M&S Steps Up Hunt for New Food Store Sites Across the UK
Marks & Spencer is ramping up its search for new locations as it pushes ahead with plans to double the size of its food business. The retailer has published a fresh list of 500 target areas across the UK where it wants to open, relocate or significantly enlarge M&S Food stores over the coming years. The move underlines the scale of its growth ambitions and signals a major opportunity for landlords, developers and local authorities with suitable sites. M&S is focusing on highly visible, easily accessible properties that can accommodate generous trading floors. Across most of the country, the sweet spot is around 18,000 square feet of sales space, supported by good parking and strong road links. Inside the M25, the strategy is slightly different. Here, the retailer is seeking prominent, well-connected locations that benefit from steady footfall throughout the week and strong public transport links. These London and Greater London sites will typically house food halls ranging from 6,000 to 18,000 square feet of trading space, depending on the catchment and configuration. The expanded search comes as M&S prepares to open 20 new or renewed stores between November and March, all in the group’s latest “renewal” format. This concept places a bigger emphasis on fresh food, extended choice and ease of shop, with wider aisles, clearer layouts and improved car parking where possible. The refreshed design is intended to create a brighter, more modern environment that encourages customers to complete a full weekly shop rather than just a top-up. Many of the target locations are places where M&S currently has no presence, reflecting the brand’s belief that it can reach new shoppers as well as deepen its offer in existing markets. Towns such as Hove, Marlborough and Wallingford are among those on the wish list, alongside a wide range of suburban, commuter and regional centres from Elgin in the north of Scotland to Exmouth on the south coast. Alex Freudmann, managing director of M&S Food, said the performance of recently opened and upgraded stores had given the business confidence to accelerate its expansion. “The strong performance of our new M&S food stores gives us the confidence to explore even more locations across the UK, from Elgin to Exmouth,” he said. “With more than twenty stores opening or modernised before the end of the financial year, we are moving faster. “Our team want new sites where we could open a large M&S food store as we deliver on our strategy to bring the right stores to the right places and offer the best shopping experience, range and availability for our customers.” For property owners and developers, the updated requirements provide a clear steer on what M&S is looking for: prominent frontage, easy access for cars and pedestrians, and flexible floorplates capable of accommodating a modern food hall. With the retailer actively scouting for opportunities across 500 locations, competition between sites is likely to be strong as M&S seeks the best possible real estate to support the next phase of its food-led growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mace Brings Forward Start on Landmark Paddington Over-Station Scheme
The timetable for a major new over-station development at Paddington has been brought forward, with main contractor Mace now preparing to start full construction in the first quarter of next year. Developer Helical, which is delivering the project in joint venture with Transport for London’s property company Places for London, said the programme for the canalside scheme has been “materially accelerated” following early engagement with Mace. Preparatory works are already under way on site ahead of formal acquisition, which is due to complete in January 2026. The scheme will deliver a 235,000 square foot office building above Paddington Station, adding premium workspace in a location with strong transport links and constrained supply. Designed by Grimshaw, the proposed 19 storey building will provide 15 floors of office accommodation above ground floor retail, activating the canalside frontage and stitching the new development into the wider Paddington regeneration area. The value of Mace’s contract has been reported at around £200 million. As a result of the reworked programme, completion is now targeted for the third quarter of 2028, bringing the delivery date forward from the previous target of the fourth quarter. Helical noted that this would see the building come to market at a time when prime office supply in central London is expected to be particularly limited. Alongside progress at Paddington, Helical has also confirmed that heads of terms have been agreed for the forward funding of its development above Southwark Tube station, again in partnership with Places for London. This project will see the construction of a 429 studio student accommodation building, with the 44 affordable homes within the scheme forward sold to the London Borough of Southwark. Both transactions are expected to exchange before the end of the year. Construction at Southwark is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2026, with completion of both the student accommodation and the affordable housing targeted for 2029, further underlining Helical’s role in delivering complex, transport-linked schemes across the capital. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ep Group and GridBeyond sign partnership agreement to optimise 50MW battery in North Baddesley
ep Group, a UK energy transition company, and global smart energy company GridBeyond are announcing a partnership agreement to deliver an AI-powered optimisation programme for ep Group’s growing energy storage operations. The partnership further supports ep Group’s joint venture with Norwegian power systems and battery storage specialist, Pixii AS, launched earlier this year to meet growing demand for optimised distributed energy systems in the UK. The partnership involves the optimisation of 50MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in North Baddesley, UK and the enrolment in the capacity market. ep Group’s BESS will benefit from GridBeyond’s Energy Management System and AI-driven optimisation platform, which enables real-time optimisation, design, forecasting and trading, allowing access to new revenue streams in the UK energy market. Accurate energy price forecasting will further allow for strategic charging and discharging that aligns with market dynamics and prolongs the life of batteries. “Our partnership with GridBeyond advances our mission to accelerate the shift to distributed, decarbonised, and digitised energy systems,” said Leo Bedford, Partner at ep Group. “With this partnership, we’re combining GridBeyond’s leading optimisation capabilities with Pixii’s power conversion technology and ep Group’s delivery expertise to help clients transform energy infrastructure into a strategic, value-generating asset.” “We are delighted to work together with ep Group to support their growing BESS portfolio,” said Scott Berrie, Director of Origination at GridBeyond. “This partnership demonstrates our commitment to advancing energy storage in the UK and highlights the strength of our AI-driven optimisation capabilities, utilising our market-leading forecasting and asset state-of-health expertise to maximise profits across all markets. Energy storage solutions are essential to enabling the full potential of renewable energy, adding flexibility and reliability across the grid.” About GridBeyond:GridBeyond’s vision is to deliver a global zero carbon future. By leveraging AI, we innovate and collaborate with our customers to create optimal value from energy generation, demand and storage to deliver a zero-carbon future. By bridging the gap between distributed energy resources and electricity markets, GridBeyond’s technology means every connected asset – whether utility-scale renewables generation, battery storage, or industrial load – can be utilized to help maximize opportunities and enhance the grid. By intelligently dispatching flexibility into the right market, at the right time, asset owners and energy consumers unlock new revenues and savings, resilience, and management of price volatility, while supporting the transition to a Net Zero future. For more information, visit www.gridbeyond.com. About ep Group:ep Group is a specialist energy transition company with operations spanning advisory, sustainable building design, capital investment, and infrastructure delivery. ep Pixii is part of ep Group and is the exclusive distribution partner for Pixii batteries in the UK. For more information, visit www.epgroup.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Swadlincote Set for £59 Million Leisure and Civic Hub at Former Mining Site
A major new leisure and office development is being proposed for Swadlincote, with South Derbyshire District Council unveiling plans for a £59 million complex on a former mining site at Cadley Park. The scheme, designed by CPMG Architects, would deliver a contemporary glass-fronted leisure centre at ground level with an open-plan council office hub above, creating a new civic focus for the town. The council hopes construction could begin as early as September next year, subject to planning approval. Located off William Nadin Way, the development is intended to breathe new life into the Cadley Park site and provide modern facilities to serve residents across South Derbyshire. The proposals include a state-of-the-art leisure centre to replace the ageing Green Bank Leisure Centre on Civic Way, which would be demolished once the new building is open. South Derbyshire District Council has launched a public consultation, inviting local people to share their views on the plans ahead of a formal planning application expected before the end of the year. Residents, businesses and community groups are being encouraged to review the designs and comment on how the new hub can best meet local needs. Council leader Robert Pearson said the project represented a significant step forward for the district. “A project like this is complicated and there has been a huge amount of work going on in the background to get us to this stage,” he said. “But of course, these key milestones in the programme are the most exciting, as we all get to take a sneak peek at what has been happening, and the plans for this future new addition to our district.” If approved, the Cadley Park development would provide Swadlincote with a modern leisure destination and new council headquarters on a single site, transforming a former industrial area into a landmark community asset. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Signify Joins Sustainable Ventures to Accelerate Climate Tech Innovation and Net-Zero Solution
Signify (Euronext: LIGHT). the world leader in lighting, today announced it has joined Sustainable Ventures. Europe’s leading climate tech growth partner as a corporate partner. Through this partnership, Signify will bring its innovative connected lighting solutions to Sustainable Ventures’ workspaces across the UK, a showcase in how climate tech solutions can support the UK’s mission to achieve Net Zero by 2050. Through the partnership Signify will also collaborate with Sustainable Ventures across their innovation programmes, contributing industry expertise, and exploring opportunities for co-creation in areas such as decarbonisation, net zero planning, intelligent buildings, circularity, and digital energy management. Signify will also join Sustainable Ventures’ workspace community, gaining access to their hubs across the country, which are designed to embody One Planet Living principles. Powered by renewable energy and built with circular principles and a sustainability-first design, these spaces provide an environment that reflects and reinforces the values driving the climate tech community as well as Signify’s commitment to sustainability. “The climate-tech sector is growing at an exciting pace, and we at Signify are proud to support that momentum by joining Sustainable Ventures. Collaborating with pioneering innovators who are part of Sustainable Ventures will enable us to amplify our impact across industries. Lighting plays a pivotal role in driving energy savings and enabling smarter, more efficient buildings. Our membership reinforces our commitment to advancing technologies that support decarbonisation, improve energy efficiency, and accelerate meaningful climate action on the path to a low-carbon future.” said Nico van der Merwe, CEO, Signify UKI. Simon Brown. Partner. Corporate Innovation. Sustainable Ventures. commented. “We are thrilled to welcome Signify to our climate tech community. The lighting solutions that Signify have retrofitted into our unique London workspace at County Hall are truly fantastic and tell the story of what’s possible when retrofitting sustainable lighting solutions into a Grade II listed building. But what I am most excited about is extending this collaboration into our broader ecosystem, where we can connect Signify’s expertise with our 1,000+ startups and other key partners. This integrated support model is what truly accelerates the deployment of commercial innovation needed to drive net-zero solutions at scale” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Considerate Constructors Scheme Unveils 2025 Grand Gala Award Winners
Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) proudly celebrated the industry’s leading innovators at its annual Awards Gala on Friday evening at the Natural History Museum, recognising 16 Rising Stars and 12 major category winners who raise the bar for responsible, innovative and inclusive construction. From climate champions to community heroes, this year’s winners prove that construction isn’t just about building structures, it’s about building a better future. Highlights from the Winners’ Circle Community Engagement Award (sponsored by Male Allies UK) – Gallaway Construction Gallaway Construction is turning construction into a catalyst for change. Through its Construction for Women programme, the company has empowered over 400 girls and women with hands-on skills and mentoring, while raising tens of thousands for local causes. A true example of how construction can be a force for good. Climate Champion – General Demolition General Demolition is rewriting the demolition playbook with bold circular strategies, recycling hundreds of tonnes of materials and slashing carbon emissions. From Northampton to London, their work sets a new standard for sustainability. Employer of the Year (sponsored by the National Federation of Builders) – John Sisk & Son With leadership programmes, apprenticeships and inclusion initiatives, John Sisk & Son is shaping a workplace where people thrive. Over 3,000 young people supported – proving that the future of construction starts with investing in talent today. Social Value Leader – Christina Nichols, John Sisk & Son Christina Nichols has delivered measurable impact: 3,600+ hours of career support and £54.6 million spent with local supply chains. Her work ensures construction leaves a lasting positive mark. Considerate Client – Marks & Spencer For 18 years, M&S has championed safety, sustainability and respect for communities, influencing contractors and setting the gold standard for client leadership. Supplier Recognition – O’Neil & Brennan (ONB) ONB’s seamless logistics and proactive problem-solving make them an indispensable partner, elevating every project they touch. Excellence in Construction (Large) – McLaughlin & Harvey From carbon monitoring to mental health support, McLaughlin & Harvey delivers excellence on every front. Excellence in Construction (Small) – Harmonix Construction Ltd Harmonix combines community engagement, environmental responsibility and workforce wellbeing – building with care and integrity. Legacy Award – Pevensey Bay Coastal Defence Two decades of protecting communities and managing coastal flood risks across 18,000 properties – a legacy of resilience. Innovation of the Year – Curo Construction AI meets safety: Curo’s real-time monitoring system sets a new benchmark for tech-driven site safety. Icon Award (sponsored by Building a Safer Future) – Luke Hands, Ardmore Group A mental health champion reshaping how construction cares for its people. Rising Stars 16 Rising Stars were celebrated, showcasing the next generation of leaders driving the future of construction: Matthew Barnes (VolkerHighways), Joel Blanchflower (Laing O’Rourke), Liam Cater (Ardmore Group), Nicol High (Octavius), Daniel Hilton (Kier Transportation), Liam Jackson (McLaughlin & Harvey), Megan McDonald (KPH Deconstruction Services), Chris O’Hagan (McLaughlin & Harvey), David Okorhi (Knight Build Limited), Kate Parsons (Kier Transportation), James Preston (McLaren Construction), Kit Robinson (Kier Transportation), Megan Smith (McLaughlin & Harvey), Cian Webb (Clegg Construction), Katie Webster (Kier Construction), Abigail Wilkinson (Sir Robert McAlpine). Champion of Construction (sponsored by Construction Industry Council) – Colin Robinson With 50 years of service, Colin Robinson, Senior Site Manager at GRAHAM Group, has demonstrated leadership and compassion that have transformed lives – from saving a colleague to creating safer spaces for children. Desiree Blamey, Managing Director for Considerate Constructors Scheme, said: “The winners represent the very best of our industry, proving that construction can be innovative, inclusive and a powerful force for good. Their achievements set a standard that inspires us all to build responsibly and leave a lasting positive impact.” The event was supported by our sponsors, with Build Warranty as headline sponsor and Mates in Mind as the evening’s charity partner. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals