McLaren Construction Midlands and North is proud to announce the successful completion of the UK’s largest cold store facility, developed for Magnavale Ltd, one of the country’s leading temperature controlled warehouse and value added service providers.

The fully automated facility stands at 47 metres tall with a capacity for 101,000 pallets and represents a significant milestone in logistics and sustainable storage solutions.

Located near Grantham, the purpose-built, rack-clad automated cold store has been designed to support Magnavale’s goal of creating Europe’s most efficient cold storage facility, operating at a standard temperature of -20⁰C. The 474,283 sq. ft. development can function at temperatures as low as -28°C and is powered entirely by renewable energy, reinforcing Magnavale’s commitment to sustainability.

The facility features a five-storey office space, extensive external yards, an HGV marshalling area, and a large staff car park. Additionally, cutting-edge refrigeration plant ensures that the storage chamber maintains optimal conditions for frozen food products from leading retailers.

The construction of the project presented a range of unique challenges. The facility was delivered while maintaining 24/7 access to the adjacent McCain food production facility, alongside another existing cold storage unit and water treatment processing works, while ensuring minimal disruption to operations and a water treatment facility. Extensive demolition and controlled waste removal was required to clear the site, which was previously home to an iron ore drift mine. The project team also had to divert and relay multiple services and utilities across the site.

An external gantry system was used to accommodate certain services instead of traditional underground installations due to space constraints. The construction incorporated a contractor-designed steel fibre slab, eliminating the need for more than 20 steel fixers on-site, while an on-site gas generator was refurbished to provide 1.45MW of power. Due to the size of concrete pours, an on-site concrete batching plant was incorporated into the build, to eliminate issues with delivery delays.

UKREiiF, the UK’s leading real estate investment and infrastructure forum, is in discussions to relocate from Leeds to Liverpool. Organisers have entered exclusive negotiations with Liverpool city officials, raising concerns about Leeds’ ability to retain the high-profile event beyond 2025.

Since its launch, the event, which brought 13,000 visitors and generated nearly £21 million for the local economy in 2024, has been held in Leeds. However, venue capacity, hotel availability, and rising accommodation costs have led organisers to reassess its long-term location. Some hotels in Leeds have been charging up to £1,000 per night during UKREiiF, making it less attractive for delegates and other event planners.

Liverpool is a strong contender with approximately 10,000 hotel rooms and an established events infrastructure. Other shortlisted cities included Manchester and Birmingham. Leeds had been given a one-year extension as the host city but now faces uncertainty. UKREiiF confirms it has signed a non-disclosure agreement with an undisclosed city for further discussions.

An ARUP report found that UKREiiF has driven repeat business to Leeds, with a third of attendees visiting more frequently outside the event. Despite this, concerns over logistics and infrastructure remain. If the move goes ahead, it would be a blow to Leeds’ position as a business hub while boosting Liverpool’s profile in the property investment sector.

The 2025 event is scheduled to take place in Leeds from 20-22 May, but the location for 2026 and beyond remains undecided.

The chairman of the York Handmade Brick Company, David Armitage, has returned to his old school to secure one of the most prestigious contracts in the company’s 37-year history. The independent brick manufacturer, based at Alne, near Easingwold, is providing 350,000 bricks for two new boarding houses for girls at Winchester College in Hampshire. David shared: “When I was a teenage schoolboy at Winchester College in 1955, I had little idea that I would ever become a brickmaker, despite the fact that my family had all been in the trade for four generations. In time, I became the fifth. “I am sure no-one had any idea then that the all-boys Winchester College would one day admit girls. However, the scene moves on 70 years and two new boarding houses for sixth-form girls are opening in September next year. And, to my pride and delight, we are providing the bricks for this historic development. “It is obviously a great honour for me personally to be supplying bricks to the college and even more so because I made the original contact with architects Stanton Williams to secure the contract. The college wanted a very special brick for a very special building and we were very pleased to be able to fit that bill and help to create this splendid structure.” David added: “This has been a magnificent way to reconnect with my old school. It has brought back many happy memories of a formative part of my life.” The value of this contract is £540,000. The main contractors are Gilbert Ash. The project began several years ago when Winchester College decided to welcome girls into the Sixth Form as boarders. The college hopes that the two new boarding houses, and the introduction of girls will increase its involvement with, and contribution to, the city of Winchester.

The Chuckling Cheese Company will permanently close its Middlesbrough and Doncaster stores on 12 April 2025, citing declining footfall and rising operational costs.

The Middlesbrough store, located in the Cleveland Centre, and the Doncaster branch are part of a wider restructuring effort by the artisan cheese retailer. The company will continue to operate through its online store, other retail locations, and events.

The closures reflect broader challenges for high street businesses, as shifting consumer habits and increasing costs impact physical retail.