COMPLETE construction partner Stepnell has secured a place on the £428m North West Rise Construction Framework, boosting its regional presence and underpinning its wider UK growth strategy. The appointment follows the opening of the regional contractor’s Liverpool office and forms part of its commitment to fostering long-term relationships and sustainable growth across the North West construction market, delivering high-quality, socially responsible projects through established public sector frameworks. Procured by Regenda Group in partnership with Rise Construction Framework, the agreement runs until March 2030 and sees Stepnell appointed to Lot 1 – General Construction within the £15m+ value band, as one of five contractors selected. The framework attracted 79 tenders for this lot, with 38 firms appointed in total, placing Stepnell within a highly competitive group of contractors operating at scale. Craig Finn, framework director at Stepnell, said: “This is a significant appointment for Stepnell and a strong endorsement of our approach as a responsible, long-term construction partner. “Our focus has always been on more than just delivering buildings – we work to create real value for clients and the communities we operate in. That includes delivering meaningful social value, supporting local people and ensuring every project contributes positively beyond the built environment. “Securing this place on the framework aligns with our growth in the North West and reflects the strength of our offer, our people and our commitment to delivering lasting value for clients and communities.” The contractor will support initiatives across the North West region, including working with care leavers, engaging with Rise’s social mobility programme and contributing to community activity through volunteering and fundraising. Stepnell will also collaborate with voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) and support engagement with school leavers. The framework, which has generated over £100 million in social return on investment over the last decade, supports public sector clients including local authorities, NHS trusts, blue light services, housing providers and education bodies across North West England, North Wales and Yorkshire and the Humber. Sara Lawton, director at Rise Construction Framework, said: “As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Rise Construction Framework we are delighted to launch the latest re-iteration of Rise. “Importantly we are looking forward to continuing to change the lives of people across our communities;  we are proud to hold the Kings Award for Enterprise for our commitment to social mobility meaning the public sector not only have access to experienced supply partners who deliver quality capital projects, but they are investing in communities each time they access our services.” The win comes amid continued growth for Stepnell, following a fifth consecutive year of profit, as the contractor strengthens its presence across key UK regions through targeted expansion and framework opportunities. For more information on Stepnell and its services, visit https://www.stepnell.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Speller Metcalfe has been selected as principal contractor by North Warwickshire Borough Council to construct a new leisure centre in Atherstone, marking a major step in the site’s redevelopment. From the end of April, the contractor will take possession of the existing Atherstone Leisure Complex, Memorial Hall and the adjacent car park to begin phase one, which includes installing site hoarding and preparing the buildings for demolition ahead of construction. The appointment follows the submission of a planning application earlier this year and reflects a significant investment in the health and wellbeing of residents across the Borough. Mark Hudgeon, divisional director at Speller Metcalfe, said the project will deliver long-term benefits for the community: “We are delighted to have been appointed by North Warwickshire Borough Council to deliver this important project for Atherstone. The new leisure centre will provide high-quality, modern facilities that support healthier lifestyles and bring people together. Our team is looking forward to working collaboratively with the Council and local stakeholders to create a facility the community can be proud of.” When complete, the centre will offer state-of-the-art facilities, improved accessibility and an energy-efficient design, ensuring it is fit for the future and able to serve the community for generations to come. To enable works to start, Atherstone Leisure Complex and Memorial Hall will close at the end of the Easter school holidays on Sunday 12 April. The Council-owned car park at the site will also close and remain unavailable throughout the construction period, which is expected to last around two years. During the closure, customers can use alternative facilities at Polesworth Fitness Hub and Coleshill Leisure Centre. Evening and weekend classes currently held at Memorial Hall will move to The Queen Elizabeth Academy, and the Council will run a dedicated bus service to swimming pools in neighbouring boroughs, with routes and timetables to be confirmed in the coming weeks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A multi-million-pound regeneration project transforming former dockland in South Shields is entering its final phase. The scheme at Holborn has converted disused docks and derelict land into a new riverside residential community following extensive remediation and engineering works. Ground contamination has been cleared, former dry docks raised to address flooding risks, and a new quay edge wall constructed. The civil engineering stage has now been completed and the site handed over to developers to begin the final phase of housebuilding. The first two phases of the project have already delivered 135 houses and apartments, all of which have been sold and are now occupied. In the final stage, Keepmoat will build 47 homes while Cussins will deliver a further 109. Twenty-four of the properties will be affordable homes, available through discounted market sale and affordable rent via Benicia. The wider development has also created a new play area and will eventually feature a public riverside promenade leading to the restored dry docks. Councillor Margaret Meling, Lead Member for Economic Growth and Transport at South Tyneside Council, said: “This really has been a massive transformation. It’s incredible to think that this evolving riverside community was disused, inaccessible land just a few years ago. “We’re not just creating places for people to live — we’re supporting local businesses, increasing footfall and helping to strengthen the local economy for years to come. “Holborn is a fantastic example of regeneration on a significant scale, and we’re proud to see the final phase now taking shape.” As part of the engineering works, the largest of the four former dry docks has been infilled, while the remaining three have been restored to preserve the area’s industrial heritage. The project also secured £1.85m from the government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund. Ian Worgan, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat, North East said: “We’re delighted to continue our work at the third and final phase of this fantastic transformation scheme in Holborn. “Over the last few years, Keepmoat has invested £20 million into riverside regeneration in South Shields, transforming disused shipyards into our River’s Edge scheme to breathe new life into the area and create high-quality new homes and apartments. “At Keepmoat, we have a robust partnership model and we are proud of our continued collaboration with South Tyneside Council and Cussins to progress homes for local people.” The final phase will include a mix of energy-efficient housing, ranging from two-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom family homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Momentum Build, part of The Momentum Group, the leading North West property services company, has been appointed to refurbish Xplore! Science Discovery Centre, an educational facility in North Wales owned by Wrexham University.  After a competitive tendering process, the two organisations are delighted to be working in partnership.  Known as “the home of science in North Wales,” Xplore! offers a wide range of educational and interactive exhibits for all ages, alongside a visitor centre, café, school activity programmes, venue hire, corporate event options, and birthday party experiences.  Momentum Build has been appointed to carry out phase one of the refurbishment, including Xplore!’s planetarium.  The tender covers procurement for building and refurbishment services for the planetarium, including lift and kitchen installations.  Once upgraded, the planetarium will become the only fixed-dome planetarium in north-east Wales. Xplore! have secured funding for the project with the phase one works being completed in Spring 2026.   Dan Lewis, Construction Director at Momentum Build, said: “Being appointed by Xplore! is a fantastic opportunity.  Not only does this take us into a new sector, but it also allows us to partner with another non-profit client.  Xplore! is a unique facility, and we are excited to be working with such a passionate client team to help ensure it continues to inspire people for many years to come.”  Scot Owen, Centre Manager at Xplore!, added: “Momentum Build has the expertise, the experience and the reach to help us achieve our ambitions for the refurbishment of Xplore!. More than that, as a business, they are passionate about adding value to the communities in which they operate, and to do so sustainably, both of which are values we prize highly too.  We are looking forward to how this partnership will develop and seeing the positive impact it will have.”  This appointment, together with Momentum Maintain’s recent work with Crosby Housing Association and Momentum Build’s £1.9 million industrial refurbishment in Maidenhead, transforming an industrial unit into temporary housing, demonstrates The Momentum Group’s ongoing commitment to delivering meaningful community impact through its projects.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Extra MSA Group has appointed Glencar as the main construction contractor for a new motorway service area (MSA) at Junction 11 of the M62, a major development expected to deliver modern facilities, support local employment, and promote sustainable growth in the region. The multi-phase design-and-build contract will see Glencar undertake extensive earthworks, drainage, and ground improvement to establish the development platform. This will be followed by the installation of utilities, highways, and site-wide infrastructure in preparation for the construction of the main Amenity Building, parking areas, and external works. Glencar will also manage enabling and access works for the fuel filling station and coordinate future landscaping packages. The hybrid fuel facility will include a retail store, refuelling forecourts for cars and HGVs, canopies, EV chargers, and supporting infrastructure such as parking, lighting, and cycle spaces. The first phase of the project will also involve the diversion of Silver Lane Brook and the creation of a new peatland habitat zone, alongside wider landscaping and site circulation improvements. Once complete, the Warrington MSA will provide over 530 car parking spaces, 105 HGV spaces, 16 coach bays, 15 caravan spaces, and 15 motorcycle spaces. Glencar will play a central role in achieving Extra MSA’s sustainability and social value goals, applying an ESG-led approach to ensure high standards of environmental performance and community impact. Key ecological enhancements include the peatland habitat creation and restoration of Silver Lane Brook to boost biodiversity and strengthen climate resilience. The project also includes a robust social value programme, with initiatives to generate employment opportunities, support local SMEs, and establish skills partnerships with Birchwood High School, Gorse Primary, Warrington & Vale College, and Cheshire Skills Bootcamp, aiming to inspire the next generation of construction talent. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Willmott Dixon has been appointed by Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) to deliver Station Gardens, a transformational housing development set to create 81 new homes on a key brownfield gateway site near Rochdale town centre. The project will revitalise the extensive site near Drake Street, located on the doorstep of Rochdale railway station. The area has remained vacant for several years but is considered a strategic gateway into the borough. The development will feature two, three, and four-bedroom homes available in a mix of tenures, including social and affordable housing. The properties will be the first net zero homes delivered as part of a housing scheme supported by the council, with completion expected in early 2028. The project has been enabled by a successful bid to the government’s Community Regeneration Partnerships Fund and forms part of the council’s rail corridor strategy, which aims to rejuvenate the areas around Rochdale’s five railway stations by creating new homes on brownfield sites. Michael Poole-Sutherland, Director for the North West at Willmott Dixon: “We’re extremely proud to play our part in the continued regeneration of Rochdale in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency. “We share Rochdale Borough Council and RDA’s passion for ensuring Station Gardens leaves a lasting legacy in this community. As part of this, we will create employment opportunities for local people who have been long-term unemployed and will be engaging with both T-Level and apprentice students at Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale Sixth Form and Hollingworth High School, offering 180 weeks of training throughout the project.” Councillor Danny Meredith, cabinet member for housing and regeneration at Rochdale Borough Council: “It’s great to finally break ground on this site, as we’ve been working hard to move this project forward, following an unsuccessful funding bid to the previous government. We kept at it and were delighted to recently receive the money from the community regeneration partnership, which has enabled us to get going. These new homes will be a fantastic addition to this area, transforming a site which has been empty for years into a thriving new neighbourhood which will be built to the highest environmental standards.” The development is also part of the wider regeneration of the area around Rochdale railway station, which involves the creation of a new public square in front of the station and 33 new apartments on a brownfield site on the corner of Maclure Road and Station Road, whose construction is set to start in early 2026. The project is being delivered by Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council, with Willmott Dixon acting as main contractor. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction firm Beard is marking ten years of delivering ambitious and innovative projects which have transformed communities and businesses across Bristol and the wider region. Beard’s Bristol office opened in September 2015 and was originally established in Westbury-on-Trym, before moving to its current location of Langford Lodge, 109 Pembroke Road in Clifton. The office has grown from a team of just three to a 54-strong workforce, delivering high-quality design and build, new-build, restoration and refurbishment projects across sectors including heritage, commercial, healthcare, residential, sports, leisure, and education. Experienced construction professional Mike Hedges led the Bristol office from its inception before being promoted to company operations director in 2023. He said: “For more than 130 years, Beard has delivered exemplary projects that support businesses and enhance communities across diverse sectors. “The Bristol team has been instrumental in Beard’s recent success, and we’re proud of the collective achievements over the past decade. “This milestone is a testament to the skill and dedication of our team, past and present, as well as the trust and expertise of our valued customers, subcontractors, suppliers, and wider network. My thanks, on behalf of the Beard directors, goes to all of them.” To mark the occasion, Beard hosted a celebratory event at the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) earlier this month, attended by team members, supply chain partners, and customers. In 2022, Beard completed the RWA’s light and inspiration project, a scheme to reduce the building’s reliance on fossil fuels and improve the efficiency of the historic building. It was the most significant refurbishment in over a century, also delivering structural repairs and improving accessibility to preserve the cultural landmark. Matt Cooper, Bristol director since 2021, has steered the team through a period of significant growth. He added: “The work of our Bristol office demonstrates Beard’s wider commitment to quality, innovation, and community impact. We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone with our team and partners, and we look forward to helping shape Bristol’s built environment for many more years to come.” One of the Bristol team’s first projects was the £4.7million refurbishment of the University of Bristol’s law school. Beard also delivered the iconic new Being Brunel museum for the SS Great Britain Trust, telling the story of Brunel’s impact in Bristol and beyond. Beard Bristol’s current projects include the construction of a gorilla house and visitor centre for Bristol Zoological Society; the restoration of Glastonbury’s Baily’s Building into a dynamic co-working space; and the refurbishment and extension of One Friary Quay in Bristol. Other projects in Bristol’s varied portfolio over the past decade have included: Beyond construction, the team has raised over £18,000 for Grief Encounter this year alone. Their chosen charity for two years, the organisation provides specialist bereavement support to children, young people and their families. Money has been raised through everything from skydives and cycle challenges to dress down days and bake sales, reflecting the team’s commitment to positive community impact. Founded in 1892 by Edward William Beard, the company is now led by the fourth-generation of the family, Mark Beard. Its head office opened in Swindon, followed by Oxford, Guildford and Bristol. The firm opened its newest office in Southampton in January 2024. For more information about Beard, visit www.beardconstruction.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

RED Construction Group, the specialist contractor, has announced that its South West division has completed works on Alumno Group’s £13m Hollis Wharf student accommodation project in Bath, and Bristol’s Harbourside cladding remediation works. These project milestones coincide with the opening of a new Exeter office, the expansion of the existing Bristol office, and key senior leadership appointments.  Hollis Wharf, the 45,000 sq ft, 120-student apartment building, was designed by AWW Architects and spans five floors. The RED South West team has completed its works on the project, accommodating the city’s growing student population. The team also drew upon extensive experience in minimising the environmental impact of the works, not only due to its position adjacent to two Grade II listed buildings, but also as it sits within a World Heritage Site, Housing Development Boundary, and Enterprise Area.  This coincides with the completion of the £5m cladding remediation at Bristol’s Harbourside, comprising fire safety remedial works to occupied apartments. The South West team delivered works that included the replacement of existing combustible external wall systems, balcony decking, cavity barriers, and associated build-up, support systems, and accessories. As the RED South West team expands through new appointments, successful completions, and new offices, the business has strengthened its senior leadership team. James Devey is now leading the South West team as Divisional Director, following Derek Quinn’s promotion to COO at RED Construction Group. Georgina Lillington is taking on the role of Commercial Director, bringing over two decades of experience to the role, and Founding Director Grant Millar, takes up a new role of Technical Services Director.  James Devey, Divisional Director of RED South West, commented: “Our team continues to go from strength to strength, and as we remain committed to delivering high-quality works, we also continue to expand our senior leadership team and expertise. The sustained growth of RED South West is propelled by our ability to complete great projects like Hollis Wharf and Harbourside, and we’re proud to work with the best client teams in the region, that focus on tangible, positive outcomes for our communities.” David Campbell, Founder and Managing Director of Alumno Group, added: “RED Construction’s South West team are experts in the region, so they were the obvious choice when choosing who to partner with for Hollis Wharf. The works here speak volumes, with this transformation set to serve both Bath’s significant student population.”  These project completions and team restructuring have come as RED Construction South West has relocated in Bristol, into an office triple the size. The new Bristol office has been joined by RED’s inaugural Exeter office, extending the main contractor’s presence in the region. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals