The latest phase of Nottingham’s Island Quarter has moved a step closer to completion as the final structural beam of its student accommodation scheme was put in place. The moment was marked with a topping out ceremony for the ongoing phase, which will be home to nearly 700 students from next autumn. The block is currently under construction by Bowmer + Kirkland, and once completed will be managed by Fresh, a leading student accommodation provider. The student accommodation forms the second phase of the 36-acre development, with the initial phase – restaurant and entertainment venue 1 The Island Quarter – opening its doors in September 2022. The Conygar Investment Company – the developer behind the scheme – has also recently received planning permission for nearly 250,000 sq ft of bioscience and laboratory space which will be situated next to the student accommodation, and will also be looking to start work on its flagship 17-storey IHG hotel later this year. Christopher Ware, property director at Conygar, said: “Alongside the recently updated masterplan and the planning consent for our bioscience facility, this topping out is another key landmark in what has already been a pivotal year for The Island Quarter. “From the very outset, we wanted The Island Quarter to be an exemplar of intergenerational living, and this high-quality student accommodation will not only help us reach those ambitions, but also strengthen the offer that Nottingham has for students, ensuring we get the highest calibre of students in our city and attending our universities.” Designed by DAY Architectural, the student accommodation will offer a range of room types including studio flats and cluster living, and also features a high-level sky lounge, private courtyard, socialising and studying space. Christian Parnell, Bowmer + Kirkland regional director, said: “We are delighted to be a part of this significant milestone for the project. The topping out ceremony marks the one year anniversary that B + K started work on this site. Everyone – Conygar, consultants, and ourselves – have worked well together, and collaboratively, to get where we are today. We are now focused on delivering the project for next year’s student intake.” Craig Bryant, strategy and business development director at Fresh, said: “The topping out today is a hugely significant milestone as we move a step closer to welcoming our first cohort of students to their new home in 2024. “Fresh has been involved throughout the development, providing advisory services to ensure our unique insight has been designed into the scheme from the beginning to deliver what students want and to exceed our client’s expectations. “The Island Quarter is set to be a very exciting development in this great university city, and we can’t wait to add 693 beds to our existing presence in Nottingham.”

Derby’s new £45.8m performance venue has reached a new milestone, with Derbyshire-based construction group Bowmer + Kirkland awarded the building contract – and construction work now underway. St James Securities has also released a new and enhanced CGI showing what the performance venue will look like once complete. The new 3,500 capacity entertainment and events venue forms phase two of the £200m Becketwell regeneration scheme, which is the most significant urban regeneration scheme in the city for more than 30 years. The new performance venue will be built on the site of the former Pennine Hotel, Laurie House offices, multi-storey car park and Pink Coconut nightclub in Colyear Street and Padley House in Becket Street. It will be owned by Derby City Council and leased to and operated by ASM Global, the venue management and services company, and producer of live experiences. Bowmer + Kirkland took over the site on 5 June 2023 and practical completion is scheduled for January 2025, just a couple of weeks later than was originally planned when contracts were signed in March 2022. Bowmer + Kirkland is one of the UK’s largest and most successful privately owned construction and development groups. Over the past five years, the company has secured projects with a value of almost £3 billion. Its construction teams offer private and public sector clients a national service delivered locally through its specialist regional teams. In February 2022, Peveril Securities, the development arm of the Bowmer + Kirkland Group, were appointed funding and development partners for future phases of the Becketwell scheme. ASM Global’s UK portfolio includes OVO Arena Wembley, AO Arena (Manchester), Utilita Arena (Newcastle), Bonus Arena (Hull), first direct Arena (Leeds), Olympia London and OVO Hydro (Glasgow). The venue is expected to significantly add to Derby’s cultural offering. It will offer a larger, more flexible space than the city centre has had in the past and will collaborate with and complement the activities of Derby Arena to provide the best possible events programme for Derby and the wider region. It will be a scalable space capable of staging a range of concerts, stand-up comedy, family shows, musical theatre, exhibitions, and business events. The venue is set to host over 200 cultural and commercial events each year and attract an additional 250,000 visitors to Derby. It is also expected to create over 200 new local jobs, it will generate more than £10m GVA per year for the area, diversify the economy and increase levels of investment in surrounding areas of the city centre. Demolition work for the performance venue began in May 2022 with work starting on site this week. Completion and handover to ASM Global will take place in January 2025. Phase one of the Becketwell development, which comprises 259 one and two-bedroom Build To Rent (BTR) apartments, is nearing completion alongside Springwell Square which will serve as a multi-purpose space within the development. Paul Morris, director of St James Securities, said: “We are delighted to have concluded this agreement with Bowmer + Kirkland, a local company with a nationwide track record of working on award-winning projects for an extensive portfolio of developers, public sector clients and blue-chip companies across a broad range of sectors. “In a very difficult inflationary climate where materials and labour costs have increased substantially, St James Securities has worked extremely hard with B+K through the design development and tendering stage to ensure the project would be delivered well within the fixed price contract with Derby City Council. “I won’t pretend it’s been an easy process to get to this stage; however, I am very proud of the entire professional team involved in this project who have worked tirelessly to ensure that we’ve worked around the many challenges we faced along the way. “There have been a few naysayers who have sought to publicly criticise us and suggest we would either throw the towel in or return to the Council seeking more money. “This is simply not how we operate and once we agree a price, as we did with Derby City Council, then we stand by it. We have a wealth of experience in delivering complex, award-winning regeneration schemes and having the financial backing of Peveril Securities has further strengthened our ability to take on these challenges and win. “The skill set of a dedicated and experienced team, such as the one we have pulled together for the performance venue, allows us to work in a way that central government or local authorities are not able. This is a great example of how the private and public sectors can work in partnership to deliver complex schemes at a fixed price with the private sector absorbing all the development and construction risks which in this project have been substantial.” Councillor Baggy Shanker, leader of Derby City Council, said: “This is an important step forward in finally delivering the new venue Derby needs, which will deliver real, tangible benefits for businesses, residents and visitors. “Creating a city centre for all is one of our priorities and this new and flexible space is a key part of bringing vibrancy and pride back to our city centre.” Christian Parnell, Bowmer + Kirkland regional director, added: “We are absolutely delighted to have been appointed to build Derby’s exciting new entertainment and events venue. 2023 marks Bowmer + Kirkland’s first 100 years and it is fitting that we are beginning work on a major scheme which will bring life back to a once vibrant and prominent area of the city. “We are looking forward to working with St James Securities, Derby City Council and ASM Global to deliver this landmark venue for the people of Derby and Derbyshire.” Ralph Jones, Managing Director of Peveril Securities, said: “We are pleased to be investing in the future of our home city of Derby and look forward to supporting St James Securities to deliver the landmark Arena and future phases of the Becketwell regeneration. “Future planned phases of the scheme include the potential for a range of other complementary uses of the site including a hotel, further residential accommodation, a multi-storey car park and purpose-built student residential.” Maria Bertelli, strategic business development director, Europe at ASM Global, added: “The appointment of Bowmer + Kirkland marks the latest milestone in the delivery of the Becketwell Performance Venue. It’s a significant moment for this exciting project and brings us a huge step closer to the opening date of the entertainment and events venue. “Particularly amidst current challenges faced by the entire construction industry, it is incredibly promising to be moving ahead at pace – so we extend our congratulations to the Council and the SJS team. ASM Global is proud to be a part of this project, and to support continued growth of the Midlands economy and cultural landscape.”

GLP is set to speculatively develop 1.4 million sq ft across four units at logistics park Magna Park Lutterworth (MPL). GLP has received detailed planning permission for four new warehouses, three in Magna Park South, MPS Unit 9 (388,000 sq ft), MPS Unit 10 (119,000 sq ft) and MPS Unit 11 (136,000 sq ft), and one building in Magna Park North, MPN 5, measuring 761,000 sq ft. All units are due for practical completion by the end of Spring 2024. MPN 5 will be a Breeam Outstanding building with all three other developments planned to achieve Breeam Excellent. Each unit will be net-zero in construction and independently certified by the Planet Mark. GLP will also be supporting customers to reduce energy and operational costs, by providing a complimentary Planet Mark program to help monitor, track and reduce their respective carbon footprint. The buildings will be designed to WELL principles with the occupiers in mind, with GLP aiming to provide a more productive and pleasant working environment for employees. In addition, GLP are currently building a 200-acre Country Park enhancing the park’s facilities and providing recreation areas for both customers and the wider community. Last year, GLP also partnered with North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, and Wincanton to house The Centre for Logistics, Education and Research (CLEAR) – a unique research, innovation, education, and training facility for both customers on the park and the wider logistics industry. Magna Park Lutterworth now has only one building available to lease, MPS 5 (187, 253 sq ft), with a further two build to suit plots available for development, MPN 7 (411,000 sq ft) and MPN 6 (840,000 sq ft). In the last two phases of spec development, the park has welcomed customers such as Bleckmann, Iron Mountain, LX Pantos and Unipart. Magna Park Lutterworth now consists of 47 buildings and is over 13m sq ft. Joe Garwood, senior development director at GLP, says: “We are extremely pleased to announce such a significant level of speculative build across our flagship UK logistics park. This is a testament to our confidence in the resilience of the UK logistics market and the strategic importance of the Midlands in particular. “We have seen huge success with our speculative development programme at Lutterworth to date, attracting a wide range of top-tier customers, and we’re confident that we will see strong demand for this new space. Once finalised and occupied, the four units will generate hundreds of employment opportunities and contribute towards the economic growth and commercial upskilling of the Midlands region.”

Mather Jamie’s Sam Tyler and Tim Jones have passed their Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and are now professionally qualified Chartered Surveyors. Sam Tyler joined the development team in January 2021 after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with a degree in Real Estate. He has assisted on a range of land deals and grown his knowledge of advising landowners on consented land and strategic development land. Now that he is fully qualified, he will continue assisting directors on their deals whilst also advising landowners how to unlock land with development potential and the sale of consented land for development. Tim joined the rural team at Mather Jamie in February 2019 after completing a Master’s degree in Rural Estate and Land Management at Harper Adams University. He is currently involved in the management of three large estates and over 61 properties. One estate has recently made a number of acquisitions and now qualified he will be managing more of this portfolio and overseeing the refurbishment of properties and further development opportunities. Mather Jamie director Gary Kirk said: “We are extremely proud of Sam and Tim who have seen their hard work pay off with their qualification as Chartered Surveyors. Sam and Tim’s chartership will enable them to undertake a wider variety of work which ultimately enhances the service which Mather Jamie is able to deliver to its clients. “Mather Jamie is able to boast an excellent track record in supporting candidates through the APC process and we believe that investing in young and developing surveyors is key to the longevity of our business.” The APC is a formal assessment, following a two-year on-the-job training period, to ensure surveyors have the professional competence required to achieve chartership. The final assessment includes a written submission, a case study and an intensive interview.

The developer of a building in Job’s Yard, Kettering will have to demolish the top two storeys and rectify the other issues with the site, following a trial at Birmingham High Court at the end of May. The case was brought by North Northamptonshire Council following serious concerns about the building work taking place and a lack of adherence by the developer to building regulations. The result from the court case shows that the council were justified in their approach and are warning they will take other, similar matters to court, if necessary. After two days, the judge adjourned the trial and approved an order from the court compelling the developer to arrange for a specialist contractor to demolish the top two storeys and appoint experts to work with NNC’s Building Control team to identify all issues with the building that need to be resolved for the building to be considered safe. A strict timeline has been put in place for the developer to action, and if this is not met, NNC will reapply to the court for the total demolition of the building. The planning permission for the site allows for a four-storey building following an appeal decision, not a six-storey building which has been built on the site and was deemed unsafe by NNC Officers. Due to the current unsafe nature of the building, a cordon has been in place since June 2022 and once the building has been reduced to four storeys, NNC will be able to review the current size of cordon. Cllr David Brackenbury, the council’s Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration, said: “We have been trying to work with the developer of this site for some time now and going to court was always a last resort. “This is a positive step forward and we are hopeful the developer will follow the orders set out by the court. Following the removal of the top storeys, we will soon be able to look at the safety of the area and reducing the cordon in place at the earliest opportunity, which will benefit residents of Kettering and businesses around the site.” Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council, said: “Our officers work tirelessly across North Northants tackling issues that are important to residents. As this case shows, we take enforcement cases seriously and will send cases to the court, if necessary, to protect residents and prevent non-compliant building works.”

Design, refurbishment, and fit-out specialists DSP (Interiors) Ltd have been appointed by AMS Hayley Derby to carry out the design and fit-out of their new 16,000 sq ft premises at Dunstall Park in Derby. The company, which is part of Hayley Group, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of engineering components and consumables, is currently based on Riverside Industrial Park, off Raynesway, where its trade counter stocks a range of components and consumables including bearings, seals, power transmission, drives, lubricants, PPE and tools. The company is now expanding its operation, with the addition of a new building on Dunstall Park in the city. The team at DSP Interiors have been appointed principal designer and principal contractor on the project, which will involve transforming an empty building shell into a large bespoke office and warehouse facility to accommodate the company’s continued expansion. The turnkey project begins with the installation of office and storage mezzanine floors including 60 minute fire rated compartmentation, suspended ceilings, joinery, dry-lining and glazed and solid partitions. The office fit out includes toilets and amenities incorporating a large agile breakout zone to promote collaboration and provide an array of spaces for staff to work. The offices will feature graphic walls, carpets and luxury vinyl plank flooring as well as tiling to toilet amenities. DSP (Interiors) Ltd will be undertaking all works including furniture and seating, complete building mechanical and electrical systems including air-conditioning and energy recovery ventilation systems. An L2 fire alarm system and emergency lighting is being installed as well as intruder alarm inclusive of internal and external camera systems. DSP Interiors, which is based at the Parker Industrial Estate on Mansfield Road in Derby, are finalising designs, with the fit-out set to start in the next couple of weeks. The new facility at Dunstall Park will enable AMS Hayley Derby to streamline its operations, optimise storage and improve overall efficiency. Commenting on being awarded the contract by AMS Hayley Derby, Andy Priestley, director of DSP (Interiors) Ltd Derby, said: “We are delighted to have been selected by AMS Hayley to carry out the design and fit-out on their new building. “Our team of experts are looking forward to collaborating with the team at AMS Hayley to create a bespoke office and warehouse facility that not only reflects their brand identity but also provides a functional and inspiring work environment for their staff. “As principal designer and principal contractor for the project, there is a real buzz in the office as our team gears up to transform the newly completed building shell into a large bespoke office and warehouse facility. It’s definitely one to watch.” Simon Lister, director of AMS Ltd, added: “We are delighted to be working with Andy and his team at DSP Interiors on this exciting project to take our new building from a shell to a large bespoke office and warehouse facility. “The company has an impressive track record of delivering high-quality interior design and fit out solutions across a number of industrial and commercial sectors and we can’t wait to get started.”

Nottingham property developer ALB Group has landed a major coup by negotiating terms for homewares chain Wilko to retain its flagship store at an out-of-town Peterborough shopping centre.

Wilko’s lease at Ortongate Shopping Centre, in Orton Goldhay, was due to expire in September this year.

It was feared that the national retailer was poised to vacate its 23,436 sq ft unit after seeing the centre increasingly struggle for trade and other tenants over the past few years.

But ALB Group recently stepped in to purchase the majority of the shopping centre site, with an aim to revitalise it by offering cheaper and more flexible rent structures to tenants, as well as spending around £1m refurbishing some of the vacant units.

Now, property agent Prime Retail has completed negotiations with Wilko on behalf of ALB, persuading the high street giant to sign a new five-year lease at the centre.

Joe Bryan, senior surveyor for Prime Retail, said: “This is fantastic news for Ortongate and shows just how much of a positive effect ALB has had on the general outlook at the shopping centre.

“Wilko currently occupies the second largest unit on site, so this is a major coup for everyone, and a huge relief I’m sure to many shoppers.

“Having pre-empted a situation which could have left a very large hole in the centre’s fortunes, we clearly offered them a good enough deal to stay.”

Joe said that, since ALB announced it was taking over at Ortongate, the shopping centre seemed to be gaining a new lease of life, with a number of businesses showing an interest in leasing vacant units.

Potential new businesses currently in negotiation with the joint agents Prime Retail and FHP Property Consultants include an Indian restaurant, pet store and an arts, crafts and garden store.

All have been attracted by ALB Group’s growing reputation for kickstarting the fortunes of depressed high streets and retail centres in other parts of the UK.

Areas like Bridlesmith Gate in Nottingham, Albion Street in Derby and Sailmakers Shopping Centre in Ipswich have all benefitted from ALB’s promise of better tenancy terms for traders.

While a wide mix of both large national chains and small independent traders is the goal, ALB has been especially keen to make tenancy agreements affordable and flexible enough to attract more local and niche entrepreneurs.

Arran Bailey, founder and Managing Director of ALB, said: “Our approach is quite simple: high streets and retail centres have been facing challenges for years, from online shopping to the effects of Covid, so it could not be a case of ‘business as usual’.

“Many landlords have not woken up to the fact that a fresh approach was needed. But we have seen a hugely positive reaction to our more flexible leasing model.

“The fact that Wilko has reconsidered its position and signed a new five-year lease illustrates just how serious we are at breathing new life into our centres. We expect to be able to share many more positive stories from Ortongate in the very near future.”

Ortongate Shopping Centre was placed on the market earlier this year following a long struggle to fill vacant shop units.

Built 15 years ago, the shopping centre serves a local population of around 30,000 residents as well as many more from surrounding areas who take advantage of the good transport links and free parking spaces.