Waitrose Accelerates Expansion with New London and Manchester Stores
Waitrose has unveiled plans to open two new supermarkets in London and Manchester as part of its ambitious long-term growth strategy and £1bn investment programme. The retailer will launch new stores in Hale Barns, South Manchester, and Cricklewood in North West London, strengthening its presence in two key markets while continuing to modernise and expand its national estate. Together, the new supermarkets will provide more than 30,000 sq ft of retail space and are expected to open this autumn. The Hale Barns location is currently trading, while the Cricklewood store forms part of a newly developed site. The latest openings represent another significant step in Waitrose’s wider strategy to bring the brand closer to more customers through carefully selected locations and modern retail formats. Tina Mitchell, retail director at Waitrose, said the new stores are an important part of the company’s plans to expand its reach while continuing to deliver the quality, service and convenience that customers expect. The investment forms part of a broader programme that extends well beyond new store openings. Waitrose has identified supply chain modernisation, network expansion and estate improvement as key priorities for future growth. As part of this commitment, the retailer plans to refurbish 28 existing stores during the year, enhancing customer experience and ensuring its portfolio remains fit for the future. The programme reflects a growing trend among major retailers to invest in both physical stores and operational infrastructure as consumer expectations continue to evolve. The openings also support local employment, with existing Asda employees at the Hale Barns store set to transition into roles within Waitrose, while additional recruitment will take place across both locations. The announcement follows Waitrose’s recent move into the travel retail market, with its products now being stocked in four RELAY stores at Heathrow Terminal 2. The initiative marks the retailer’s first entry into airport retailing and forms part of a wider effort to reach customers through new channels and locations. With further investment planned across its store network, supply chain operations and customer experience initiatives, Waitrose continues to position itself for long-term growth while reinforcing confidence in the future of bricks-and-mortar retail. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Progress continues on Sturry Link Road with major Homes England backing
VolkerFitzpatrick is continuing to progress works on a £61 million infrastructure scheme designed to ease congestion and improve journey times for residents, businesses and visitors in Canterbury, Kent. The Sturry Link Road scheme began in April and will create a new route between the A28 and the A291 at Sturry. It will provide a bypass for the heavily congested Sturry Level Crossing and the busy Island Road junction, helping to improve connectivity across the area. Kent County Council (KCC) has secured £48.5 million in funding from Homes England to support delivery of the project, with the agreement signed in March 2026. This funding will play a vital role in enabling the scheme to progress. The Sturry Link Road scheme includes the construction of a new viaduct spanning the River Stour, its floodplain and the railway line. The scheme also features new roundabouts at either end, connecting to a future east–west route north of the railway that will link Sturry Hill and Shalloak Road. Once complete, the wider Sturry Relief Road will address long-standing congestion issues in the area, where traffic on the A28 is frequently delayed by the level crossing. The new route will provide an alternative option for road users, reducing queues, improving journey reliability and enhancing access to Sturry railway station. The project also incorporates a range of features to support sustainable travel and safety, including a shared footway and cycleway, a dedicated southbound bus lane towards Canterbury, new pedestrian crossing points and road lighting along the route. In addition to improving transport connections, the scheme will support planned housing growth in Sturry and Broad Oak, ensuring that essential infrastructure is delivered alongside new homes, jobs and economic opportunities. Representatives from KCC recently visited the site on Thursday 28 May to view progress being made on the scheme alongside the VolkerFitzpatrick project team. Peter Osborne, KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said:“This is a major investment for the area, and the support from Homes England is vital in helping us deliver the infrastructure needed to unlock new homes, support local businesses and improve everyday journeys. “It’s great to see work progressing well on the Sturry Link Road, which will make a real difference to people who regularly experience delays at the level crossing. “Once complete, the new road will provide a more reliable route for residents and visitors, while also creating better connections across the local network.” Pauline Schaffer, Homes England Director of Housing and Infrastructure Grant Funding, said:“This latest milestone is an excellent example of how funding from Homes England is helping to deliver the vital infrastructure and homes needed to unlock thriving places that communities can be proud of. “It’s great to see progress on the Sturry Link Road, and we look forward to continuing to support KCC to achieve its ambitions.” Andrew Avery, Senior Project Manager at VolkerFitzpatrick, said:“We are delighted that construction has begun on this vital scheme. The new route will ease congestion at the level crossing, improve journeys and unlock growth for local communities. Working in partnership with Kent County Council, we’re proud to be delivering long-term infrastructure that will make a real difference across the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Celnor Group companies appointed by Imperial War Museums
Riverside Environmental has been appointed to part of a prestigious, £4.5m consultancy framework for specialist services by Imperial War Museums (IWM). Riverside Environmental will be supported in the three-year contract by fellow Celnor Group (Celnor) companies Brownfield Solutions and CHPK Group, demonstrating the collaborative capabilities of the £250m revenue Group. IWM’s estate comprises of five diverse and historically-significant sites which attract over 2 million visitors each year to tell the story of people who have lived, fought and died in conflicts involving Britain and the Commonwealth since the First World War. In central London are Churchill War Rooms, which are housed in Churchill’s secret headquarters below Whitehall, the Second World War cruiser HMS Belfast and IWM London, which has recently transformed with new, permanent and free Second World War Galleries, The Holocaust Galleries and the Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries. The additional two locations include IWM Duxford, Britain’s best preserved wartime airfield and IWM North, a museum housed in an iconic award-winning building in Manchester designed by Daniel Libeskind. Riverside Environmental is the only SME out of the five companies awarded a place on the specialist services framework, which covers a range of services for IWM’s estate including; surveying, fire strategy & risk assessment, principal designer/health & safety and ground contamination/remediation consultancy. Riverside will be partnering with Celnor Group sister companies Brownfield Solutions and CHPK Group to provide a breadth of expertise working in diverse and protected environments. Jonathan Francis, Managing Director at Riverside Environmental, said: “Imperial War Museums is a nationally-significant project and we are looking forward to working with our colleagues at Brownfield Solutions and CHPK Group to provide the services in Lot 1 of the framework. With access to skills and services across the country, and globally if needed, as part of Celnor Group, we can satisfy complex contract requirements and embark upon a broad range of exciting and diverse projects.” Simon Parrington, CEO and Founder of Celnor Group, said:“This high-profile framework appointment reflects the strength of the Group’s capabilities and the collaborative approach employed by the companies. Uniting specialist companies in the TICC sector, all of whom are entrepreneur-led, creates a unique group of experts who can effectively combine to deliver interesting and important contracts such as this.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Planning permission secured for landmark transformation of Bristol’s Canons Wharf development
Kinrise and Mactaggart Family & Partners (MF&P) announce next chapter for iconic Harbourside site, set to become a best-in-class workplace and cultural destination Kinrise and Mactaggart Family & Partners (MF&P) has secured planning permission for the transformation of Canons Wharf, one of Bristol’s most recognisable waterfront sites, marking a major milestone in the reimagining of the iconic Grade II listed estate on the city’s Harbourside. The ambitious redevelopment will see the former Canons House building re-positioned as a vibrant, mixed-use campus, delivering 197,000 sq ft of high-quality workspace alongside industry-leading amenities, cultural spaces and public-facing destinations. Located in the heart of Bristol’s thriving Harbourside, the development will combine striking architectural heritage with contemporary design, creating a working environment like no other that reflects the city’s dynamic business and cultural community. The scheme will enhance the landmark crescent and circular buildings overlooking Lloyds Amphitheatre, reinforcing their status as one of the city’s defining architectural statements. The approved plans will deliver a range of premium facilities designed to support modern ways of working and wellbeing, including: Together, these amenities will position Canons Wharf as a destination workplace, blending productivity, wellbeing and community with a strong cultural offer, akin to the city’s identity. Sustainability is also central to the scheme, which will adopt a low-carbon retrofit approach, retaining and enhancing the existing structure while introducing energy-efficient systems, water-source heat pumps and all-electric infrastructure. Once complete, the development will provide highly flexible Grade A office space suitable for both single occupier headquarters and a multi-tenant campus, supporting Bristol’s continued growth as a leading UK regional business hub. Kilian Kleine, Investment Director & Head of Development at Kinrise, said;“Securing planning permission for Canons Wharf is a significant step forward in bringing this exceptional building back to life. Our vision is to create a workplace that is not only best-in-class in terms of design and sustainability, but one that genuinely adds to the energy of Bristol’s iconic Harbourside. “By combining architectural design with carefully curated amenities, from social and cultural spaces to wellbeing-led facilities, we are creating a destination where businesses and people can truly thrive. Canons Wharf will be a place that reflects Bristol’s ambition, creativity and sense of community, and we’re excited to move into the next phase of delivery.” Widely recognised as one of Bristol’s most distinctive buildings, Canons Wharf has long played a central role in the city’s commercial life. Its transformation will re-establish the site as a focal point for business, innovation and cultural events, while opening up new opportunities for engagement with the local community. With a preferred contractor in the wings, the works are expected to begin imminently, with the redevelopment set to deliver a new chapter for Bristol’s Harbourside, one that blends heritage, sustainability and forward-thinking design to create a truly iconic workplace destination Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sheffield Sets Sights on £300m Moorfoot Gateway Regeneration
Sheffield City Council and Homes England are moving forward with plans for a major £300m residential-led regeneration of the Moorfoot gateway site, as the city looks to unlock a new phase of brownfield development. The partners have begun preliminary market engagement with developers and investors for the 12-acre Moorfoot Catalyst Site, located south of The Moor. The scheme is expected to play a key role in reshaping this part of Sheffield city centre, delivering new homes, commercial space, retail uses and improved public realm. The first phase will focus on the former Wickes site and the landmark Moorfoot Building. Together, they are expected to deliver around 725 homes, alongside new commercial and retail space. Around 320 of the homes are planned within the refurbished Moorfoot Building, which council chiefs say would become one of the largest commercial retrofit projects in the UK. At least 10% of the homes delivered through the scheme are expected to be affordable, supporting Sheffield’s wider housing ambitions while bringing new life to a prominent city centre site. Plans also include a new public square and improved connections between London Road, Ecclesall Road and Sheffield’s main retail and business districts. These links are intended to make the area more accessible and better connected, while encouraging movement between key parts of the city. A central part of the vision is the retention and reuse of the Moorfoot Building. Sheffield City Council said this approach would preserve an estimated 14,400 tonnes of embodied carbon, underlining the project’s focus on sustainable regeneration and the value of adapting existing buildings rather than replacing them. The current market engagement process will help shape the funding model, delivery strategy and procurement route before a formal tender is launched later this year. Interested parties have until 19 June 2026 to respond to the preliminary market engagement questionnaire. Kate Josephs, Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council, said: “We’re delighted to bring the Moorfoot site to market. “This is a truly unique and exciting development opportunity that will act as a catalyst not only for this site, but for surrounding brownfield land and future phases of regeneration. “The Moorfoot Building itself is a distinctive piece of architecture that always sparks conversation, and its transformation will form one of the largest commercial retrofit projects in the UK.” If delivered, the Moorfoot regeneration could become a major catalyst for Sheffield’s next wave of city centre growth, combining housing, retrofit, placemaking and sustainable urban renewal. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Students now learning the key points of Renters’ Rights Act 2025
Students at New College Durham Learn About Major Renters’ Rights Reforms and what Landlords need to Know. From 1 May 2026, sweeping changes to the private rental sector have been in effect under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, fundamentally reshaping how tenancies are managed across England. The new legislation introduces stronger protections for tenants while placing clearer legal responsibilities on private landlords. The reforms apply to individuals renting privately under assured or assured shorthold tenancies. They do not generally affect those living in social housing or lodgers sharing accommodation with a resident landlord. One of the most significant changes is the abolition of so-called “no-fault” evictions, previously issued under Section 21. From May, landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without providing a valid legal reason. Instead, all evictions must be based on specific and lawful grounds for possession. Paul Bandeen of New College Durham emphasised the importance of awareness and education as the changes take effect:“The reforms are a significant shift in the private rental sector. It’s crucial that both tenants and landlords understand their rights and responsibilities under the new legislation. We are committed to providing clear, accessible information and guidance at New College Durham.” The Act also brings an end to fixed-term assured tenancies. All qualifying tenancies will automatically become rolling (periodic) agreements, continuing indefinitely unless ended by either party in line with the new legal framework. Existing Assured Shorthold Tenancies will transition seamlessly into Assured Periodic Tenancies, ensuring continuity for tenants. Further changes relate to how and when rent can be increased. Rent review clauses written into tenancy agreements will no longer be valid. Instead, landlords must follow a standardised legal process under Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988. This limits rent increases to once per year and requires at least two months’ formal notice using a prescribed form. Any increase must reflect the current market rate, with tenants given the right to challenge excessive rises through a tribunal. As the new rules come into force, tenants and landlords alike are encouraged to review their current agreements and seek advice where needed to ensure compliance. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals