Buxton Set for £100m Town Centre Transformation
Plans have been submitted for a major £100m-plus regeneration of The Springs shopping centre in Buxton, paving the way for a new residential-led neighbourhood in the heart of the Derbyshire town. Developer Capital&Centric is working with High Peak Borough Council to bring forward the transformation, which would replace the existing shopping centre with a mixed-use scheme designed to reconnect the town centre, improve public space and support long-term investment. The proposals include 332 homes for rent, made up of a mix of townhouses and apartments. The development will also provide space for bars, shops and cafés, helping to create a more active and vibrant destination for residents, visitors and local businesses. A key part of the scheme is the improvement of routes through the town centre, including a better pedestrian connection from Buxton railway station. Plans also include new public squares, riverside spaces, additional greenery and a feature lift serving the station entrance, making the area more accessible and welcoming. Capital&Centric said the latest plans have been shaped to include a wider housing mix, more landscaping and two new public toilet blocks. Residents will also have access to shared amenities including a gym, mini cinema and co-working space, reflecting the developer’s focus on creating neighbourhoods that combine homes, community and lifestyle. The design approach takes inspiration from Buxton’s historic character, with colonnades, bay windows, limestone and gritstone proposed to echo the town’s architectural heritage while delivering a modern new quarter. John Moffat, joint managing director at Capital&Centric, said: “There’s a real opportunity here to create something that celebrates Buxton’s heritage and character while also giving the town centre the revitalisation it deserves. “We can’t wait to get spades in the ground and make this vision a reality.” High Peak Borough Council previously acquired The Springs shopping centre after securing £6.6m from the Government’s Future High Street Fund and committing £4.2m of its own funding. If approved, the scheme would mark a significant step forward for Buxton, delivering new homes, stronger town centre connections and a renewed public realm designed to support the town’s future growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Carnaby Street set to welcome Eme Studios set for UK debut
Shaftesbury Capital has announced the signing of streetwear brand Eme Studios, set to open at 57 Carnaby Street. The arrival will mark the brand’s UK debut and its first permanent store outside of Spain. Eme Studios was born in Spain in 2018, inspired by modern streetwear aesthetics and culture. The brand currently operates physical locations in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, and trades online in over 100 countries. The new 1,500 sq ft Carnaby Street store will feature a refined collection of men’s, women’s, and unisex pieces, including knitwear, jackets, and other apparel. The chic and timeless interior will translate the brand’s signature aesthetic, fostering a sense of exclusivity. The brand’s decision to enter the UK market with a first-ever bricks-and-mortar store reflects Eme Studios’ strategic expansion, targeting Soho for its reputation as a world-famous shopping and cultural hub, and successful launchpad. Eme Studios follows in the footsteps of several international brands that started their UK journey in Soho, including the likes of Adidas Originals, Axel Arigato, Autry, and Alohas. William Oliver, Director of Retail & Restaurant Leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “Carnaby Street is a timeless, iconic destination that offers the ideal environment for digitally native brands to start physical retail journeys in the UK. Eme Studios complements our existing brand mix at the southern gateway into Carnaby Street, with its culture-driven clothingmatching consumer demand. Given the success of Edikted, TALA, Sheep Inc, and other digitally native brands, it is clear why Carnaby Street and Soho continue to be first-choice for these best-in-class retailers.” Gabriel Morón, Co-Owner of Eme Studios, commented: “Expanding into the UK has always been a goal for us, so securing a location that aligned with our vision was crucial. Carnaby Street offers a global platform and attracts the type of audience that resonates with our uniqueaesthetic. The success we have seen both online and in Spain has demonstrated the brand’s long-term potential, and establishing a presence in Soho is instrumental in solidifying our position in one of the most competitive retail markets.” Eme Studios will sit at the Southern gateway of Carnaby Street, joining other high-calibre brands, Farm Rio, TALA, and the recent addition of Edikted. The new 4,800 sq ft store for the latter also marked a UK debut, and first location outside of the US, bringing its signature street-style and runway-inspired womenswear to the heart of Soho. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fuse Energy acquires 20MW solar farm from Caerphilly County Borough Council to power 6,000 homes and accelerate grid flexibility
Savills Earth Capital Advisory (SECA) has advised Caerphilly County Borough Council (Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Caerffili) on the sale of Cwm Ifor Solar Farm, a fully consented 20MW solar project located near Caerphilly, South Wales, to Fuse Energy, one of the UK’s fastest-growing energy suppliers, for an undisclosed sum. The project is expected to connect to the grid in December 2026, with the potential to generate enough clean energy to power approximately 6,000 homes annually. Cllr Amanda McConnell, Caerphilly Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, says, “This agreement is an important step in tackling the climate emergency and increasing renewable energy in Caerphilly. The Cwm Ifor Solar Farm could power around 6,000 homes with clean electricity, while supporting a more flexible and resilient energy system. We’re pleased to be working with Fuse Energy to bring this project forward and deliver lasting environmental and economic benefits for our communities.” Henry Grant, Director, Savills Earth Capital Advisory, comments, “We’re pleased to have supported the Local Authority with this transaction. Investor appetite for solar remains strong as these projects continue to play a critical role in accelerating the UK’s transition to a low carbon energy system.” The acquisition expands Fuse Energy’s growing renewable portfolio with a current 1GW pipeline across solar and wind projects. It follows the company’s strategy to integrate generation, infrastructure, and supply under one roof, aimed at reducing costs passed onto the consumer and improving energy system efficiency. Fuse Energy plans to develop Cwm Ifor using in-house engineering, procurement and construction. A previous solar project was recently completed by the company at a 30% lower cost per MW peak than industry average. The Cwm Ifor Solar Farm project marks a significant step in scaling Fuse Energy’s renewable generation portfolio and advancing a lower-cost energy system in the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Tower Hamlets Lines Up £500m Housing Upgrade Programme
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is preparing to launch a major £500m housing works programme, aimed at improving homes, strengthening compliance and delivering long-term investment across its residential estate. The east London council has placed contractors on alert ahead of a formal procurement process expected to begin this summer. The programme will support Tower Hamlets’ wider capital investment plans and is set to cover a broad range of major works, including housing refurbishments, fire safety improvements and essential building upgrades. The council plans to divide the programme into eight major contracts, creating a substantial pipeline of work for contractors with experience in residential refurbishment, compliance-led improvements and estate renewal. The scope is expected to include fire-prevention installations, electrical upgrades, plumbing works and wider overhaul projects across the borough’s housing stock. Initial contracts are expected to run from October 2027 to November 2031. However, the framework could be extended in phases through to 2041, creating the potential for a 14-year delivery programme. This would provide Tower Hamlets with a long-term route to procure planned investment works while giving the market greater visibility over future opportunities. Tower Hamlets is expected to use the Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. The approach allows more flexibility in the procurement process, including scope for dialogue and negotiation with bidders during the tender stage. This could help the council shape contract delivery around its estate requirements, compliance priorities and value-for-money objectives. A procurement launch briefing has been scheduled for 10.30am on 16 June at Tower Hamlets Town Hall in Whitechapel. The event will give interested firms an overview of the proposed procurement structure, the council’s housing stock profile and the indicative scope of the contracts. The formal tender notice is currently expected to be issued on 3 August. The programme represents a significant opportunity for contractors operating in housing maintenance, retrofit, fire safety and refurbishment. It also underlines the scale of investment required by local authorities as they work to improve ageing housing stock, meet evolving safety standards and provide better homes for residents. Once underway, the Tower Hamlets programme is expected to play a central role in delivering safer, more efficient and better-maintained council housing across the borough. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Prologis and George Clarke launch campaign as major DIRFT construction programme gathers pace
Prologis UK has partnered with TV presenter and architect George Clarke on a new content campaign designed to challenge perceptions of logistics buildings and bring greater visibility to one of the UK’s most essential but often overlooked sectors. The campaign includes a new brand film, The Power of Logistics, and a six-part docuseries, Logistics Unboxed. Fronted by Clarke, the series goes behind the scenes at Prologis RFI DIRFT, where 1.8 million sq ft of logistics space is currently under construction. Across the series, Clarke follows the development journey from groundwork through to completion, exploring the design, engineering, sustainability and specialist expertise behind modern logistics spaces. George Clarke said: “Most people don’t think about logistics buildings, but they are part of the hidden architecture of everyday life. Once you get behind the scenes, the scale, design and engineering involved is genuinely fascinating. These are spaces that keep the country moving, and I’m excited to help tell that story with Prologis.” The campaign launches as activity at Prologis RFI DIRFT continues to gather pace, with three build-to-suit developments under construction for Marks & Spencer, XPO / Arla and Laura James alongside the speculatively developed DC107. Prologis is also continuing to progress the wider development of DIRFT, including work linked to the completion of Phase III and the progression of future phases. Together, the activities underway underline the scale of activity at DIRFT and its role as one of the UK’s most important logistics locations. Paul Weston, Regional, Head at Prologis UK, said: “Warehouses are part of the infrastructure of everyday life, but they are rarely seen by the wider UK population who rely on them. We wanted to open up the story behind these buildings and show the thought, innovation and expertise that goes into creating them. George brings genuine curiosity, credibility and a passion for the built environment, making him the ideal partner for this campaign.” Logistics Unboxed is now available via Prologis UK’s website and on social media channels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Study Inn Wins Student Accommodation Operator of the Year at RESI Awards 2026
Study Inn has been named Student Accommodation Operator of the Year at the Property Week RESI Awards 2026, widely regarded as one of the most distinguished accolades in the UK’s residential property market. The award highlights operators who are truly setting the standard, delivering exceptional resident experiences, driving innovation, and going beyond expectations in an increasingly competitive market. The judges commented: “Study Inn truly sets the benchmark in student accommodation, delivering exceptional service backed by outstanding resident satisfaction scores. With an innovative all-inclusive model and a market-leading wellbeing offer, they have created a best-in-class student experience.” Matt Shakespeare, Managing Director of Operations at Study Inn, commented: “We continually evolve our offering to meet the needs of our guests, and this award is an endorsement of our intense focus on making sure every resident feels safe, supported and truly at home. It’s a testament to our team’s commitment in delivering our brand standards.” The RESI Awards celebrate innovation, excellence, and leadership across the UK residential property industry, recognising developers, investors, and operators who are making a meaningful impact. For Study Inn, this recognition reinforces its position as the leading serviced accommodation operator in the student sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals