Winvic establishes Data Centres as fourth core sector
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has announced its expansion into the Data Centre market. Building on 25 years of proven delivery, Winvic will now deliver purpose-built, resilient, and scalable data centre solutions to meet growing market demand, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, operational excellence and supporting the digital economy. Data Centres is Winvic’s fourth core sector, sitting alongside Industrial & Logistics, Multi-room, and Civils & Infrastructure. As a Tier 1 partner of the UK’s most complex industrial and infrastructure developments, Winvic has built an enviable record of disciplined delivery and the highest standards of quality. Its move into the Data Centre market is part of its ongoing growth and diversification, bringing its core values and expertise to a rapidly expanding market. Danny Cross, Director – Head of Data Centre Delivery at Winvic, said: “Over the last eighteen months we have focused on developing our supply chain, upskilling our teams and recruiting new expertise. Working alongside specialist MEP partners, we’re combining civil engineering scale and management with technical precision to deliver data centres designed for uptime, resilience, and scalability. “This marks a significant milestone in Winvic’s evolution as we expand into one of the fastest-growing construction sectors whilst maintaining our commitment to quality, collaboration, and excellence.” Danny Nelson, Managing Director of Industrial, Logistics and Data Centres at Winvic, said: “Our entry into the Data Centre market is a natural evolution of our capabilities as these developments share similar attributes to buildings we’ve been specialising in for over 25 years. Our proven delivery of large-scale and complex industrial and logistics projects, rigorous safety and quality standards through our ‘Doing It Right’ culture, and a collaborative approach gives us a strong advantage. “ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Crick expansion gathers pace as Stoford and Gallan secure 35-acre logistics site
Commercial property developer Stoford and privately owned property company Gallan have agreed a new 35-acre land promotion and development deal in West Northamptonshire, further strengthening their presence in one of the Midlands’ most established logistics locations. The 34.2-acre site, located off Dockham Way in Crick, sits close to Junction 18 of the M1 motorway and has the potential to deliver up to 500,000 sq ft of industrial and logistics accommodation across a series of units. The land adjoins the well-established Crick Employment Area, which is home to a mix of local, regional and national occupiers including Costco and Inspired Pet Nutrition. Stoford and Gallan aim to reinforce the role of this key employment hub, positioned to the north of the West Northamptonshire local authority area. The agreement builds on the partners’ existing land interests in Crick, taking their combined promotion and development portfolio in the area to around 140 acres. The wider portfolio is intended to cater for a range of occupier requirements, offering flexibility in building sizes and uses, with options to purchase or lease. Stoford and Gallan will work alongside Wallis Real Estate, which represented the landowners in securing the agreement. Andy Hartwright, Land Director at Stoford, said the site presents a strong opportunity to respond to sustained demand for high-quality industrial and logistics space in prime locations, helping to drive economic growth across the region. Marty Gallagher, Director at Gallan, added that expanding the Crick portfolio enables the partnership to bring forward a broad mix of development opportunities suited to a variety of occupiers, supporting both regional business expansion and inward investment. The latest deal underlines continued confidence in the Midlands logistics market, with Crick remaining a strategically important location due to its motorway connectivity and established occupier base. Further details on the Dockham Way opportunity are available directly from Stoford and Gallan. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool Street Station set for landmark transformation
Plans for a major overhaul of Liverpool Street Station have been approved by the City of London Corporation, paving the way for a comprehensive redevelopment of Britain’s busiest railway station. The scheme will create a modern, fully accessible transport hub designed to meet growing passenger demand, while introducing new commercial, cultural and public spaces within and around the station. The project aims to futureproof the gateway to the Square Mile, ensuring it remains fit for purpose in an increasingly competitive global city landscape. Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, described the approval as a significant milestone for the City. He said the redevelopment would strengthen the Square Mile’s business ecosystem through upgraded infrastructure, generate employment opportunities and reinforce London’s standing as a world-leading destination. Hayward added that the plans would ensure residents, workers and visitors benefit from a more inclusive, efficient and forward-looking transport interchange, capable of supporting the City’s continued growth. Tom Sleigh, Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee, said the scheme represents a substantial upgrade to a station that handles millions of passengers each year. He highlighted the architectural ambition of the design, including the reimagining of the station’s distinctive brick arches, which will help redefine Liverpool Street as a contemporary transport landmark. The redevelopment is expected to enhance passenger experience through improved accessibility, circulation and amenities, while also delivering high-quality new spaces that contribute to the wider urban environment. With approval now secured, the project marks a decisive step towards modernising one of the capital’s most important transport gateways and reinforcing its role at the heart of London’s commercial core. The approved scheme is set to transform Liverpool Street into a future-ready hub that blends heritage, connectivity and commercial opportunity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Panattoni continues to support EVRi’s expansion with fourth UK logistics facility at Panattoni Park Burgess Hill
Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial real estate developer, has completed a further letting at Panattoni Park Burgess Hill, supporting the continued expansion of EVRi’s UK parcel delivery network. The transaction marks EVRi’s fourth facility within a Panattoni scheme, taking the total space occupied across Panattoni parks to approximately 245,000 sq ft. Panattoni Park Burgess Hill is a well established last mile logistics location, strategically positioned to serve population centres across Sussex, Surrey, and the wider South East. The park benefits from direct access to key A-road routes and onward motorway connections, making it well suited to high frequency, time sensitive distribution operations. The latest letting follows Austin Racing’s occupation at the park last year and further underlines the breadth of demand from occupiers seeking modern, efficient logistics space in supply constrained South East markets. Panattoni Park Burgess Hill is already home to a diverse range of occupiers, including Roche, DPD, EMED Group, and Austin Racing, with discussions ongoing with additional occupiers for remaining units. The deal reflects Panattoni’s continued focus on delivering flexible, future-ready logistics space that can support occupiers’ evolving operational requirements, particularly in the growing last mile and parcel delivery sector. Will Fennell, Development Manager, South East and London at Panattoni, said: “We are pleased to be supporting EVRi’s continued growth with their fourth facility within a Panattoni Park. Burgess Hill is a highly strategic last mile location, offering strong connectivity across the South East, and it continues to attract occupiers who value operational efficiency and access to labour and customers. “The success of the park, following recent lettings and ongoing discussions with occupiers, demonstrates the strength of demand for high quality logistics space in this market and reinforces our commitment to investing in the South East.” Panattoni Park Burgess Hill remains a core part of Panattoni’s South East portfolio, delivering modern logistics accommodation in a location that supports both regional distribution and last mile operations. Panattoni Park Burgess Hill comprises 11 speculative units, ranging in size from 8,142 sq ft to 147,408 sq ft in a single unit. All facilities are available for tenant fit-out, offering flexibile accommodation to meet a variety of occupier requirements. DTRE, Cogent, SHW and Vail Williams are leasing agents on the development. More information here: https://panattoni.co.uk/our-properties/burgesshill/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Skanska breathes new life into Broadgate landmark with £273m revamp
Skanska has officially started work on a £273m transformation of One Appold Street, marking a major step in the evolution of the Broadgate estate in the heart of the City of London. The project will see the refurbishment and extension of the existing 1980s office building, with Skanska retaining the original concrete and steel structure while adding six new storeys and expanding the floorplate. Once complete, the redeveloped scheme will rise to 14 storeys, delivering around 360,000 sq ft of high-quality office accommodation alongside 48,000 sq ft of leisure and hospitality space. A new façade will be introduced, designed to sit comfortably alongside neighbouring Broadgate buildings while giving the structure a modern and refined appearance. Skanska’s in-house mechanical, electrical and public health specialists will also deliver the full MEP package, supporting tighter integration between design and construction. The contract has been awarded by Broadgate, the joint venture between British Land and GIC, further strengthening Skanska’s long-standing relationship with one of the City’s most prominent commercial landlords. Sustainability is central to the redevelopment, with circularity a key driver of the design strategy. By refurbishing rather than demolishing the building, the project will significantly reduce embodied carbon, avoiding the environmental cost associated with new steel fabrication. The scheme is targeting demanding sustainability standards, including NABERS ratings of 5 to 5.5 stars and BREEAM Outstanding. Construction is now under way, with completion scheduled for the first quarter of 2029. The finished building is expected to play a key role in Broadgate’s continued repositioning as a leading destination for modern, sustainable workplaces in the City. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Out-of-town retail powers on as investors and occupiers double down
Out-of-town retail continued to outperform the wider retail market throughout 2025, cementing its position as one of the UK’s most resilient commercial property sectors, according to SHW’s Q1 2026 Retail Focus report. Retail warehousing emerged as the standout performer, supported by low vacancy rates, constrained supply and sustained occupier demand, all of which helped drive rental growth across the year. Despite a modest dip compared with 2024, investment volumes remained healthy, with more than £2bn transacted in 2025. This level of activity sits comfortably in line with the sector’s 10-year average, with returns over the past 12 months averaging 9.8%. Investor appetite has been particularly strong for well-located secondary assets offering attractive income returns. Groups such as Redevco and Realty have been active in targeting these opportunities, reflecting confidence in the sector’s long-term fundamentals. Occupational demand has also remained robust. Vacancy rates across retail warehousing have held at around 5%, and space released following the failures of Homebase and Carpetright was swiftly absorbed by a mix of food retailers, DIY operators, discount brands and gym operators. There has also been a notable rise in retailers acquiring freehold interests in solus units to secure long-term occupation at lease expiry. Letting activity has varied by location and scheme type. Operators such as Next, Superdrug and M&S Food Hall have continued to target schemes with a stronger high-street bias, while discount retailers including Home Bargains and B&M have pressed ahead with portfolio expansion. While a small number of store closures have been announced by Hobbycraft, overall supply remains tight. Gym operators are increasingly competing with retailers for space, bringing new customer demographics to retail parks and strengthening footfall. Food retailers reported generally positive Christmas trading, with Lidl and Aldi recording strong sales growth. Lidl has now become the UK’s fastest-growing bricks-and-mortar supermarket, while most other major grocers also saw uplifts. The food and beverage and quick-service restaurant sector has continued to expand, with fierce competition for drive-through sites. New opportunities released by Pizza Hut closures were quickly taken up, while fried chicken and coffee brands remain particularly active. Looking ahead, SHW expects the retail warehouse sector to remain resilient through 2026, underpinned by limited new development, strong occupier demand and sustained investor interest. For a copy of SHW’s Q1 2026 Retail Focus, which covers out-of-town and high street retail, please contact any member of the SHW team. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals