AAG takes out entire 710,000 sq ft Panattoni Park Rotherham
Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned developer of industrial real estate, has completed the letting of Panattoni Park Rotherham after Alliance Automotive Group (“AAG”) agreed a long term lease on the final 80,870 sq ft unit at the development. AAG, which already occupies the neighbouring 630,000 sq ft facility, will now occupy the entirety of the 710,870 sq ft park. The additional space supports the continued expansion of its regional and national distribution operations and the consolidation of other facilities to drive greater operational efficiency. AAG is a leading distributor of passenger and commercial vehicle parts to the independent automotive aftermarket across the UK and Europe. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company, the largest worldwide automotive parts distributor with Activities in North America, Europe and Australasia. Located immediately adjacent to Junction 1 of the M18 and within easy reach of the M1/M18 interchange, Panattoni Park Rotherham provides direct access to the wider South Yorkshire and national motorway networks. Rotherham 80 comprises 75,394 sq ft of warehouse accommodation and 5,476 sq ft of offices. The building has a 12.5 metre clear internal height, a 48 metre yard, four dock doors, four level access doors, and 750 KVA of power. It has achieved BREEAM ‘Very Good’ and an EPC ‘A’ rating. Scott Meakin, Development Surveyor at Panattoni, said: “AAG taking the final unit is a strong conclusion to the development at Panattoni Park Rotherham. Having initially committed to the adjacent 630,000 sq ft building, their decision to expand into Rotherham 80 means AAG will now occupy the entire park. This reflects the continued growth of its UK operations, giving the business the scale and flexibility to support rising order volumnes and deliver faster service to its customers across the UK. “One of the strengths of our development platform is our ability to deliver across both the mid-box and big-box sectors. This gives our customers the opportunity to grow within the Panattoni portfolio as their requirements evolve, whether through larger facilities, additional neighbouring space, or a combination of the two. “We remain committed to developing a range of unit sizes in the UK’s strongest logistics locations, giving occupiers the flexibility to expand, consolidate, and adapt their property requirements as their businesses grow.” Steve Richardson, Managing Director AAG Group UK & Ireland, said: “AAG are pleased to have worked with Panattoni to expand our presence at the Rotherham location, securing additional capacity for the continued growth of our distribution operations. Taking the full campus helps us further strengthen our network efficiency and expands our future growth capabilities. “Most importantly, this investment reinforces our commitment to customers. By increasing capacity and streamlining our distribution network, we will be better positioned to offer market leading product availability, support dependable deliveries and provide the high level of service our customers rely on.” The letting comes as Panattoni continues to expand its speculative development programme across the UK, targeting both large-scale logistics facilities and mid-box units in locations where it sees sustained occupier demand. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
City Centre South reaches major milestone as first tower begins to rise
A major milestone has been reached at Coventry’s transformational City Centre South regeneration project developed by The Hill Group, with the first tower now rising from the ground following the completion of demolition and extensive groundworks across the site. Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, Councillor George Duggins, Leader of Coventry Council and Councillor Lynnette Kelly, Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, joined Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Chief Executive of The Hill Group, and Regional Director, Stuart Bale, alongside Paul Loader, Director of Delivery & Aftercare at Legal & General, to celebrate the progress being made. The start of construction marks a significant step forward for one of the UK’s most ambitious city centre regeneration projects, paving the way for the transformation of Coventry city centre over the coming years. Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “City Centre South is exactly the sort of ambitious regeneration project that will help drive growth, create jobs and deliver the homes our region needs. Seeing the tower rise is a clear sign that progress is being made and this long-awaited development is becoming a reality. “Importantly, this first building includes 200 affordable homes, making it easier to get good quality housing right in the middle of Coventry. And with the skills hub recently opened on site, we are helping to train and offer job opportunities to local people too.” Under an agreement with Legal & General, Hill is delivering the affordable homes in this first phase of the regeneration, comprising 145 homes for social rent and 55 for Shared Ownership. These new homes will help to address local housing need while providing high-quality homes for people and families in Coventry. Andy Hill OBE, Founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said: “Seeing the first tower emerge from the ground is an incredibly exciting moment for everyone involved in the project at City Centre South. After years of planning, preparation, and with demolition and groundworks now complete, local people can now start to see tangible progress being made on site and the vision for this part of Coventry becoming a reality.” The milestone follows significant demolition works, enabling and infrastructure works across the site, allowing construction of the first residential building to progress at pace. Paul Loader, Director of Delivery & Aftercare at Legal & General, said: “This is an important milestone for us and a visible sign of the progress being made. Through our partnership with Hill, we’re proud to be delivering the first 200 affordable homes here, helping more people access high-quality housing while supporting the wider regeneration of Coventry city centre. Through our role in delivering these affordable homes, we are pleased to support a partnership that is focused on meeting local housing need, contributing to affordable housing targets and bringing forward energy-efficient homes that will benefit Coventry for the long term.” City Centre South is transforming a large section of Coventry city centre, delivering up to 1,575 new homes, alongside vibrant public spaces, shops, restaurants, cafés and commercial opportunities. The first phase of the regeneration will provide 991 new homes, 8,000 square metres of commercial space and 17,000 square metres of public open space. As construction accelerates, the development is also creating employment and training opportunities for local people through a range of initiatives including The Skills Centre, which was recently launched to help local residents gain the qualifications needed to access careers in construction. Councillor Lynnette Kelly, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said: “This is a landmark moment for Coventry. Over the last few months the City Centre South site has been transformed, and people can see it taking shape before their eyes. This development will bring lasting benefits for generations to come. And of course, it will also enable us to make some improvements to the market, which we know is really important to local people and the traders.” Naeem Akhtar, cabinet member for housing and communities, said, “The first tower rising from the ground represents much more than construction progress; it marks the delivery of much-needed affordable homes for local people, demonstrating our commitment to creating a city centre where people from all backgrounds can live, work and thrive.” For further information, visit City Centre South. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lakeside hits it out of the park, announcing 50,000 sq ft Destination Club De Padel signing
Lakeside, the UK’s sixth-ranked out-of-town super-regional destination owned and operated by SGS UK Retail, has announced the signing of leading urban padel and lifestyle brand, Club de Padel, for its third location and South of England debut. This sporting facility will further diversify Lakeside’s leisure offer and deliver a standout addition to the 8.5 million-strong catchment population that sits within an hour’s drive. Club de Padel’s arrival at Lakeside will provide visitors with access to a new area of the scheme, dedicated to active leisure. Located on the site of the former Pink Car Park, overlooking the extensive lakefront, the destination will span c. 5o,000 sq ft and comprise 12 padel courts, with four situated outdoors and eight located indoors for all-weather access. A glass and timber-clad clubhouse will complete the space, where visitors can enjoy barista coffee and a licensed bar, and shop both equipment and the brand’s bestselling retail range. The space will host a varied line-up of extra events, including run clubs, to appeal to the Lakeside visitor and encourage repeat visitation. Club de Padel will deliver an industry-leading coaching programme developed and refined by LTA-qualified coaches, which will offer players a six-stage pathway approach. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, Club de Padel’s southern debut and impressive multi-million-pound investment is a vote of confidence in Lakeside, reflecting both its dominance as the premium scheme within the region, and its ability to deliver dynamic, high-demand facilities for its catchment. Its positioning allows visitors to be transported out of a traditional retail destination setting, embracing the unique natural environment of the area, whilst being only a stone’s throw from The Quay and its surrounding F&B and leisure for extended dwell time. Robert Jewell, Managing Director of Asset Management at Pradera, commented: “This multi-million-pound investment from Club de Padel not only forms part of a wider £10 million masterplan at Lakeside, but also demonstrates that leading brands continue to recognise the destination as a key, super-regional hub. Club de Padel will completely transform the space overlooking the lake, and will continue to drive our 17.1 million annual visitors to dwell longer and make memories. It reminds us that Lakeside is more than a place to shop; it’s a lifestyle destination designed to serve the needs of its loyal visitors.” James Wigglesworth, Co-Founder of Club de Padel added: “As the padel market grows and evolves, it’s important we plant our roots in places with not just the promise of longevity and an engaged visitor demographic, but an understanding of how important active socialising is to the community. Lakeside’s position as a leading lifestyle destination means that it offers so much more than the average destination. Locations such as Lakeside are key in our success as we expand and grow, allowing us to build a strong community and a lasting presence. Lakeside’s unrivalled connectivity into London and the wider South East helps us to continue to deepen our commitment to accessibility – ensuring our clubs are equally accessible by rail, road, foot and bicycle.” This news follows a recent flurry of F&B activity so far this year, with the openings of GAIL’S, Black Sheep Coffee, Maki & Ramen, Smoke & Pepper, and a second location for Pret. This series of investments reflects the confidence and commitment brands have in Lakeside, as a result of the stellar success leading hospitality brands continue to experience at the destination. Smith Young and LM are Lakeside’s retail leasing agents, and Metis and LM lead the leisure leasing. Pradera asset manages Lakeside on behalf of SGS UK Retail. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sodexo recognised for social impact leadership through to operational excellence
This autumn Sodexo UK & Ireland has been recognised at a number of industry awards covering its leadership in driving social mobility, commitment to nurturing talent and delivering exceptional experiences for its clients across different sectors. Sodexo won the Leadership of the Year award at the annual Social Mobility Awards, held on 6 October. It was recognised for embedding inclusive recruitment and progression into its core business model using the scale of 30,000 colleagues to both deliver impact and reshape employer practice. Through initiatives such as Starting Fresh and inclusive talent pathways, Sodexo is creating direct access to employment and progression for underrepresented groups. Sodexo’s Culinary Academy was highly commended at the awards in the Progressive Programme category. Sodexo also celebrated with two wins at the 2026 Foodservice Cateys, Sodexo Live! group executive development chef Ian Page won Chef of the Year and Laura Moorcroft, regional support manager for Sodexo at Colchester Garrison was awarded the Extra Mile award for developing a partnership with Essex Cares, a local charity which supports people with learning disabilities, autism and other neurodivergent conditions and creating positive, inclusive and enriching workplace experiences for young people with special educational needs and disabilities, providing them with genuine routes to employment. Last week Gary Broadhurst, contract retail development chef at Colchester Garrison won Higher Apprentice of the Year at the East of England regional final of the National Apprenticeship Awards. Gary now progresses into the National final. Over the last month Sodexo teams have received recognition for delivering operational excellence for the company’s clients. This has included: Bill Buchan, HR Director, Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “At Sodexo, our people are our greatest strength, and these awards showcase the impact they make every day. From helping individuals overcome barriers to employment and progression, to delivering innovative solutions and exceptional service for our clients, our teams consistently live our values in action. Their commitment to improving quality of life, supporting communities and creating better everyday experiences for those we serve is what makes recognitions like these so meaningful. We couldn’t be prouder of what they have achieved together.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Orka Investments grows PBSA portfolio to more than 2,000 units after acquiring 226-bed scheme in Exeter
Orka Investments, the London-based real estate investment manager, has completed the acquisition of Hill View Place, a 226-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Exeter, through its joint venture with a global institutional real estate investor. Hill View Place is adjacent to the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus and a short bus ride from the city centre. Opened in 2022, the scheme offers a mix of en-suite rooms, studios, townhouses and penthouse apartments, alongside a gym, cinema lounge, games room, communal lounge and outdoor space. It is fully let for the 2026/27 academic year and boasts a strong historical occupancy. The University of Exeter is a member of the Russell Group and, according to UCAS data for the 2025 admissions cycle, recorded a 15.5% rise in applicants, the largest increase of any Russell Group university. Demand for the most selective universities continues to strengthen nationally. UCAS data for the 2026 cycle show applicants to higher tariff institutions rose 6.9% by the January deadline, well ahead of growth at medium and lower tariff providers. The acquisition was part funded with an acquisition loan from Investec Real Estate, with whom Orka has a long-standing relationship. The facility includes an accordion structure, which will support Orka’s growth ambitions. Orka’s joint venture launched in December 2025 with three acquisitions totalling c.1,300 beds in Birmingham, Glasgow and Aberdeen, with over 80% of beds catering to Russell Group university locations. Hill View Place is the joint venture’s first acquisition since this launch, taking the JV portfolio to 1,512 beds and adding a third Russell Group city alongside Birmingham and Glasgow. Like the seed assets, it is an established, high-quality, income-producing scheme, and it complements the portfolio’s growth into strong university markets. Including assets held outside the joint venture, Orka’s UK student housing platform now totals 2,080 beds across six schemes. Orka invests in operational real estate, principally student accommodation and hotels. Across both asset classes, income comes from individuals who stay in a building rather than from a long lease to a single tenant, so rents reset regularly and returns depend on how well each building is run. In student accommodation, Orka buys existing, income-producing schemes in cities with structural demand, at a discount to what they would cost to build today, and drives performance through active asset management and dedicated scheme-level operations. Raoul Malhotra, Founder and CEO of Orka Investments, said: “The years when student housing could rely on rapid rent growth are behind us, and that changes where returns come from. Students now choose between purpose-built accommodation, shared houses, build to rent and living at home. PBSA cannot always win that competition on price alone, so we win it on product, service and flexibility, and a well-located building like Hill View Place gives us everything we need to do that.” Philippe de Croÿ-Solre, Vice President, Investments at Orka Investments, said: “Hill View Place is a high-quality, fully let scheme in a Russell Group city where applicant numbers are rising faster than anywhere else in the group. We are pleased to have completed it efficiently alongside our partners and advisers, and we have further acquisitions in the pipeline.” Sebastian Walley, Investec Real Estate, said: “The UK remains a global higher education leader, which has underpinned our over 15-year track record funding high-quality, well-located student schemes. We are particularly comfortable supporting sponsors that understand the trends driving customer demand and manage leasing arrangements, as this usually results in a more reliable income stream that performs well across a cycle.” The joint venture was advised by Simmons & Simmons (legal) and Colliers (technical and environmental due diligence). Newmark acted for the vendor. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaren Secures Gateway 2 Approval for £229m Ebury Bridge Regeneration in Westminster
McLaren Construction has secured a major building safety milestone for the £229 million second phase of Westminster City Council’s Ebury Bridge Estate regeneration, paving the way for construction to progress on 334 new homes in the heart of London. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has granted Gateway 2 approval across four separate applications covering five residential buildings, providing the regulatory clearance required for the next stage of the ambitious redevelopment. The approval represents a significant breakthrough for one of Westminster’s largest council-led housing regeneration programmes, which will ultimately transform the former 1930s estate into a modern, mixed-tenure residential neighbourhood. Phase two is the largest of three planned development stages and follows the successful completion of the first phase, as Westminster City Council continues its programme to increase housing supply and address the growing demand for affordable homes across the borough. The wider Ebury Bridge Estate masterplan will deliver 781 new homes, supported by a network of interconnected public squares, a new retail parade and community facilities designed to create a more attractive and accessible neighbourhood. The regeneration aims to establish a high-quality residential environment, combining new housing with improved public spaces and amenities while strengthening connections across the surrounding area. Securing Gateway 2 approval has required months of detailed technical coordination between Westminster City Council, McLaren Construction and the wider project consultancy team. Under the Building Safety Act regulatory framework, Gateway 2 approval is a critical requirement before construction work can commence on higher-risk residential buildings. The process requires developers and contractors to demonstrate that proposed designs and construction arrangements meet the necessary building safety requirements. For the Ebury Bridge development, the complexity of the five-building phase meant that four separate applications were required, each involving detailed design information and supporting documentation. Paul Woodhams, Managing Director for Regeneration at McLaren Construction, highlighted the scale of the achievement. “This is a complex project with five buildings which required four separate building safety applications and approvals,” he said. The milestone provides greater certainty for the construction programme and enables the project team to move forward with the next stage of delivery. Councillor David Harvey, Westminster City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, welcomed the decision and acknowledged the importance of collaboration between the local authority and its construction partner. “Collaboration with our main contractor McLaren has been key to achieving this milestone and it now gives the team the certainty needed to move ahead,” he said. He added: “I’m excited that this has been achieved and we can continue the momentum in delivering the largest council development in this part of Westminster in over 60 years.” The Ebury Bridge programme forms part of Westminster’s wider commitment to delivering new housing through the regeneration of existing estates, with an emphasis on creating mixed-tenure communities supported by improved local infrastructure. Alongside the residential accommodation, the planned retail and community facilities will play an important role in establishing a more active neighbourhood, while the interconnected public squares will provide additional outdoor space for residents and visitors. For McLaren Construction, securing the approvals represents an important achievement in navigating the increasingly demanding regulatory environment surrounding higher-risk residential developments. With Gateway 2 clearance now secured, the £229 million second phase can progress towards major construction activity, marking another significant step in the transformation of Ebury Bridge into a new residential neighbourhood for Westminster. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals