Cadent expands its presence in Birmingham with a move into Prologis Park Bromford Gate
Prologis has signed its first deal with Cadent, a 10-year lease for DC4 at Bromford Gate, one of Birmingham’s premier industrial and logistics parks. Located adjacent to its existing National Distribution Centre, the 80,000 sq ft DC4 enables Cadent to consolidate its Birmingham-based operations at Bromford Gate. The agreement marks the start of a new relationship between the two companies, with Prologis working closely with Cadent to take a proactive and creative approach to the deal and building specification. With a lease agreement between parties reached in short timescales, Cadent is now undertaking fit-out works, with the ambition of becoming operational in DC4 in early in 2027. Robert Martin, Real Estate Strategy Manager at Cadent, said: “Bromford Gate is in a prime position for national distribution and with Birmingham being an important location for Cadent, the availability of the site was both well-timed and well-placed. We progressed quickly to secure the unit and look forward to being operational on completion of the fit out works.” Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network, managing 82,000 miles of pipes throughout the Northwest, East and West Midlands, East of England and London. The move will create approximately 100 new jobs in Birmingham, expanding Cadent’s local employment base and economic contribution to the West Midlands. Tom Price, Leasing Director at Prologis, said: “It’s been great to work with Cadent on this deal, which represents a new relationship for both companies. We look forward to doing more together in the future.” The agreement adds to the established customer base at Prologis Park Bromford Gate, with GXO, Stellantis and Fischer Farms also operating from the park. It reinforces Bromford Gate’s position as a prime urban logistics location and demonstrates the value of a flexible approach that supports customer requirements. With Bromford Gate now fully leased, Prologis’ available space in the West Midlands is currently concentrated at Prologis Park Coventry. Newly refurbished DC13 offers 228,000 sq ft of space, while DC8 offers 184,000 and is undergoing refurbishment scheduled for completion in December 2026. Prologis was represented by Darby Keye, Harris Lamb and Colliers, Cadent was represented by Avison Young. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stepnell secures place on Pagabo developer-led framework, unlocking new opportunities for Stepnell Developments
Stepnell has secured a place on Pagabo’s new £26bn Developer-Led Framework, creating new opportunities for its dedicated property arm, Stepnell Developments Ltd, to partner with public-sector organisations to deliver vital estate rationalisation projects involving the repurposing and redevelopment of operational and surplus property assets. The appointment to Lot 5, covering commercial projects worth up to £50m across the Midlands, South West and South East, will allow Stepnell Developments to lead the delivery of complex, developer-led schemes under Stepnell Group. The appointment sees Stepnell as one of nine suppliers in Lot 5, bringing the total number of appointed suppliers to 52 across all lots. Managed by Pagabo on behalf of centralised procurement authority YPO, the appointment will build on Stepnell Group’s extensive experience collaborating with public sector clients and stakeholders. The framework will run over a four-year term, used by councils, NHS trusts, housing associations and education clients procuring complex regeneration and development projects through compliant routes. David Whitlock, development director at Stepnell Developments, said: “Securing a place on the Pagabo Developer-Led Framework is an important but natural step for the wider group, supporting our ambition at Stepnell Developments to work more closely with public-sector landowners and explore development opportunities where our capabilities across development, investment, construction, and energy can add real value. “It’s a brilliant opportunity to build on this experience and further develop our two-way collaboration with Pagabo and its partners to drive the best possible outcomes through the framework. This includes aligning closely with Pagabo’s digital agenda, and we intend to leverage the combined platforms and established systems to drive innovation and enable data-rich decision-making. “We are actively looking for opportunities where our commercial property development experience can help bring forward financially viable projects with the right environmental credentials, and social value. We welcome discussions with local authorities and other eligible public-sector organisations that have land or buildings with development or asset-enhancement potential.” This, the second iteration of the Developer-Led Framework provides an established procurement route for eligible public-sector organisations seeking to progress suitable development projects, subject to the framework’s scope, terms and applicable procurement requirements. Jonathan Parker, development director at Pagabo, said: “Our developer-led procurement solution is a unique market leading delivery vehicle capable of bringing client ambitions to fruition and changing the landscape of our built environment, which has also successfully driven forward the regeneration sector in recent years. “Delivering projects worth £10.7bn in gross development value and more than 36,000 new homes, while overcoming prominent challenges such as viability and risk, we’ve built on the first version of the framework and remain confident that those appointed to this next generation version will be well positioned to ensure continuous quality, value for money, collaboration and impactful social value. We’re now offering a full turnkey solution that the public sector has been crying out for.” The appointment to the Developer-Led Framework builds on the wider Stepnell Group’s recent framework success – including the appointment of Stepnell to two lots of Pagabo’s National Framework for Major Works, spanning the North West, South West, Yorkshire and the Humber, Midlands and Wales. To find out more about Stepnell Developments, visit https://StepnellDevelopments.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Actis welcomes £1 billion Budget boost, but says more must be invested in workforce training
An additional £1 billion of funding towards building social and affordable homes announced in this week’s Budget has been welcomed by insulation specialist Actis. But it adds that while this is excellent news both for those in desperate need of a home and for the construction industry, more investment must be made into developing the current and next generation of builders. The latest Checkatrade’s annual UK Trade Skills Index report says the nation needs 1.3 million new skilled tradespeople and 350,000 apprentices over a decade to meet housing construction and net-zero targets, with overall demand for skilled tradespeople outpacing supply at a 3-to-1 ratio. And last autumn, NHBC chief operating officer David Campbell warned that a significant expansion of the housebuilding workforce was vital to enable the government to hit its housebuilding targets. This week’s Budget announcement brings the total for the ten-year Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) to more than £40 billion. The first £9.58 billion of that was allocated last month to 39 housing associations, councils and regions in England, including Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, the North East, West Yorkshire, the Liverpool City Region and South Yorkshire. It will be used to fund the construction of 73,600 homes, with 60 per cent available for social rent. Actis UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper said: “While this funding will help provide homes for many and employment for the construction industry, further investment in skills training is vital in order to attract the very people who will be able to make this vision a reality.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Xeden Energy invests in first Cat® excavators
Solar construction contractor Xeden Energy has invested in its first Cat® machines from Finning UK & Ireland as it expands the equipment used to deliver ground-mounted solar projects across the UK. The investment includes two Cat 313 hydraulic excavators and one Cat 320 hydraulic excavator, which will work on earthmoving, site preparation, drainage and trenching across the company’s solar farm projects. Established in 2021 and based in London, Xeden Energy, Construction and Renewables specialises in large-scale solar projects, delivering piling, mechanical and electrical installation, alongside the wider civil and infrastructure activities required to prepare and complete sites. Xeden’s investment comes as the UK solar market continues to expand. Government figures show there were more than 2.1 million solar installations across the UK by the end of July 2026, with total installed capacity reaching 23 GW, at least 38 per cent of which came from ground-mounted or standalone solar installations. Mahmut Aydin, Director at Xeden Energy, said: “We work on projects across the country, so the aftercare for the machines is just as important to us as the equipment itself. If an excavator is working hundreds of miles from our base, we need to know we can still get the same level of service and support. “We’re continuing to grow and take on larger solar projects. Bringing the Cat excavators into the fleet gives us reliable machines for the civil engineering side of the work, as well as one support network wherever the project happens to be.” The excavators are equipped with integrated Cat technology including Cat Grade with 2D, which provides operators with on-screen guidance to manage depth and slope when carrying out work such as grading and trenching. Cat 2D E-Fence can also be used to set boundaries around the machine, helping operators work on busy solar installations. Xeden and Finning can also use telemetry data in the form of VisionLinkTM to remotely monitor information including machine location, utilisation, fuel consumption and diagnostic fault codes across the fleet, giving the team greater visibility of equipment working on geographically dispersed projects. The machines have been supplied with a three-year/3,000-hour warranty alongside a matching Customer Value Agreement (CVA) covering servicing. The agreement provides Xeden with a fixed hourly servicing cost covering parts, labour and travel, with Finning managing servicing wherever the machines are operating in the UK. Under the Fuel Promise Scheme operators who purchase a new Cat machine with a CVA are given a model-specific fuel consumption benchmark. If the machine exceeds that benchmark over three years or 6,000 hours, Finning reimburses the customer with credits that can be spent on Finning parts and service. Charlie Dennis, Territory Account Manager for the South East at Finning UK & Ireland, said: “Xeden’s equipment moves between projects around the country, so they need consistent servicing, access to engineers and visibility of what is happening with the machines wherever they are working. “We’ve got one of the strongest dealer and product support networks in the UK, so whether Xeden has a machine working in the South East or in Scotland, it is supported through the same Finning network. “We have branches and field support across the country, backed by our national parts availability, which means we can provide a consistent level of service wherever their projects are.” To find out more about Cat machines and technology from Finning UK & Ireland, visit: www.finning.com/en_GB/industries/construction.html Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GPE Unveils Major Soho Square Redevelopment with 90,000 Sq Ft of Offices and Retail
Great Portland Estates (GPE) has announced plans to redevelop its Soho Square Estate in central London, delivering approximately 90,000 sq ft of premium office and retail accommodation in one of the West End’s most prominent commercial locations. The major mixed-use development will provide approximately 75,000 sq ft of modern office space alongside 15,000 sq ft of retail accommodation fronting Oxford Street, creating a new commercial destination within the heart of London’s West End. Located close to Tottenham Court Road station, the redevelopment will benefit from excellent transport connections, including access to the Elizabeth line, strengthening the area’s appeal to major office occupiers and retailers. The scheme forms part of GPE’s wider investment strategy to expand its portfolio of high-quality commercial properties in central London, complementing its existing Soho assets, including 141 Wardour Street and 16 Dufour’s Place. Demolition works are expected to commence shortly, with the completed development targeted for summer 2030. The project represents a significant investment in the transformation of existing commercial property, responding to growing demand for modern, well-connected workplaces and high-quality retail environments. The proposed office accommodation will be positioned to attract businesses seeking a flagship headquarters in the West End, while the Oxford Street retail frontage will contribute to one of London’s most established shopping destinations. Piers Blewitt, Director of Development Management at GPE, highlighted the strategic importance of the redevelopment. “This is a rare opportunity to create a flagship HQ at one of the West End’s most sought-after locations,” he said. “Just moments from Tottenham Court Road station, the scheme builds on our successful Elizabeth line strategy and responds directly to demand for best-in-class, well-connected workplaces.” Blewitt added that GPE believes the development will enter the market at an advantageous time, with the company estimating that demand for premium office accommodation will significantly exceed supply between now and 2030. For the construction and commercial property sectors, the redevelopment represents another substantial addition to London’s office and mixed-use development pipeline. The project also reinforces the continued importance of Oxford Street and Soho as destinations for commercial investment, where modern office accommodation, retail facilities and transport connectivity are central to long-term property strategies. With completion scheduled for summer 2030, GPE’s Soho Square Estate redevelopment will deliver a major new commercial building, strengthening the West End’s office market while introducing additional retail space to one of the capital’s busiest shopping districts. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Landsec Completes £516m Metrocentre Takeover in Major UK Retail Property Deal
Landsec has completed its £516 million acquisition of Metrocentre in Gateshead, securing ownership of one of the UK’s largest shopping and leisure destinations in a significant transaction for the commercial property investment sector. The acquisition, completed for a net cash consideration of £516 million following a competitive bidding process, represents a major addition to Landsec’s retail property portfolio and reinforces investor confidence in established, high-performing shopping centres. Metrocentre attracts more than 16 million visitors annually and has benefited from a £60 million investment programme led by Sovereign Centros, supporting improvements to the destination and strengthening its retail and leisure offering. The centre currently boasts a 95% occupancy rate and generates approximately £650 million in annual retail sales, demonstrating its importance to the North East’s retail economy. Spanning 1.86 million sq ft of lettable floorspace, Metrocentre accommodates 282 stores, including major international and national retailers such as Apple, Sephora, Zara, Marks & Spencer, Primark, Next, JD Sports, LEGO, Bershka and Stradivarius. The destination is also preparing to welcome fashion retailer Lefties, further strengthening its tenant mix. The transaction includes an adjacent retail park comprising approximately 200,000 sq ft of additional retail accommodation across 15 units, bringing the combined property portfolio to more than two million sq ft. For Landsec, the acquisition provides an opportunity to build upon Metrocentre’s established performance while exploring future investment in retail facilities, tenant accommodation and the wider customer experience. Martin Healy, Chair of Metrocentre, welcomed the completion of the transaction. “The successful completion of the sale represents an important milestone for Metrocentre and a positive outcome for its stakeholders,” he said. “It also reflects the centre’s position as a major UK retail and leisure destination, recognising the progress and investment made in recent years.” Healy highlighted Landsec’s experience in managing major retail destinations and its ability to support Metrocentre’s continued development. The acquisition reflects the ongoing importance of large regional shopping centres within the UK commercial property market, particularly destinations offering strong occupier demand, established customer footfall and opportunities for long-term asset management. For the construction, refurbishment and retail fit-out sectors, continued investment in major shopping destinations can generate opportunities for store modernisation, building improvements and the repositioning of existing commercial space. With its extensive retail estate, strong occupancy and established visitor numbers, Metrocentre represents a substantial addition to Landsec’s portfolio. The £516 million transaction marks a new chapter for the Gateshead destination, positioning it for continued investment and development under one of the UK’s leading commercial property owners. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals