: “The latest in a long line of leading brands to have committed to Meadowhall, Superdrug’s brand-new, upsized location responds to clear growth in the health and beauty category. As we did with dozens of tenants last year, we work hard to create opportunities for growth at Meadowhall, finding the right size and right location to optimise performance across our brands – backed by evidenced performance from our best-in-class line-up, with combined investment that significantly improves the visitor experience.” The opening comes on the heels of further retail growth at Meadowhall, with fashion brands AllSaints and Tommy Hilfiger reaffirming their presence, and Oliver Bonas joining the scheme for the first time. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Superdrug has continued its UK expansion in 2025 with the opening of several large-format stores, including a flagship unit at Guildford’s Ladymead Retail Park. The 8,000 sq ft site is part of a broader investment strategy aimed at strengthening the retailer’s national footprint while evolving the customer experience. As part of parent company A.S. Watson Group’s growth vision, Superdrug is on track to open 25 new stores across the UK this year, a continuation of its store investment programme launched in 2023. The focus remains on locations with high footfall potential and strong transport connectivity, including prominent retail parks, shopping centres, and revitalised high streets. The new Guildford store combines retail space with experiential offerings, including an in-store studio offering treatments such as nails, lashes, and piercings. This aligns with Superdrug’s strategy of integrating health and beauty services into physical stores to create more engaging, service-led shopping environments. The move reflects a growing trend among health and beauty retailers to prioritise flexibility in layout and experience-driven formats—elements that appeal particularly to Gen Z and millennial consumers. Superdrug’s property team continues to work with national consultants such as GCW and legal advisors Womble Bond Dickinson to secure units that offer long-term growth potential and local community benefit. Clare Jennings, Property Director at Superdrug, noted earlier this year that the focus remains on opening stores in locations that “deliver value and convenience, while supporting employment and creating destination experiences for our customers.” Beyond new store openings, Superdrug has committed to refurbishing a number of existing sites in 2025, ensuring consistency in brand presentation and adapting to evolving consumer expectations. Sustainability also features strongly in the programme, with new stores increasingly designed to incorporate energy-efficient lighting, eco-friendly refrigeration, and responsible fit-out materials. With further announcements expected over the summer, Superdrug’s property strategy shows how established high street retailers are adapting with confidence—leveraging physical space as both a commercial and community asset in a changing retail landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Aldi is pressing ahead with its bold growth strategy for 2025, announcing plans to open 10 new stores across the UK this summer as part of a wider £650 million investment in its property portfolio. The new openings will take place over the next 14 weeks, reinforcing Aldi’s long-term ambition to operate 1,500 stores nationwide. The discount supermarket chain currently has over 1,050 stores across the UK and is rapidly gaining ground on its traditional rivals. As part of its expansion plans, Aldi is also investing in the modernisation of 30 existing stores, bringing them in line with the retailer’s latest layout and design standards. These refreshes are aimed at improving customer flow, enhancing product displays, and making stores more energy-efficient. Jonathan Neale, Managing Director of National Real Estate at Aldi UK, said: “At Aldi, our goal is to ensure everyone has access to high-quality food at unbeatable prices, and we’re committed to achieving that with our ambitious store opening plans. With new stores, refreshed layouts, and a growing presence in urban and suburban areas alike, we’re making sure more shoppers across the UK can benefit from our offer.” The new stores set to open this summer are located in: These locations reflect Aldi’s strategy to target a mix of urban centres, commuter towns, and underserved regions, ensuring a broad geographical spread. The retailer continues to actively search for new freehold sites of around 1.5 acres, suitable for stores of 20,000 sq ft with 100 parking spaces—ideally situated near main roads with good visibility and access. In addition to store openings, Aldi is ramping up its logistics and supply chain infrastructure, with plans for further regional distribution centre enhancements to support its expanding network. As competition intensifies in the UK grocery sector, Aldi’s aggressive expansion and property investment underline its commitment to long-term market disruption and value-driven retail. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Marks & Spencer is pressing ahead with a major expansion of its food retail footprint by transforming 12 former Homebase units into modern grocery stores. The move is part of the retailer’s broader store rotation and renewal strategy, which is focused on opening 420 larger food outlets and developing a more efficient network of 180 full-line stores. The ambitious programme aims to have half of M&S’s store estate operating under the new format by 2027/28. The first wave of openings will see new M&S Foodhalls launched in Abingdon, Cannock, Farnham, Godalming, and Northampton, with doors expected to open between late 2025 and summer 2026. Each site will be designed to meet evolving customer expectations, offering larger car parks, expanded frozen food sections, wider aisles, and new in-store bakeries. Sustainability will also be a key focus, with the stores adopting LED lighting and energy-efficient refrigeration systems using natural refrigerants. Chief executive Stuart Machin said the programme is central to the company’s wider transformation efforts: “Investing in new and renewed stores is one of our key transformation priorities. Securing these highly desirable sites in priority locations will accelerate this strategy, drive further growth in our M&S food business and most importantly give our customers the best possible M&S shopping experience.” The sites became available after Homebase, once a staple of the UK’s DIY scene, entered administration last year. Since then, several major retailers including The Range, Ikea, Sainsbury’s, and Wickes have moved to acquire key former Homebase properties. For M&S, the opportunity aligns with its ongoing effort to modernise its estate, reposition itself in the competitive food retail sector, and better serve growing demand in key regional hubs. As more locations are confirmed, the retailer is expected to continue making strategic site acquisitions to ensure it delivers on its modern retail vision across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Clowes Developments have handed over three roadside convenience units to their occupiers, Café Fortune Ltd trading as Starbucks (Drive-Thru), Gastronomy Restaurants Ltd trading as KFC and Greggs. The stores opened at the start of May and have seen a positive launch with record opening sales reported. Construction of a detached 1,850 sq ft Starbucks drive through facility at the front of the plot and a semi-detached unit totalling 3,200 sq ft KFC and Greggs store were officially built out earlier in the year following a brief fit out period, the stores are now fully open and operational.  At the centre of the plot there is a parking facility for up to 38 vehicles, including 4 E-V charging stations for convenience of passing trade. Ian Gill, Property Director at Gastronomy Restaurants Ltd & Café Fortune Ltd, commented: “Gastronomy Restaurants Ltd and Café Fortune Ltd as appointed UK franchisee and licensees for KFC and Starbucks are delighted to have worked with Clowes Developments in bringing forward this scheme and allowing us to bring these brands to the population of Congleton. The process was amicable and smooth with the completed scheme looking exceptional.” Gillian Long, Retail Operations Director for Greggs, said: “Our new shop in Congleton has brought 12 new jobs to the local area, as well as providing customers with a modern, convenient new place to experience their Greggs favourites.” The retail units are conveniently located directly off Barn Road which runs through the centre of Viking Park, connecting Congleton town to the A536 link road. Starbucks, Greggs and KFC sit next to a hugely popular Aldi store which officially opened to the general public in September 2024. Marc Freeman, Director, Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd added: “We’re delighted to see the roadside retail element at Viking Park now fully open and trading. The arrival of Starbucks, KFC and Greggs significantly strengthens the offering for both the local community and passing traffic. Building on Aldi’s successful opening last autumn, Viking Park is rapidly establishing itself as a key destination in Congleton. Our thanks go to Roe Developments for delivering the units on time and to an excellent standard.” Elsewhere on the mixed-use scheme, residential developer Bloor Homes are progressing well with the construction of their homes. On completion, Viking Park will deliver up to 175 homes, as well as 36,800 sq ft office facilities and 219,500 sq ft of industrial units. Two industrial units have also achieved practical completion according to schedule and are now being fitted out by their occupiers, which are due to be announced in the next couple of weeks. Additionally, Clowes Developments in partnership with their principal construction contractor, Roe Developments, have commenced earthworks on the next phase of Viking Park. This phase will deliver two high-quality industrial/trade counter/warehouse units, each measuring 12,220 sq ft, with the flexibility to be subdivided into three terrace units of approximately 4,000 sq ft each. The units enjoy a prominent roadside position with direct access from the main road, offering excellent visibility and accessibility. Available on an all-enquiries basis, these units are scheduled for completion and ready for occupation by Q4 2025. Viking103, a 100,000 sq ft design and build opportunity is also being marketed on an all-enquiries basis, interested parties are invited to contact agents Mark Sillitoe, ms@willsill.co.uk or Andrew Groves, andrew.groves@harrislamb.com for more information. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Beauty giant Sephora has opened its first UK store of 2025 at Liverpool ONE, marking the brand’s eighth location across the country. The 6,727 sq ft store brings Sephora’s signature range of beauty and self-care products to the heart of the popular retail destination, joining a strong line-up of existing UK locations including Westfield London, Trafford Centre in Manchester, and Birmingham Bullring. Liverpool ONE’s new addition is the first in a string of upcoming launches for Sephora, with further stores planned for Meadowhall in Sheffield, Manchester Arndale, and St David’s in Cardiff later this year. Rob Deacon, director of asset management at Liverpool ONE – Landsec, commented: “The hugely anticipated Sephora UK store is the latest in a series of milestone launches here at Liverpool ONE as we reach the halfway point of the busiest year of openings since the destination launched in 2008. “This flagship 6,727 sq ft space is the epitome of what Liverpool ONE is known for — a UK hotspot for best-in-class brands and standout experiences. We’re delighted to welcome Sephora, a global beauty powerhouse, adding even more reasons for shoppers to visit.” The launch coincides with a wider retail uplift at Liverpool ONE, including the opening of TFG London’s multi-brand flagship on South John Street, featuring products from Hobbs, Phase Eight, Whistles, and Inside Story. Sephora’s continued UK expansion underscores growing demand for experiential retail and premium beauty offerings, with Liverpool ONE proving to be a strategic and high-profile step in the brand’s rollout. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Tk Maxx has unveiled a detailed wishlist of prime retail spots as it prepares for a significant expansion across London. The fashion and homeware retailer, which currently operates around 350 stores across the UK, is on the hunt for new premises ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 square feet. It is open to trading across two floors and is seeking 10-year lease agreements for its new London outlets. Within Central London, the retailer is targeting key high-footfall locations including the West End, Canary Wharf, King’s Cross, and Regent Street. Additional sought-after areas include Marylebone, Spitalfields, Borough, and Vauxhall, among others. Tk Maxx has also outlined a broad range of potential sites across Greater London. These include areas such as Croydon, Chiswick, Crouch End, Finsbury Park, and Crystal Palace, as well as suburban hubs like Upminster, Walton-on-Thames, and Banstead. Property firms Brasier Freeth and KLM Real Estate have been instructed to identify and secure suitable units across the capital. The expansion marks a bold move by the retailer to strengthen its London presence and tap into the capital’s diverse consumer base, as demand for value-led fashion and homeware continues to grow. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals