Whitbread opens the doors to flagship Hub by Premier Inn hotel
Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hotel business and owner of Premier Inn, opened yesterday [Wednesday 4th February] formally open its latest hotel in the City of London – setting a new benchmark for affordable hotel design in the capital. It brings 212 contemporary hotel bedrooms – which will be operated under Whitbread’s popular hub by Premier Inn brand – to an area packed with history, culture, global landmarks and international business headquarters. Taking care to respect the heritage aspects of the building, the hub by Premier Inn London Farringdon (Old Bailey) is built within a Victorian-era former police station, retaining many of the original features of the era including a historic entrance way, ‘reading room’, staircase and a dramatic atrium that celebrates both old and new architecture. Hotel guests and visitors to the City will be able to enjoy a free-to-enter cultural space at the entrance to the hotel and in a central atrium space, featuring the work of two Goldsmith’s trained London-based artists – Hilary Yip and Leily Mojdehi – designed to integrate the hotel within the City of London’s ‘Culture Mile’ initiative. Unique heritage bedrooms have been designed at the front of the Grade II listed building, and the ‘hub’ brand’s compact bedrooms are also arranged across the rear new building, set behind a historic retained façade across eight storeys. Affordable hotels are in high demand in the City of London as domestic and international guests increasingly seek out value from which to enjoy the City’s many unique cultural attractions and leisure opportunities, and to take advantage of the Square Mile’s transport connections, particularly the Elizabeth line. It is a use the City of London Corporation has been encouraging through its ‘Destination City’ growth strategy to attract more visitors and workers into the Square Mile which recognised the opportunity for hotels, alongside office workspaces, for which it is internationally renowned. Whitbread has been operating Premier Inn hotels in the City of London catchment since 2013 and has stepped up investment in recent years to meet consistently high customer demand and to capitalise on opportunities to transform former office buildings into high quality, affordable hotels. Following the opening of the London Farringdon (Old Bailey) hub by Premier Inn hotel, the FTSE100 hotel company now offers its guests a choice of seven Premier Inn and hub hotels across the City with a further two Square Mile locations under construction or in planning. Nationwide, nearly 30% of the FTSE100 hotel company’s development pipeline are hub by Premier Inn hotels, the majority of which are focused in the capital. Jonathan Langdon, Senior Acquisition Manager for Whitbread, said: “We have poured our heart and soul into creating a showcase development at Farringdon (Old Bailey) – demonstrating how affordable hotels like hub by Premier Inn can breathe fresh life into vacant historic buildings in Central London. “The new hotel achieves so much, creating a fantastic new addition for our customers, retaining heritage, and contributing towards a buzzing and vibrant seven-day-a-week City of London through the activity and spending of our guests. “We’re very proud with what we have achieved and are grateful to the vision and hard work of so many people who have contributed to make the development happen.” Whitbread acquired the former City of London Snow Hill Police Station from the City of London Corporation and worked closely with City planners to create a hotel development that balances the need to revitalise the site whilst respecting its heritage. Tom Sleigh, Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation, said: “The transformation of the former Snow Hill Police Station into a modern, affordable hotel shows how heritage and planning innovation can work hand in hand, an excellent example of how thoughtful, high-quality design can bring new life to one of the City’s historic buildings. “As we continue to diversify the Square Mile’s offer, projects like this help ensure the City remains a vibrant, welcoming and culturally rich place for workers, residents and visitors alike. We welcome Whitbread’s commitment to celebrating the area’s history while supporting the City’s growth.” Whitbread’s hub by Premier Inn is designed for locations in major cities where property prices are relatively high but, thanks to the brand’s smaller room format, is able to deliver a strong commercial performance whilst providing affordable rooms for guests. Launched on St Martins Lane in Covent Garden in 2014, the brand now offers nineteen centrally located hotels and almost 3,300 bedrooms in locations across Central London and Edinburgh City Centre. In line with Whitbread’s sustainability strategy, Force For Good, the hub by Premier Inn London Farringdon (Old Bailey) hotel is powered by electricity backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) – with the building incorporating heat recovery systems and air source heat pumps to create a low energy demand. The hub also features a blue roof design, which means it stores the rainwater and releases it slowly to reduce flood risk in the area. A team of 35 have been recruited or offered opportunities for career progression with Whitbread through the new hotel opening – with new job opportunities promoted to residents of Central and Inner London. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
£1bn London Cancer Hub set to transform UK life sciences landscape
Plans for a £1bn expansion of the London Cancer Hub in Sutton have been granted planning consent, paving the way for one of the UK’s most significant investments in cancer research, treatment and life sciences infrastructure. Backed by Aviva Capital Partners alongside developer Socius, the scheme will create a major new campus bringing together global pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, clinicians and manufacturers in a single, highly connected environment. Designed by Gensler, the development will deliver a mix of specialist research and innovation space, including wet laboratories, advanced manufacturing facilities and flexible offices aimed at encouraging collaboration across industry, academia and healthcare. Supporting amenities will include a dedicated Learning Lab, cafés, a crèche and landscaped public spaces, alongside 220 affordable homes for key workers. The campus is positioned as nationally significant science infrastructure, aligning closely with government ambitions to accelerate growth in the UK life sciences sector and strengthen the country’s position as a global leader in medical research and innovation. Once complete, the London Cancer Hub is expected to support thousands of highly skilled jobs and act as a catalyst for wider economic growth across south London. Buildings will be arranged around new pedestrian and cycle routes, with a strong focus on placemaking and accessibility. The masterplan prioritises sustainability, with all buildings targeting net-zero carbon in operation and designed to promote healthy, low-energy environments for both researchers and residents. With planning now secured, the project is expected to move into delivery, with contractor procurement anticipated to begin shortly. Construction will mark the next major step in bringing the ambitious vision for the campus to life. The wider professional team includes Arup as structural and building services engineer and Aecom providing project management and cost consultancy services. Once delivered, the expanded London Cancer Hub will play a central role in accelerating breakthroughs in cancer treatment, fostering collaboration across disciplines and reinforcing the UK’s life sciences ecosystem for decades to come. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Experts reveal winter workwear mistakes construction workers make and how to avoid them
The winter months and their wet and cold weather bring many challenges to the construction sector and its workers, with one of these being the need for extra workwear maintenance. The harsh weather conditions can exaggerate dirt and debris, leaving PPE looking worse for wear and uncomfortable to use. Correct upkeep during these months helps maintain garment performance and wearer visibility, but laundering mistakes are common. Adam Halewood, Head of Sales at custom workwear supplier Clothes2order, reveals the most common winter workwear maintenance mistakes, the issues these cause and how to avoid them. Don’t skip the pre-wash tasks Adam says, “When you’ve changed out of your wet and muddy clothes after a day at work, most of us will throw them straight into the washing machine with little thought, but this is the first mistake many make. With workwear becoming heavily soiled with mud, dust and other debris from building sites in the winter months, it’s important to remove as much of this before clothing items go into the washing machine, not only to ensure all dirt is removed during the laundry process, but to keep your washing machine in top condition. You can usually shake excess dry debris from clothing or gently wipe items down with a damp cloth to remove surface marks, so it doesn’t have to be a time-consuming step. Always avoid harsh scrubbing, especially on hi-vis pieces, as this can damage reflective material, leading to non-compliance with safety guidelines. Once surface grime has been removed, always fasten up items and turn them inside out before putting them in the washing machine. This stops zips, Velcro and other fastenings from snagging on the items during the wash cycle, protecting from pulls, scratches and holes being made in the material.” Avoid harsh wash cycles Adam explains, “Once PPE is ready for the washing machine, the next most common mistake made is using harsh cleaning cycles, which can cause fluorescent-coloured fabrics to fade fast and shorten garment lifespan. When washing workwear, you should follow the manufacturer’s care label instructions in the first instance, but generally it’s advised to avoid running hot water cycles; instead, opt for a cool temperature of 30°C. Whilst it may be tempting to use stain remover or bleach on stains, these harsh chemicals can damage the fibres within clothing, leaving it at risk of developing holes and needing to be replaced more frequently, so they should also be avoided unless the care label suggests otherwise. The best practice is to use only mild detergent on a cool wash and a gentle cycle. To be extra sure that all the detergent residue has been removed and won’t cause any future damage, an extra rinse can also be used at the end of the cycle.” Check before you tumble dry “Most workwear needs to be air-dried, unless the label specifies it is safe for the tumble dryer”, Adam says, “The high temperatures used in tumble dryers can cause clothing to shrink, and with hi-vis items, this can lead to reflective strips becoming dull, degrading and in some extreme cases, melting. Whilst we typically have our radiators on during the winter months, drying PPE directly on these should also be avoided for the same reasons. If you find your items are still holding a lot of water after their wash cycle, never wring them out, as this can cause damage to the material. Instead, put them back into the machine for a spin-only cycle to help remove the excess moisture, before hanging them to dry on an airer in a well-ventilated room.” Adam concludes, “It is really important to keep on top of PPE workwear maintenance all year round, but in the winter months, extra care should be taken to ensure protective clothing remains in good condition. The weather in winter not only brings more dirt to construction sites, but days with little daylight, rain and fog bring poor visibility, making compliant hi-vis clothing even more vital to workplace safety.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NatWest sets new £10bn funding ambition for UK social housing
NatWest has today announced a new package of £10 billion of funding to the UK social housing sector before the end of 2028, which when deployed will bring the total funding to social housing in the UK to over £35 billion* since 2018. Through this new ambition, the bank is aiming to support the delivery and maintenance of social housing in the UK, which is vital to the people and families who rely on affordable housing, as well as the wider economy. NatWest has worked with not-for-profit housing associations across the UK to support their growth and development plans building homes and communities for many years. Recent government commitments will help unlock development and speed up delivery. In response, NatWest is committing billions in funding to housing associations, to help enable the development of high quality homes across the UK and support economic growth. The bank also confirmed it has now provided more than £25 billion of funding into the social housing sector since 2018, helping to create and sustain affordable homes nationwide. NatWest aims to support the delivery and upkeep of social housing across the UK, helping housing associations build new homes, upgrade existing properties, and improve living conditions. Some of this lending can help fund energy efficiency and environmental improvements, including retrofit projects. Other funding can help the housing associations sector to deliver a pipeline of new homes and improve living conditions in existing properties. Paul Thwaite, CEO NatWest Group comments: “We are incredibly proud to announce the early achievement of our £7.5 billion UK social housing lending ambition. Delivering this milestone a full year ahead of schedule demonstrates our commitment to making a real difference in people’s lives by investing in the homes and communities that need it most, and shows the demand in the market. “Reaching this lending ambition early has enabled us to set a new target of £10 billion to year-end 2028, so we can continue to provide social housing lending and play our part in supporting the development and availability of affordable and social rent homes across the UK.” Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “This government is backing a step change in affordable housing to end the housing crisis, with £39 billion for a new social and affordable homes programme and 10 year rent certainty for the sector. “NatWest’s investment will be vital in helping housing associations deliver thousands of affordable homes for families priced out of home ownership, building an economy that works for and rewards working people.” The announcement forms part of the bank’s new five point Growing Together plan, setting out how the bank will help build the conditions for UK wide growth: backing powerful regions, championing mid-market companies, strengthening the country’s infrastructure and housing foundations, boosting financial confidence amongst families and young people, and supporting the innovators shaping the future economy. Drawing on its regional footprint, expertise and convening power, the bank aims to bring businesses, communities, and policymakers together to tackle structural barriers, unlock productivity and spread opportunity across the UK. Recent research from Shelter revealed that 382,618 people are homeless in England – including 175,025 children. And the number of people officially recorded as homeless has risen by 8% in one year. According to Shelter, the shortage of social homes, unaffordable private rents and the freeze on housing benefit are pushing more people into homelessness and trapping them there. With limited pathways into secure, affordable homes, many people risk becoming stuck in temporary accommodation intended for short-term use, for months or even years. Over 90% of the people recorded as homeless – including 84,240 families – are in temporary accommodation. In addition to these commitments, last year NatWest announced several other initiatives and partnerships that have complemented and contributed to our social housing lending ambition being achieved. These include a financial guarantee of up to £400 million from the National Wealth Fund to cover a series of new loans from NatWest to registered providers of social housing stock in the UK. The bank also launched a new social rent loan product to support housing associations, which are already NatWest customers, to support the construction of social rent houses across the UK. In December 2025, this fund was doubled to £1 billion in response to strong demand and to help continue the delivery of homes for social rent across the country. These initiatives complement NatWest’s ongoing dedication to supporting communities and helping to address the housing crisis. VIVID secures £100m from NatWest as part of landmark £500m social loan fund In November 2025, UK housing association VIVID, secured £100 million in funding from NatWest as part of the bank’s social loan fund, designed to support the delivery of homes for social rent across the country. VIVID was the first to draw down funds from this. The facility offers discounted interest margins and no arrangement fees, meaning housing associations could save significant sums in finance costs and reinvest those savings into building and improving homes for those who need them most. These homes for social rent are expected to help ease the shortage of social homes, support vibrant local communities, and the funding should give VIVID the flexibility to keep building where it matters most. It will go towards building an additional 450 new social rent homes for more customers and comes with a 10-year loan term, providing stability for long-term investment. David Ball, Chief Financial Officer at VIVID, said: “NatWest’s new social rent loan product gives housing associations the financial flexibility to build more homes at social rent levels. The overall rate discount being offered is an innovative step change that shows NatWest’s commitment to supporting the Government’s Social Rent led agenda.” 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
Passing on skills to a new generation – Greencore celebrates National Apprenticeship Week
Josh Maskell, says: “I didn’t just want to learn simple carpentry, working at Greencore allows me to learn a variety of different skills on interesting sites. I’m keen to learn more about the company’s fabric-first approach and understand the Passivhaus standards that we build to. A typical day on-site involves working alongside experienced carpenters and learning new skills all the time. Every day is different, which keeps it interesting and helps me build confidence quickly.” “I’ve always been inspired by watching housebuilding videos on YouTube. Seeing projects come together made me want to build things myself,” he recalls. “I became interested in the construction industry after doing work experience in July 2024, where I tried site carpentry work and really enjoyed it. I heard about Greencore when they came into college to talk about opportunities. After that, I went through the interview process and was really pleased to be offered a role.” “My apprenticeship is helping me work towards becoming a qualified carpenter, and I’m particularly interested in the sustainable homes side of construction. It’s exciting to be part of projects that are building for the future.” Josh is enthusiastic about the apprenticeship scheme and its potential for career-building. He says: “I wanted to take an apprenticeship route because I like the idea of learning on the job and building a career in the industry. It’s been a great opportunity to start learning the trade properly while working on real construction projects.” Ian Pateman, Timber Frame Manager at Greencore Homes, and Josh’s line manager comments: “Josh’s enthusiasm for working with timber is fantastic to see. He’ll gain valuable hands-on experience from our skilled teams on site, which will help him learn new skills quickly. With fewer young people entering the industry today, passing knowledge from experienced professionals to the next generation is essential.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals