Marks & Spencer has announced a £90 million investment to expand and upgrade its store portfolio across London, with six brand new food halls and 11 enhanced stores set to open or relaunch in the coming years. The retail giant will add around 70,000 sq ft of new space through the launch of food halls in Covent Garden, Leytonstone, Clapham Common, Putney, New Malden, and Fulham Broadway—subject to planning permission. These additions are part of a wider strategy to strengthen M&S’s presence in the capital by catering to growing customer demand for high-quality, convenient food offerings. In addition to the new openings, 11 existing stores are undergoing significant upgrades. Among them is the Clapham South food hall, which has already reopened featuring a refreshed produce section, expanded frozen and ambient food areas, a larger in-store bakery, and improved fixtures including new flooring, refrigeration, and checkouts. Further refurbishments are under way at stores in Brooklands, Islington, Brent Cross, Whetstone, Wimbledon, and Chiswick. Meanwhile, revamped M&S food outlets have recently reopened in key London transport hubs including Euston, St Pancras, and Charing Cross stations. One of the most high-profile projects is the phased renewal of M&S’s flagship Pantheon store on Oxford Street. The renovation will begin with a complete overhaul of the basement food hall in April, which will stay open throughout the works. A temporary food offering will be in place while construction progresses. Once completed, the updated food hall will include a fresh pizza counter, hot chicken options, and an all-new coffee shop concept. This investment in the capital follows the company’s announcement of a separate £50 million plan for the North West, aimed at increasing store space and modernising outlets in the region. Sacha Berendji, Operations Director at M&S, said:“London has always held a special place in the M&S story—from our early days with penny bazaars to the modern Foodhalls we operate today, like the one we reopened in Brixton last year. We serve thousands of customers each day across the capital, from large full-line stores to grab-and-go outlets in train stations. This new wave of store investment is our commitment to bringing the best of M&S to every corner of London—from Brixton to Barnet—for many years to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Matalan is pressing ahead with ambitious expansion plans following a £25 million injection of new funding from its investors. The family-focused fashion and homeware retailer is set to open ten new stores this year, while also revitalising a number of its existing locations. With more than 220 sites already operating nationwide, Matalan is now on the hunt for additional premises in key retail hotspots. The retailer is specifically targeting Use Class E units in retail parks, town centres, and shopping centres, ideally ranging in size from 10,000 to 35,000 sq ft. For smaller sites, between 10,000 and 20,000 sq ft, mezzanine space will be a requirement to accommodate its full offer. While leasehold sites are preferred, the retailer is open to considering freehold opportunities where appropriate. To support its expansion drive, Matalan has appointed property consultants across different regions: Savills is focusing on Scotland and Northern Ireland, Stockford Anderson is covering Wales and the North of England, and Smart 4 has been tasked with identifying locations in the South of England and London. In parallel with its new store openings, Matalan is rolling out an extensive refurbishment programme aimed at enhancing the shopping experience for customers. Thirty existing stores are set to be refreshed this year, with work already completed at Linwood, near Glasgow, and Croydon. Upgrades to stores in Dumfries and Bristol Filton are also expected to wrap up in the coming weeks. This dual focus on expansion and enhancement reflects Matalan’s confidence in the UK retail landscape and its ongoing commitment to offering customers value-led fashion and homeware in accessible, well-designed spaces. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Leading asset and property management firm Estama has been appointed to oversee Festival Place in Basingstoke—one of the UK’s largest shopping centres—in a landmark deal that marks a new chapter for both the company and the centre. The appointment is a significant moment for Estama, coming soon after the firm transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust. It also continues the company’s steady growth, expanding its managed portfolio across the UK retail landscape. Festival Place spans an impressive 1.2 million sq ft and is home to over 180 retailers including high street giants such as Next, Marks & Spencer, Sports Direct, H&M, and Rituals. The centre also offers more than 20 dining options and a 10-screen Vue cinema, positioning it as a major retail and leisure destination. Under its new dual role as asset and property manager, Estama has been tasked with revitalising the centre’s performance—boosting leasing activity, refining the retail mix, and increasing net operating income. With current occupancy at 77%, well below the industry average of 89%, Estama sees significant scope for transformation. The firm’s wider portfolio, by contrast, boasts a 98% occupancy rate. Estama’s immediate focus will be on stabilising operations and attracting a mix of well-known brands and independent local traders to fill vacant units. (Left to right) Eoin Conway, Ross Campbell, and George Grimes Eoin Conway, Managing Director of Estama, commented:“This appointment is a moment of real pride for our team and a milestone for Estama since becoming employee-owned. It also showcases our joined-up approach—our asset and property management teams, led by Ross Campbell and George Grimes, have worked hand in hand to secure this win. We’ve built steady, sustainable growth over the past 18 months, and this latest instruction reflects the trust our clients continue to place in us. That’s what drives us.” Looking ahead, tenant engagement will be a key priority. Estama plans to foster strong relationships with occupiers and local stakeholders to create a dynamic and relevant retail offer for the community. Ross Campbell, Director and Head of Asset Management at Estama, added:“Retail is evolving rapidly, and so must the centres we manage. At Festival Place, we see real opportunity to reshape both the retail and leisure line-up to better meet the needs of local shoppers. Despite headwinds in the market, we’re seeing strong tenant demand, improving footfall, and an active leasing pipeline for 2025 and 2026. With our research-led approach and wide retailer network, we aim to deliver the right mix for the local catchment.” GCW and Lunson Mitchenall remain the retained letting agents for Festival Place. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Iconic discount retailer B&M is forging ahead with ambitious expansion plans, announcing the opening of 45 new stores across the UK in the year ahead—even as it grapples with a dip in like-for-like sales at home. In the 12 months to 29 March, the retailer reported a 3.1% drop in like-for-like UK sales, falling to £4.5 billion. Sales were also down 2.4% in the final quarter. However, group-wide performance painted a more positive picture, with total sales rising by 3.7% to £5.6 billion. This growth was driven by newly opened stores and a strong trading performance in B&M’s French arm, which helped offset the softer results in the UK market. B&M’s garden, toys, paint and stationery categories helped underpin its UK performance, while the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) segment experienced a decline in like-for-like sales—though it still saw gains in overall value and volume. The company has said steps are being taken to boost performance in this category. Undeterred by the sales slowdown, B&M said its 45 new stores opened over the past year are performing in line with expectations and delivering strong returns—prompting the company to commit to another 45 openings in the year ahead. The new stores are expected to target high-footfall areas such as retail parks and under-served smaller towns, where demand for discount retail remains strong. The company’s group adjusted EBITDA is forecast to land above the midpoint of its £605m to £625m guidance range. Meanwhile, B&M’s board is progressing in its search for a new chief executive to replace Alex Russo, who will retire at the end of the month. An announcement on his successor is expected in the coming weeks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Hines UK has made a significant investment in South Yorkshire, acquiring Sheffield’s largest retail park—Drakehouse Retail Park—for £50.75 million. The purchase from 90 North Real Estate Partners reflects a net initial yield of 7.0%. Covering 232,538 sq ft, the prominent out-of-town retail destination features 17 retail units arranged around a central car park with 784 spaces, as well as two standalone drive-through restaurant units. The park boasts a strong line-up of national retailers, including Wickes, B&M, Pets at Home, Currys, JD Sports, Halfords, and Starbucks. According to marketing materials released in September 2024, the scheme had a weighted average unexpired lease term of 6.2 years to expiry and 4.5 years to break. Drakehouse Retail Park currently generates an annualised passing rent of £3.8 million—equivalent to £16.34 per sq ft. Situated seven miles south-east of Sheffield city centre, the park is positioned within a well-established retail warehousing hub. Nearby retail assets include the 600,000 sq ft Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre, the 80,000 sq ft Crystal Peaks Retail Park, and the 40,000 sq ft Crystal Peaks Village. Following the acquisition, Curson Sowerby and Font Real Estate have been appointed as joint agents for the asset by Hines. Green & Partners advised Hines UK on the deal, while Font Real Estate and JLL represented the vendor. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Co-op has proudly reopened three of its stores following significant refurbishments aimed at transforming the shopping experience for local communities. The convenience retailer’s sites in Topsham (Devon), Scarborough (Yorkshire), and Tupsley (Herefordshire) have all undergone major makeovers, boasting refreshed layouts and a stylish new design. Each store, ranging in size from 1,000 to 2,300 square feet, now features upgraded refrigeration systems designed to reduce energy consumption. Customers can enjoy an enhanced range of fresh produce, food-to-go options, meal deals, frozen favourites, dairy and bakery items, Fairtrade products, pizzas, flowers, ready meals, and everyday essentials. The upgraded stores also support Co-op’s growing online delivery service, acting as fulfilment hubs for home grocery deliveries through the retailer’s own online platform. In addition, soft plastic recycling points have been introduced, allowing shoppers to return typically difficult-to-recycle items such as crisp packets, bread bags, ready meal lids, biscuit wrappers, and pet food pouches. Daniel Case, Store Manager at the Fore Street Co-op in Topsham, shared his enthusiasm:“The whole team is thrilled to invest in Topsham and relaunch the Co-op store. The transformation is remarkable, and the feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. “We’ve introduced a fresh, modern feel along with an expanded product range – offering quality, choice, and value for everyone. “We’re excited to welcome our members and customers back into their new-look Co-op. We’re here to make a difference locally and continue to serve and support our community with convenience and care.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has revealed a £50 million investment plan to enhance its stores across the North West of England, adding a total of 100,000 sq ft of extra retail space to its estate. The investment, which will span the next three financial years, will see the rejuvenation of three stores in the region, bringing them in line with the retailer’s latest store format. In addition, five brand-new stores will be launched as part of the retailer’s ongoing store renewal and rotation programme. This move follows the success of recently renewed stores, which have been performing well since their revamp. The first of the new-look stores, at Gemini Retail Park in Warrington, reopened last week with an updated clothing, home, and beauty department, following the opening of a food hall at the same location last October. Meanwhile, the M&S store at New Mersey Retail Park in Speke will relocate and undergo a major transformation from a food hall to a full-line store, introducing clothing, home, and beauty departments to the south Liverpool area. In Formby, Merseyside, a brand-new food hall will open at The Point development, while in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, plans are underway to open a new food hall, subject to planning permission, which will triple the size of the existing store to 16,000 sq ft. Additionally, M&S has submitted a planning application to relocate its Blackburn store to the Frontier Park retail hub in East Lancashire. M&S’s Greater Manchester stores are also set for growth, with an extension planned for the full-line store at Middlebrook Retail Park in Bolton and a redesign for the food hall in Sale, which has recently been completed. Will Smith, Property Director at M&S, commented: “As we reshape for growth, we want to open new stores that not only offer a great shopping experience but that we can also be proud of. Our upcoming stores for 2025 showcase our commitment to investing in market-leading stores, as part of our ongoing renewal and rotation strategy. This investment in the North West will allow us to continue offering high-quality products, that M&S touch of magic, and the trusted value our customers expect.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction is officially underway on a new multi-let retail park in northwest Darlington, as northern development firm Almscliffe-Dhesi (AD) breathes new life into a disused industrial site. Work on the County Durham development has commenced and is set for completion this September. Several well-known brands, including Costa Coffee, Greggs, Indigo Sun, Harrison Vets, and Fastnet, have already secured units at the site. Additionally, McDonald’s has purchased a plot at the entrance, where it is constructing its own unit. This project follows AD’s recent success in delivering three major retail developments across the North East and North Lincolnshire. Neil Creeney, director at AD, said: “We’re pleased to confirm that construction at Faverdale is progressing well and remains on track for completion this autumn. The site has been fully cleared, and steelwork is set to begin shortly. “This marks Phase One of a wider development on the Faverdale site, with an additional four acres earmarked for future retail expansion. We are thrilled to have secured such a strong lineup of retailers for the first phase, bringing more choice to the area and boosting the local economy.” The £4 million scheme is backed by Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB), with Creeney highlighting the lender’s supportive role in the project. “HTB’s hands-on approach and flexibility have been invaluable. It’s rare to find a lender so committed to understanding and accommodating a developer’s needs,” he added. AD was founded in 2019 by Creeney and Bal Singh. Creeney previously worked with Yorkshire-based developers Opus North and S Harrison Developments, while Singh owned a successful chain of pharmacies across the North East. Singh commented: “Having completed three successful developments across the North East and North Lincolnshire, we’re confident in our model—revitalising brownfield sites, attracting national retailers, and creating sustainable jobs. Alongside Darlington, we’re also on-site with a major development in Sunderland.” The scheme is being marketed by @retail. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Kingsgate Shopping Centre in Huddersfield has secured a wave of new retail lettings in anticipation of the grand opening of multi-leisure operator The Light next week. Health and wellness retailer Holland & Barrett has taken a 2,000 sq ft unit, formerly occupied by The Body Shop, on a five-year lease. Jewellery brand Pandora has also expanded its presence, relocating to a larger 1,500 sq ft unit with a 10-year lease. Further bolstering the shopping centre’s retail mix, fashion accessories retailer Lovisa has signed a 10-year lease on an 850 sq ft unit, previously home to GAME. Additionally, Boots is set to move into Kingsgate from King Street, occupying a substantial 16,000 sq ft store on a 10-year lease. These new arrivals coincide with the much-anticipated launch of The Light, a major leisure destination opening in the former House of Fraser department store on 11th April. The venue will offer a variety of entertainment options, including a six-screen cinema, bowling, arcades, a climbing centre, interactive darts, karaoke, and an array of restaurants. Steve Bateman, asset manager at Kingsgate Shopping Centre, commented: “Huddersfield town centre is undergoing significant transformation, with key stakeholders, including Kirklees Council, working to streamline retail and leisure offerings. This consolidation is strengthening Kingsgate’s position as the town’s prime retail and leisure hub. We are delighted to welcome these fantastic brands to the centre.” Spanning 280,000 sq ft, Kingsgate Shopping Centre is home to a strong line-up of retailers, including JD Sports, TK Maxx, Sports Direct, HMV, Waterstones, and River Island. KLM Real Estate and Newns Webster continue to act as the centre’s retained letting agents. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals