Strident supports compliant lift and escalator maintenance with trusted back-up batteries
Battery specialists, Strident Batteries, are helping lift and escalator maintenance providers meet the ongoing demands of safety and compliance with a trusted range of backup batteries. According to research conducted by Openreach, there are more than 300,000 passenger and goods lifts in operation across the UK. And, whilst there is no official figure, there are likely tens of thousands of escalators across shopping centres, airports and other buildings in the UK, including over 570 in the London Underground network alone. In recent years, passenger lifts and escalators have been subject to an increasing number of regulations and standards, including the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Building Safety Act, which place responsibility on building owners and facilities managers to ensure systems are properly maintained. With increasing emphasis on compliance and safety, facilities managers and lift maintenance professionals need dependable backup batteries to help keep critical systems operational and meet regulatory requirements. “Most lifts require servicing at least once or twice a year, with back-up batteries often replaced as planned preventative maintenance. And, as regulations surrounding lift and escalator maintenance continue to evolve, reliable backup batteries are an increasingly important part of keeping systems safe, operational and compliant,” explains Caleb Deayton, Managing Director of Strident Batteries. Many lifts and escalators rely on back-up batteries to power essential systems like emergency lighting, alarm systems and communication devices in the event of a mains power failure. Plus, BS 9999 Annex G recommends that lifts intended for evacuation during a fire, particularly for people with reduced mobility, are provided with an independent back-up power supply, such as dedicated batteries. “Service providers need products they can depend on to deliver long-lasting performance between inspections – not only for safety, but to protect their reputation too. Our batteries are created with carefully selected raw materials and advanced absorbent glass matting to provide dependable performance and long service life” adds Caleb. With more than 20 years’ experience supplying high-performance batteries across a range of industries, Strident Batteries work with lift manufacturers, maintenance contractors and facilities management companies to provide dependable back-up power solutions, including a fire-retardant range. Plus, they pride themselves on understanding the demands of lift and escalator maintenance for the professionals themselves. “In addition to supplying high-quality products, we focus on making the purchasing process as straightforward as possible. With same-day dispatch on orders placed before 15:30, no minimum order quantities and a dedicated account manager, we’re committed to helping maintenance professionals access the batteries they need, when they need them” concludes Caleb. For more information about Strident Batteries, visit www.strident.uk.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Peldon Rose reports record growth as it opens the doors to new studio
Peldon Rose, a leading London office design and build specialist, has reported record growth, increasing annual revenue by 222% over the last 5 years to £88 million. This momentum has led to the opening of its second studio space in Wimbledon, designed to support the company’s continued growth. Peldon Rose has completed 36 projects in the last year alone, with a further 300 projects supporting existing clients across its full suite of services, delivering 615,000 sq ft of office space for clients across a range of industries including financial and professional services, gaming and technology. This includes office design and build projects for next-generation health and life insurer Vitality, commercial real estate and project management firm Avison Young, algorithmic trading firm XTX Markets and international strategy consulting firm, OC&C. To strengthen delivery, Peldon Rose has also expanded its expert team by 141% in the last 5 years, bringing the total headcount to 145 employees. As the company has grown and approaches its 40th anniversary next year, Peldon Rose is celebrating an additional milestone with the opening of its new workspace. Located a stone’s throw from its flagship headquarters in Wimbledon, Studio Two will provide additional space for its designers to collaborate. Peldon Rose will now work across two connected locations, within one network. The Worple Road office will continue as the main client hub, with its dedicated ‘Studio One’ on the second floor for creative teams to come together. The new ‘Studio Two’ will function as a shared project space, designed to bring people together from across the business for project work and other collaborative activities. Jitesh Patel, CEO of Peldon Rose, commented: “Although we’re only halfway through 2026, it has already been a fantastic year for Peldon Rose. Not only have we recorded our highest financial turnover to date, but we have also opened a second studio to enhance our services for clients and to provide even greater opportunities for our teams to collaborate and innovate. “We’re proud to be working with a wide range of clients across London and beyond, delivering people-centric and high-performing workspaces that make a real positive impact for our clients. This continued growth is testament to the care and expertise of our amazing people, who come together to design, deliver and maintain these incredible projects in partnership with our clients. I’m excited to see the next set of projects come out of our new studio space in the coming months.” Since launching in 1987, Peldon Rose has gained a reputation for its high-value, exceptional quality office design and build projects, focusing on workspace strategy, bespoke solutions and end-to-end delivery. To find out more about Peldon Rose, visit: https://www.peldonrose.com/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SushiDog Expands with Landmark Restaurant at The Broadway, St James’s Park
The Broadway at St James’s Park is continuing to strengthen its position as one of central London’s premier mixed-use destinations after SushiDog confirmed it will open its second-largest restaurant at the development this September. The fast-growing Japanese dining brand has selected the one million sq ft scheme for its latest expansion, with the new 1,138 sq ft restaurant becoming one of its flagship locations and providing seating for up to 28 guests. Founded in 2018, SushiDog pioneered the UK’s first build-your-own sushi concept and has since grown rapidly into one of the country’s fastest-expanding Japanese food brands. The latest opening will add to its portfolio of 16 restaurants across Central London and Birmingham. The arrival of SushiDog further enhances the retail and hospitality offer at The Broadway, joining an established collection of food and beverage operators including Farmer J, Açaí Berry, Nostos Coffee, GAIL’s and Atis. For the construction and property sectors, the latest letting demonstrates the continued success of mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial and retail uses within carefully curated urban environments. Designed by Squire & Partners and asset managed by Valouran, The Broadway occupies the historic former New Scotland Yard site in the heart of St James’s Park. The landmark regeneration scheme is arranged across six buildings and delivers 116,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation, 24,000 sq ft of retail and dining space at ground level, together with 258 high-quality homes. The signing of SushiDog means that 13 of the development’s 14 retail units are now occupied, representing 82% of the scheme’s retail and dining floorspace and reflecting strong demand from premium operators seeking a presence in one of London’s most prestigious mixed-use destinations. Alex Michelin, Co-Founder and CEO of Valouran, said: “SushiDog is a fantastic addition to The Broadway’s line-up of retail and dining brands and the first Japanese concept to join the development. As one of London’s fastest-growing food brands, we’re excited to see SushiDog open its doors this September, further enhancing the culinary offering for our residents and the wider St James’s Park community. This latest letting reflects the strong momentum we continue to see at The Broadway, following the recent openings of Atis and GAIL’s.” Greg Ilsen, Co-Founder of SushiDog, added: “We’re delighted to be opening at The Broadway this September. As our second-largest restaurant to date, it marks another important milestone in SushiDog’s growth across London. The Broadway’s St James’s Park location, together with its evolving retail and dining offer, made it the ideal home for the next opening. We can’t wait to welcome guests through the doors.” The letting was brokered by CBRE, which continues to market the remaining retail opportunity at the development. With a carefully curated mix of office space, homes, restaurants and retail, The Broadway continues to demonstrate the strength of high-quality mixed-use regeneration, attracting leading occupiers while creating a vibrant destination for businesses, residents and visitors in the heart of Westminster. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Deeley Construction completes Bloor Homes’ BREEAM-excellent Midlands regional HQ
Bloor Homes has officially opened its new £5.2m Midlands regional headquarters in Wall, Lichfield, bringing its teams together in a modern, purpose-built workspace designed to support the next stage of the housebuilder’s growth across the region. The 18,500 square foot, two-storey building was delivered by Deeley Construction, and now serves as the operational base for more than 50 members of staff, with capacity to train and develop further employees as Bloor Homes continues to address critical regional and national housing needs. Paul Degg, Regional Managing Director for Bloor Homes’ Midlands region, said: “This represents a new chapter for Bloor Homes Midlands; the investment we have in our teams and creating the right environment for collaboration is important as we continue to deliver high quality new homes and communities across the region. “We have created a workspace that not only reflects modern working practices and meets our needs today, but also futureproofs the way our teams will work for years to come. Here’s to the next chapter from our new home.” Designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent certification, the new headquarters places sustainability at its core, incorporating 160 solar panels, 20 electric vehicle charging points, permeable paving and a sustainable urban drainage system. BREEAM – the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method – is used to specify and measure the sustainability performance of buildings. Excellent certification demonstrates that stringent benchmarks relating to reduced carbon emissions, low impact design, adaptation to climate change, ecological value and biodiversity protection have been met. The new Bloor Homes Midlands headquarters is located at Wall, Lichfield. Career opportunities across the Midlands region can be found at: bloorhomes.com/careers For further information about Bloor Homes’ developments across the Midlands, visit: bloorhomes.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Green light for capital projects secures investment in 28 new Cat® machines from Finning
Almost 30 new machines have now been delivered to civil engineering and plant hire business The Walters Group as the UK heads into a new era of large infrastructure project delivery. The investment supports large infrastructure and quarrying contracts across England and Wales and brings the five-year total of machines supplied by Finning UK & Ireland to Walters to 400. The most recent order includes a series of excavators, soil compactors and dozers designed for high-level precision and peak efficiency on large-scale sites. Among the 28 machines is a stand-out Centennial Edition D6 XE dozer, painted Centennial Grey to mark 100 years of Caterpillar®. Dai Walters, Group Chairman at The Walters Group, said: “I am extremely proud to see the Cat Centennial Edition D6 join our fleet. Over the last 45 years we have owned and operated a huge number of Cat machines from rigid dump trucks, large wheel loaders and dozers through to mini excavators as the scope of some of our work has somewhat changed particularly more locally.” All the machines have been supplied with a four-year / 8,000-hour warranty and complete Customer Value Agreements (CVAs) ensuring the investment is optimised for maximum reliability and performance. Darren Bodio, National Account Manager at Finning UK & Ireland, said: “Walters and Finning have a long history of working together and it is a partnership that continues to grow with the success of Walters Group. “Projects that are shaping the industry this year are the major infrastructure, transport and housing schemes. To seize these opportunities, customers like The Walters Group need a fleet of machines that can handle significant workloads and ensure deadlines are met. High-performance equipment like the Cat machines delivered to Walters directly contribute to efficiency and quality of delivery and ultimately project success. “Thanks to the long-standing relationship with Finning, Walters has the confidence to commit to another substantial fleet investment that will support its versatile and agile working methods.” Huw Richards, Group Managing Director at The Walters Group outlined that the family owned business believes in offering stability in times of economic unpredictability is important to help customers build operational resilience. He said: “We provide certainty of delivery through owning, operating and maintaining one of the largest heavy plant fleets in the UK. Our reputation for delivery is based on a right-first-time approach, an engaged workforce and a commitment to utilising modern equipment and working methods. “Staying invested helps to foster long-term growth and through Finning we know we are dealing with experts who understand not only our needs but those of our customers. We can’t wait to see these latest additions join our varied and extensive fleet, helping to drive economic growth through key, milestone projects to upgrade infrastructure and accelerate productivity.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tonroe Group Tops £1bn as Data Centre Boom Powers Record Growth
Technical construction and engineering specialist Tonroe Group has surpassed the £1 billion turnover milestone for the first time, with surging demand for hyperscale data centres and a strong performance across the UK driving record financial results. The Gerrards Cross-based group reported revenue of £1.19 billion for 2025, representing a 27% increase on the previous year, while pre-tax profits rose 15% to £48 million. The growth has been fuelled by a rapidly expanding international portfolio of data centre projects alongside continued investment in specialist technical construction across multiple sectors. A significant proportion of the group’s success has been driven by its overseas operations, with international projects now generating just over half of total revenue at £608 million. Major contracts secured during the year include work on one of Europe’s largest hyperscale data centre campuses in Portugal, together with projects across Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. The group’s UK contracting arm, TSL Ltd, also delivered another strong year, increasing turnover by 12% to £592 million and forecasting revenues in excess of £600 million this year, supported by a healthy secured order book. Although pre-tax profits at TSL eased from £27 million to £25 million due to changes in project mix and operating margins, the business strengthened its financial position by increasing cash reserves to almost £70 million while expanding its workforce by nearly 48% to 372 employees. Throughout the year, TSL completed a diverse range of technically complex projects spanning logistics, manufacturing, aviation and food production. These included two major facilities for Greggs, a robotic fulfilment centre in the North East, a significant data centre in the South East and a new aircraft engineering hangar for Jet2. The contractor also commenced work on a fourth manufacturing facility at SmartParc SEGRO Derby for a major international food producer, while continuing to grow its presence across automated logistics, cold storage, advanced manufacturing and pharmaceutical developments. As part of its strategic focus on specialist technical construction, TSL also completed the disposal of its Rockland Concrete division following the financial year-end. The business generated approximately £20 million of revenue during 2025 before being sold through a trade and asset transaction. For the construction and built environment sectors, Tonroe Group’s latest results underline the continuing strength of investment in digital infrastructure, with data centres remaining one of Europe’s fastest-growing construction markets. Demand for highly specialised engineering expertise, combined with growth in advanced manufacturing, logistics and mission-critical facilities, is creating significant opportunities for contractors capable of delivering technically demanding projects. Jackie Wild, Group Chief Executive, said: “2025 was a year of strong growth across the Group, driven by our valued client and supply chain partnerships and sustained focus on consistent delivery. “We also continued to invest capital in the business to enable our sustained growth as we deliver complex projects across a wide international footprint. “With a strong pipeline confirmed for 2026 and beyond, including major capital projects spanning several years, we remain focused on delivering technical construction and engineering excellence for our clients.” With a robust order book and major international projects extending well into the future, Tonroe Group is well positioned to build on its record-breaking performance as investment in hyperscale data centres, advanced industrial facilities and mission-critical infrastructure continues to accelerate across the UK and Europe. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals