New research reveals the UK locations where the construction industry is thriving, with Milton Keynes taking the top spot. Milton Keynes has been named the UK’s most thriving construction hotspot outside London, according to new research from construction branding specialists Monster-Mesh. The study analysed five key indicators across 95 UK locations to identify the towns and cities outside the capital where the construction industry is showing the strongest signs of activity, investment and future growth. While London continues to dominate the UK construction landscape, the research reveals a number of regional locations where a combination of established construction businesses, economic output, workforce growth, job opportunities and investment in construction branding is helping to drive a thriving local industry. The study by Monster-Mesh ranked locations according to: Each indicator was scored out of 100 before being combined to create an overall index score out of 500. To ensure a fair comparison between locations of different sizes, figures were standardised according to population or presented as percentages. The UK’s top 10 construction hotspots outside London  (index score out of 500)  1st) Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: 339  2nd) Rochester, Kent: 318  3rd) Canterbury, Kent: 312  4th) Tunbridge Wells, Kent: 310  5th) Dartford, Kent: 309  6th) Stevenage, Hertfordshire: 308  7th) Chelmsford, Essex: 297  =8th) Oxford, Oxfordshire: 296  =8th) Reading, Berkshire: 296  10th) Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: 279 Milton Keynes named the UK’s top construction hotspot Milton Keynes has taken the number one position in this year’s ranking, scoring 339 out of 500. The town benefits from the strength of the wider South East construction market, which accounts for 16.9% of the UK’s construction businesses. This is the highest proportion of any region included in the study. Construction in the South East also generates £41,319 in GVA per head, providing a strong economic backdrop for locations such as Milton Keynes. The city also stands out for the amount being invested in construction branding. Monster-Mesh data shows that £59,211 is spent on construction branding solutions per 100,000 people in Milton Keynes, giving it the highest branding spend among all locations analysed. That investment has also more than doubled year-on-year, with construction branding spend in Milton Keynes increasing by 103% compared with last year. However, the research suggests that Milton Keynes’ construction market is not simply being driven by branding investment. The region is forecast to see a 3% increase in its construction workforce between 2026 and 2030, while the city currently has five advertised construction jobs for every 100,000 residents. Mark McLennan, Founder at Monster-Mesh said, “Milton Keynes taking the top spot from Tunbridge Wells this year is a really interesting result. It demonstrates that a thriving construction sector isn’t necessarily about having the highest number of job vacancies or the fastest workforce growth in isolation. The combination of a strong regional construction base, economic output and business investment all play a part in a thriving local sector. “The particularly strong increase in construction branding spend is also worth highlighting. Businesses don’t generally invest in their visibility unless they see an opportunity to compete and grow, so this could be a useful indicator of the confidence within Milton Keynes’ construction sector.” Rochester takes second place Rochester has climbed into second place, scoring 318 out of 500. Like Milton Keynes, Rochester benefits from the wider strength of the South East construction industry, with 16.9% of UK construction firms located across the region and construction generating £41,319 in GVA per head. Construction branding investment is particularly strong in Rochester, reaching £44,246 per 100,000 people, and perhaps more significantly, branding spend has increased by 104% year-on-year. This suggests a rise in investment from construction businesses looking to increase their visibility and compete for new opportunities. Rochester currently has 12 advertised construction jobs per 100,000 people, while the regional construction workforce is forecast to increase by 3% between 2026 and 2030. Canterbury comes in at third place Canterbury takes third place with an overall index score of 312. The Kent location combines the strength of the wider South East construction market with significant investment in construction branding. Construction businesses in Canterbury are spending £37,356 per 100,000 people on branding solutions, representing a 14% increase compared with last year. The location also has 25 advertised construction jobs per 100,000 people, while the wider South East is expected to see construction workforce growth of 3% between 2026 and 2030. With 16.9% of the UK’s construction firms located across the wider South East and construction generating £41,319 in GVA per head, Canterbury’s position in the top three highlights the continuing strength of Kent and the wider South East as a construction hub. Mark said, “London will always be an enormous construction market, but it’s important not to overlook what’s happening elsewhere in the UK. “This year’s research shows some really interesting regional hotspots. Milton Keynes, Rochester and Canterbury are leading the way, while locations such as Dartford, Stevenage, Oxford and Reading are seeing particularly significant increases in construction branding investment. “The construction landscape is constantly changing, and looking beyond London gives us a much better picture of where businesses are investing, where employment opportunities are emerging and where the sector could be heading next.” Construction branding investment surges across UK cities Construction businesses across the UK are significantly increasing their investment in branding, with the number of construction branding units ordered over the past year rising by 89%, while total spend on construction branding has increased by an even greater 94%. The latest Monster-Mesh data reveals the cities where construction branding investment is growing fastest, with Bath recording the biggest increase in spending, up by an impressive 297% over the past year. Portsmouth follows closely behind, with construction branding spend increasing by 295%, while Slough saw spending rise by 285%. For further information about the study and to speak to the team, visit Monster-Mesh.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Glasgow City Council has appointed global property consultancy CBRE, working alongside Mandala Partners, to develop a business case for a new city centre growth fund aimed at unlocking major development opportunities, attracting private investment and accelerating residential regeneration. The proposed investment vehicle could play a significant role in reshaping central Glasgow, supporting the delivery of new homes, commercial developments and wider regeneration projects as the city pursues its ambition to increase its city centre residential population to 40,000 by 2035. The appointment marks an important step in exploring alternative funding mechanisms capable of overcoming the financial viability challenges that can prevent development schemes from progressing, particularly within established urban locations. CBRE will lead the assessment, supported by economics, policy and strategy consultancy Mandala Partners, examining how public and private sector capital could be combined to stimulate investment and bring forward development opportunities. A central element of the study will be identifying potential funding structures that can address viability gaps, helping to make residential and mixed-use schemes more financially deliverable while encouraging further institutional and private sector investment. The work will also consider how a growth fund could be established, financed and operated, drawing on investment and regeneration models already developed by local and regional authorities elsewhere in the UK. These approaches will be assessed against Glasgow’s particular development requirements, economic priorities and the wider Scottish funding environment. Although the initial focus will be on central Glasgow, the Council has indicated that any future investment mechanism could potentially be expanded to support regeneration and development across the wider Glasgow region. The study comes as cities throughout the UK continue to examine new ways of financing urban regeneration, particularly where construction costs, infrastructure requirements and development viability present obstacles to bringing forward major projects. For Glasgow, increasing the number of people living in the city centre is a central part of its longer-term regeneration ambitions. Additional residential development could support greater demand for retail, leisure, hospitality and local services, while encouraging investment in existing buildings and underutilised urban sites. A dedicated growth fund could potentially provide a more coordinated approach to investment, helping public and private sector partners address the financial barriers associated with delivering new development. However, the establishment of such a fund remains at the feasibility stage, with no final decision taken on whether it will proceed. The business case is being prepared in accordance with HM Treasury’s Green Book guidance, which provides the framework for assessing the economic, financial and strategic justification of public sector investment proposals. A Glasgow City Council steering group, comprising elected members and senior officers, will oversee the preparation of the study, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The findings will inform the Council’s consideration of whether a growth fund represents a viable and effective mechanism for supporting future investment. Any subsequent decision to establish the fund, including its financial structure, governance and potential investment priorities, will require further consideration and approval by the Council. The appointment of CBRE and Mandala Partners highlights Glasgow’s ambitions to strengthen its investment proposition and explore new partnerships capable of supporting long-term urban transformation. With residential growth, commercial investment and city centre regeneration increasingly interconnected, the proposed fund could become an important mechanism for unlocking development opportunities and supporting Glasgow’s next phase of growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Over £700m of public sector construction projects have now been procured through the latest frameworks of the North West Construction Hub (NWCH). Two leisure projects for Fylde Council at St Annes and Kirkham, with a combined procurement value of £10.16m, took the total value procured through the current NWCH frameworks beyond £700m. The schemes are being delivered in partnership with Places Leisure. Since 2023, projects procured through the frameworks have spanned local government, education, blue light services, leisure, regeneration and other community infrastructure. NWCH is a not-for-profit public sector procurement organisation and is led by a board comprising representatives from public sector organisations across the North West, with Manchester City Council acting as the legal entity behind the organisation. The Hub operates four construction frameworks, enabling public sector organisations to procure projects ranging from small works to major capital schemes worth more than £25m. These include its Small Works Framework for projects valued from £2,000 to £1m; Low Value Framework for schemes between £1m and £4m; Medium Value Framework covering projects from £3m to £8m; and High Value Framework for projects valued at £8m and above. The High Value Framework is itself divided into projects worth £8m to £25m and major schemes valued at more than £25m. One of the most high-profile projects procured through NWCH is Eden Project Morecambe, where VINCI Building was appointed through the High Value Framework in April 2026 to deliver the landmark development on Morecambe’s seafront. Current and recently procured schemes include the £85m St Helens town centre regeneration programme with VINCI; the £41.8m Radcliffe Hub; Morgan Sindall’s £17.6m Acoustics Building at the University of Salford; and an £8m programme at Wilmslow High School being delivered by Conlon Construction. Other projects include the £5.5m Heywood Civic Centre scheme, the £1.4m Radcliffe Enterprise Centre, a £900,000 project for National Museums Liverpool and a £1m Tawd Valley Housing scheme. Established in 2009, NWCH was created to help public sector organisations procure construction projects efficiently while improving collaboration and the wider value generated from public investment. Its frameworks have been developed by the public sector and provide organisations with access to contractors which have already undergone a rigorous procurement and evaluation process. NWCH says contractors can be appointed in as little as six weeks where project programmes require it. Arina Cernysiova, NWCH Framework Lead, said: “Reaching the £700 million mark is an incredible milestone and a fantastic reflection of the continued confidence our clients place in our frameworks. “NWCH is demonstrating what can be achieved through strong relationships and collaborative procurement, and we’re proud to see projects delivered through the Hub, supporting the continued regeneration of the North West. “We also place a major emphasis on ensuring public investment creates wider social value, supporting local supply chains, employment and skills, sustainability and long-term benefits for communities.” Jonathan Noad, Chief Officer Sustainable Growth at Lancaster City Council, said: “I have used NWCH for a number of years on a range of complex and smaller projects. One such recent project is Eden Project Morecambe. “The NWCH team is always willing to add value to our projects by bringing in their own expertise and perspectives and introducing us to other comparable projects. The fact they are run as a public body and pride themselves on social value sets them apart from other framework providers.” Warden Construction, which employs 97 people and is based in Lancashire and Warrington, is appointed to NWCH’s current Small Works, Low Value and Medium Value frameworks. Ian Williams, managing director of Warden Construction, said: “Passing £700m of projects procured through the current frameworks demonstrates the confidence public sector organisations across the North West continue to place in the Hub. “As a framework partner, we regularly see the benefits the Hub provides to local authority and public sector clients. Its greatest strength is that it offers a trusted, compliant and low-risk procurement route, giving clients confidence that projects can progress efficiently while maintaining high standards of governance and accountability. “Through its focus on social value, the Hub is also helping ensure public sector investment leaves a positive and lasting legacy in communities across the North West.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals