Vinci Steps In to Deliver £73m Southport Events Venue
Sefton Council has appointed Vinci Building as its preferred contractor for the £73m Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport, bringing momentum to a project that has faced previous delays. Vinci Building has now signed a pre-construction services agreement with the council and will work alongside the project team over the coming months to prepare the waterfront scheme for delivery. The appointment follows unsuccessful negotiations with Kier and John Graham Construction last year, making Vinci the third contractor to be lined up for the scheme. The Marine Lake Events Centre is planned as a multi-purpose venue capable of hosting entertainment, conferences and major events. It will replace the former Southport Theatre with a new 1,200-seat auditorium alongside exhibition and flexible event space. While the main construction contract has yet to be signed, Sefton Council said full works are expected to start later in 2026. Significant enabling works have already been completed, including the demolition of the old theatre building and extensive sheet piling along the lakefront to create new retaining walls. The council and Vinci Building are already partners on the Bootle Strand regeneration project, providing a foundation for collaboration on the Southport scheme. Council leader Marion Atkinson said the authority was confident in the appointment, citing a shared vision and commitment to delivering a complex and ambitious project. She added that the new venue would create jobs, attract hundreds of thousands of visitors and provide a world-class events destination for the borough and the wider Liverpool City Region, delivering long-term economic and cultural benefits. Vinci Building regional director Gary Hughes described the project as a flagship opportunity for the contractor. He said the appointment would allow Vinci to work closely with local businesses and the Southport community, with benefits expected both during construction and long after completion as the council’s ambition to attract major events to the town takes shape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
£250m Cancer Centre Set to Rise at Royal Sussex Hospital
Laing O’Rourke has been appointed as main contractor for a major new £250m cancer centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The project has moved a significant step forward after funding was formally confirmed by the UK Government and the New Hospitals Programme. Once complete, the new facility will serve as a regional Centre of Excellence for cancer care, supporting patients across Brighton & Hove and the wider Sussex area. The scheme builds on the successful completion of the neighbouring The Louisa Martindale Building, also delivered by Laing O’Rourke, reinforcing the contractor’s ongoing role at the hospital campus. Peter Lyons, Managing Director at Laing O’Rourke, said the project would be transformative for both patients and staff. He highlighted the company’s extensive experience in hospital delivery, noting that lessons learned from previous healthcare schemes would be used to improve safety, efficiency and build quality. The contractor plans to draw on digital design, offsite manufacturing and its integrated supply chain to streamline construction while reducing disruption for local residents. These methods are expected to support faster, safer delivery while maintaining a high-quality clinical environment. The new cancer centre is set to play a central role in the future of specialist care in Sussex, offering modern facilities designed to enhance patient experience and create a better working environment for healthcare professionals. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilding sector shows early signs of recovery as firms ramp up productivity and innovation investment
The latest Barclays Business Prosperity Index report1 reveals that despite affordability pressures, regulatory challenges and financial caution, four in five businesses (83 per cent) operating in housebuilding and its supply chains remain confident about their outlook for the year ahead. Barclays’ anonymised client data from around 70,000 UK businesses, combined with research from 500 industry leaders1 and 2000 consumers2, also shows strengthening activity at the start of the development pipeline, sustained buyer demand for new-build homes and a major uplift in planned investment. Key findings from the Barclays Business Prosperity Index include: Sector investment and innovation gathers pace Talent, skills and AI are all becoming major investment focus areas. Four in 10 (40 per cent) businesses with skills shortages are investing in new construction methods to reduce manual labour, alongside developing early career schemes (39 per cent), and focusing on training and upskilling (36 per cent). Meanwhile the average intended AI investment of £441,281 reflects growing demand for AI assisted design and planning (37 per cent), renewable and energy efficient materials (36 per cent), business management automation software (35 per cent) and building information modelling (29 per cent). Momentum is particularly strong in Electronics, where intended AI spend exceeds £500,000, while trades such as Plumbing (£380,000), Carpentry (£347,320) and Painting & Decorating (£328,371) signal smaller, though material allocations. Future Homes Standard: A top priority but confidence in readiness lags Nearly all firms (98 per cent) say aligning with the Government’s Future Homes Standard is a priority for the next 12 months, yet 82 per cent express concern about their readiness. Key areas where support is most needed include installing low carbon heating systems (21 per cent), applying the new Home Energy Model (20 per cent) and meeting updated ventilation standards (18 per cent). Despite this, businesses are taking proactive steps, with 30 per cent investing in specialist equipment, training and technology to boost compliance. Strong Gen Z new-build appetite despite affordability pressures A quarter of homeowners (25 per cent) report they live in a new-build property. This rises amongst first-time buyers, with nearly half (47 per cent) of those who bought their first home in the past year opting for a new‑build property. New properties are most popular amongst Gen Z (61 per cent of homeowners) with desirable location named as the top driver of purchases (28 per cent). A fifth (20 per cent) cited favourable mortgage terms, such as higher loan-to-value ratio, and 17 per cent also reported energy efficiency as a major reason for buying new. This comes as young people report improving, but significant affordability challenges, as 61 per cent of Gen Z hoping to buy a home in the next 12 months said that mortgage rates have a bigger impact on affordability than house prices themselves. Despite strong buyer demand, there are still barriers to building. A quarter (25 per cent) of housebuilders report high construction costs as a major barrier, followed by rising inflation, cost of raw materials and meeting the requirements of the Future Homes Standard (all 19 per cent). Location, location, location Over the next 12 months, new-build property developers expect that consumers’ desire for customisation options, such as layout and finishes, to have the greatest impact on their approach (31 per cent), followed by expectations for upgraded digital infrastructure including high speed broadband (27 per cent). However, consumers report slightly different priorities. When surveyed about which features most influence their choice of property, the top factor was access to gardens or communal green spaces (42 per cent), followed by proximity to transport hubs (31 per cent) and proximity to parks or countryside (30 per cent). Just 17 per cent named digital infrastructure as a key influence, and just 11 per cent cited customisation. Jason Constable, Head of Real Estate, Barclays Corporate Banking, said: “The level of innovation we’re seeing across the industry from larger developers to specialist trades is encouraging, with businesses investing in technology, skills and modern construction methods to boost productivity. “These innovations, combined with stronger consumer demand for new-builds, present a significant opportunity for housebuilders. While affordability and planning delays still pose challenges, the underlying strength of demand points to clear potential for growth as market conditions stabilise.” John Ainsworth, Head of Real Estate, Barclays Business Banking, added: “Activity is generally subdued among SME housebuilders, with nearly three in 10 expecting no increase in output in the year ahead. Yet SMEs are working hard to overcome skills shortages and regulatory alignment, with their resilience coming through strongly as they show confidence in their future success. “If the industry is to hit the Government’s target and build the much-needed homes of the future, it’s vital we continue to support the scaleup of smaller regional players. At Barclays we are committed to providing the external finance needed to scale via our Business Prosperity Fund.” The Barclays Business Prosperity Fund is available to new and existing Business Banking and Corporate Banking clients across the UK to apply for lending and refinancing on existing projects. Terms and conditions apply. Businesses can read the full Barclays Business Prosperity Index Housebuilding report and find out more about the Business Prosperity Fund at home.barclays/businessprosperity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Acero Construction appoints Bob Thompson as Non-Executive Director
Acero Construction is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Thompson as Non-Executive Director, effective 1 February 2026, further strengthening the company’s board with significant sector expertise and strategic leadership experience. Bob brings a wealth of knowledge from across the construction and piling industries, having held senior leadership roles within leading organisations. His appointment reflects Acero Construction’s commitment to sustainable growth and to supporting its clients through high-quality, independent support services, with a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement across the business. In his role as Non-Executive Director, Bob will act in an advisory capacity, working alongside the board and senior leadership team to support Acero Construction’s long-term strategic growth plans, governance, organisational development, and the continued advancement of innovative solutions that add value for clients and partners. Welcoming the appointment, Karl Nelson, Founder and Managing Director of Acero Construction, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Bob to Acero Construction. He brings a strong understanding of the construction sector and of business at the highest level, along with first-hand experience of what clients value and expect from a support partner like Acero. As we continue to innovate and improve the way we work, Bob’s experience and practical insight will be a real asset to the business and to our people.” Commenting on his appointment, Bob Thompson said: “I am delighted to be joining Acero Construction as a Non-Executive Director. Acero has built a strong reputation for its values-led approach, with a clear focus on people, culture, and doing the right thing for clients and partners. Returning to the piling industry via Acero allows me to indirectly support my many former colleagues without the potential to be in competition with them. Acero’s position as an independent support services provider is clear and essential, and I look forward to supporting the Acero team to maintain this ethos as the business continues to grow.” The board at Acero Construction welcomed Bob’s appointment, noting that his experience, insight, and understanding of the industry will be a valuable addition as the company continues to expand its services, embrace innovation, and strengthen its role as a trusted partner within the construction and piling sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Costa Coffee sets sights on next wave of UK store expansion
Costa Coffee has outlined a fresh set of acquisition requirements as it looks to continue expanding its estate across the UK. The coffee chain opened more than 80 new stores in 2025 and is now targeting further growth across a range of locations, including retail parks, high streets, shopping centres and travel destinations. A key focus of the expansion strategy is also the continued rollout of drive-through formats. Within retail parks, Costa is seeking units ranging from 1,500 sq ft to 2,500 sq ft, with external seating and nearby car parking. Both freestanding and in-line units will be considered, particularly in out-of-town locations with strong traffic flow and close proximity to foodstores, retail and leisure clusters. For high street and shopping centre locations, the operator is looking for similarly sized units between 1,500 sq ft and 2,500 sq ft, again with outside seating where possible. Costa is also open to opportunities in locations such as universities, hospitals and leisure destinations, where consistent footfall supports all-day trading. Travel locations form another strand of the growth plan, with Costa seeking sites within transport hubs and train stations. Units from as little as 125 sq ft are being considered in these settings, including grab-and-go kiosks, standard retail units and suitable conversions, provided footfall levels are high. Drive-through expansion remains a priority, with Costa targeting units between 1,250 sq ft and 2,200 sq ft. Ideal sites will be located in out-of-town areas, close to foodstores, retail warehousing and leisure uses, and will include a dedicated drive-through lane, external seating and either dedicated or shared car parking. Property adviser Savills, which was appointed by Costa in 2025, is leading the search for suitable new locations as the brand continues to build momentum across its UK estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
£74m Low-Carbon Refit Approved for Bristol’s Landmark Canons Wharf Offices
A £74m redevelopment of Bristol’s prominent Canons Wharf office complex is set to move forward after a major financing agreement cleared the way for construction to begin. Puma Property Finance has secured its largest loan to date, providing £74m to support a joint venture between Mactaggart Family & Partners and Kinrise. The funding will enable a comprehensive low-carbon refit of the Grade II-listed waterfront estate, located at the heart of Bristol’s Harbourside. The scheme will transform the former Lloyds Banking Group regional headquarters into around 165,000 sq ft of modern office accommodation across two buildings, complemented by 18,000 sq ft of food and beverage space overlooking the Amphitheatre. Designed for flexibility, the buildings can operate either as a single corporate headquarters or as a multi-let campus, responding to changing occupier demands. Alongside office space, the redevelopment will deliver a wide range of amenities aimed at creating a high-quality workplace environment. These include a gym and wellness facilities, saunas, an auditorium, a rooftop pavilion, landscaped gardens and terraces, helping to position the scheme as a leading example of next-generation office design. Sustainability sits at the core of the project. The refit is targeting BREEAM Excellent, EPC A, WiredScore Platinum and SmartScore Gold ratings. A low-carbon retrofit strategy will be employed, retaining and reusing the existing structures to significantly reduce embodied carbon while upgrading performance through improved glazing and natural ventilation. The all-electric buildings will be powered by green energy and will utilise water-source heat pumps drawing from the adjacent harbour. Rooftop solar panels, new tree planting and extensive green landscaping will further support the scheme’s environmental credentials. Originally designed by Arup Associates and constructed by Bovis Construction in the late 1980s, Cannons House was awarded Grade II-listed status in 2023 in recognition of its architectural importance and contribution to the regeneration of Bristol’s docks. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026, with practical completion targeted for late 2027. Once complete, the project is expected to play a key role in redefining Bristol’s office market, delivering a landmark example of sustainable retrofit within a historic urban setting. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals