Rinnai Transforms Coventry City FC’s Training Ground with Instant, Efficient, scale protected hot water system

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Rinnai’s N series range of continuous flow water heaters have been installed by Midlands-based Aquagas at the newly refurbished training ground of Coventry City FC.

The new installation consists of five Rinnai N 1600i capable of delivering nearly 5000 litres per hour of temperature accurate hot water flexible flue configuration; cascade frame to streamline installation; Nexus by Aquabion water treatment to ensure lifetime system efficiency & all supported by market leading warranties.

This innovative system was designed to replace a floor standing 2000L stored heated water configuration. As the inherent nature of the Rinnai instant water heaters is to modulate the gaseous fuel input relative to the system demand Coventry City F can expect significant energy savings from this upgrade.

Ollie Quiney commented for Aquagas,

‘the site is undergoing a rolling series of works to improve all facilities – including the provision of plentiful amounts of hot water for laundry, showers, personal hygiene and all other usual uses.

‘The installation is an integral part of a massive investment scheme to upgrade the sky blues Ryton training ground, where the championship club has trained since the early 1960s.

‘Our firm has almost 20 years’ experience of installing and servicing both residential and commercial gas fired heating & hot water systems. We take pride in our work with customer satisfaction being the no1aim.’

 

Speaking on behalf of Rinnai client support specialist Justin Allen commented

“working with Aquagas is always a pleasure and we are confident that not only will the Rinnai system provide copious amounts of hot water for the varied ablutions – it will also result in significant cost savings for Coventry City FC”

 

The Rinnai N series is one of the best-selling products of its kind with millions of installations globally. Rinnai’s N series is designed to ensure reliable hot water delivery for commercial applications that require limitless loads of hot water, like Coventry City FC.

Rinnai support product excellence with design support such as capital, operational expenditure and carbon modelling to ensure that cost and carbon savings can be realised. Coventry City is another high-profile sports facility that has adopted Rinnai technology to improve performance and lower costs.

In addition to the reliable hot water and energy savings, football clubs and sports facilities integrating Rinnai can benefit from a range of practical advantages tailored to the demands of modern high-performance facilities.

Rinnai’s advanced continuous flow water heaters deliver rapid recovery, ensuring that players, staff and visitors always have access to hot water, even during peak usage periods such as back-to-back training sessions.

The modular design of the Rinnai specification allows for scalability and optimisation with minimal disruption. Furthermore, the robust construction and market leading warranties guarantee long last performance.

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  • Rinnai’s range of decarbonising products – H1/H2/H3 – consists of hot water heating units in gas/BioLPG/DME, hydrogen ready units, electric instantaneous hot water heaters, electric storage cylinders and buffer vessels, a comprehensive range of heat pumps, solar, hydrogen-ready or natural gas in any configuration of hybrid formats for either residential or commercial applications. Rinnai’s H1/2/3 range of products and systems offer contractors, consultants, and end users a range of efficient, robust, and affordable low carbon/decarbonising appliances which create practical, economic, and technically feasible solutions.
  • Rinnai is a world leading manufacturer of hot water heaters and produces over two million units a year, operating on each of the five continents. The brand has gained an established reputation for producing products that offer high performance, cost efficiency and extended working lives.
  • Rinnai products are UKCA certified, A-rated water efficiency, accessed through multiple fuel options and are available for purchase 24/7, 365 days a year. Any unit can be delivered to any UK site within 24 hours.
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Rachel Reeves braces for major economy update

 

Rachel Reeves braces for major economy update from ‘hamstrung’ housebuilders amid property crisis

 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is bracing for three major housebuilding firms to publish their latest financial results this week as the Labour Government attempts to address the property crisis.

Labour ministers have pledged to deregulate and embolden property firms in an effort to revitalise the housing market, with younger generations having been priced out of owning their own home for nearly two decades.

Mr Reeves will soon find out how the Government has been performing in these efforts as three of Britain’s largest housebuilders prepare to release trading updates in the coming days, providing crucial insight into the state of the UK property market.

Persimmon will deliver its full-year trading statement on January 13, followed by Vistry’s fourth quarter figures the following day, and Taylor Wimpey’s update on Thursday (January 15).

Investors are equally keen to identify any indications of market recovery and assess how the Chancellor’s latest Budget statement has affected the sector as the country moves into 2026.

Over the past 12 months, the construction industry has experienced an extended period of declining activity, with housebuilding enduring its most severe downturn since the pandemic began.

The S&P Global UK construction purchasing managers’ index edged up marginally to 40.1 in December from 39.4 the previous month, though this remains significantly below the 50-point threshold that indicates growth.

Those surveyed pointed to fragile confidence, subdued demand, and clients postponing decisions in the lead-up to the autumn Budget as key factors behind the weakness.

Richard Hunter, the head of markets at interactive investor, said Persimmon “has been hamstrung by the wider factors over which it has little influence, including but not limited to a faltering domestic economy”.

Despite these headwinds, economic analysts note that Persimmon may have some protection against current market difficulties compared to the other UK homebuilders.

Aarin Chiekrie, an equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, noted that the company’s properties are typically priced around 15 per cent below the national average for new builds, which “offers some resilience to ride current market challenges” and should ease pressure from construction costs.

Vistry, the company previously known as Bovis Homes, has found success through Government backing for affordable housing. According to Hargreaves Lansdown, the firm saw its average weekly sales rates climb by 11 per cent between July and early November compared with the same period last year.

Despite these concerns, recent property purchase figures from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) offer some grounds for optimism for the Chancellor and the wider Labour Government.

Data released earlier this week showed approximately 100,350 homes were sold in November, representing an eight per cent increase compared with the same month last year.

Jason Tebb, president of OnTheMarket, said:

“With the Buget done and dusted, uncertainty at least has been removed and those who put their moves on pause are returning to the market.

“[This] is encouraged by lower mortgage rates from some of the big lenders, with others expected to follow. As January progresses, well-priced homes continue to attract interest.”

Nathan Emerson, the CEO at Propertymark, added:

“An increase in seasonally adjusted property sales towards the end of the year is an encouraging sign for the housing market and suggests that buyer confidence has begun to return.

“With inflation and interest rates easing in the run-up to Christmas, many buyers who had been sitting on the sidelines appear to have felt more comfortable proceeding with their purchase.

“This is particularly positive for first-time buyers and home movers who have been waiting for greater stability in borrowing costs. While 2025 presented several challenges, including stamp duty changes in England and Northern Ireland, mortgage rate fluctuations, and uncertainty ahead of the Autumn Budget, today’s data indicates that the market has started to adapt.

“As we move into 2026, improving affordability and clearer economic conditions should help sustain momentum, provided house prices remain steady, and lending conditions continue to ease.”

 

Source: GB News

 

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Construction Company collapses with £25m in debts

 

Northeast construction firm Merit collapsed with debts of £25m, documents show

Around 300 jobs were lost after Merit Holdings and Merit Health went into administration towards the end of 2025

Northeast construction firm Merit collapsed with a total deficiency of £25.7m, new documents show. Around 300 jobs were lost after Merit Holdings and Merit Health went into administration towards the end of last year, having worked on major healthcare and projects in the life science, education, battery technology, and aerospace industries all over the UK.

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The failure of the former Northeast Company of the Year, a leading UK modular building company, followed cash flow issues and a squeeze on its finances after a winding up petition was served by HMRC, and amid a failed bid to seal an agreement with a key client over a contract.

Specialists at Interpath had been seeking a solution for Merit’s customers, employees and creditors before joint administrators were finally appointed in November to Merit’s companies – Merit Group Services Limited, Merit Health Limited and Merit Holdings Limited. All works had by then ceased on projects they were involved in, including the Berwick Community Hospital and Seaton Delaval’s Medicines Manufacturing Centre.

Fresh documents filed by the administrators now show that “a substantial” disposal of certain assets was made to Merit Industrialised Construction Limited, a connected party to the group, a month after the administration, on December 19. The newly formed company has four directors including Merit chair Kirsty Wells, the ultimate beneficial owner of the purchaser, and its major shareholder is London-based Modulex Modular Buildings Plc. The business was bought for initial consideration of £396,000 plus VAT, and deferred consideration of at least £500,000.

The report also says that Merit’s original founder, Tony Wells, will become a director and shareholder of Merit Industrialised Construction Limited, which has initial equity investment of around £900,000 from shareholders.

Group assets bought as part of the £896,000 deal include the customer contracts, the customer works in progress with some exclusions, the shares, the intellectual property and the goodwill, the stock with some exclusions; plant and equipment; and equity in any leased plant and equipment. It also includes a licence to occupy at Silverton Court and at Factory 2, and an option to buy the factory when the licence expires for £6.86m.

Meanwhile, the 74-page document lists 11 pages of creditors, including supply chain firms all over the UK. Merit Holdings has an estimated total deficiency of £25.7m, including £16.8m owed to unsecured creditors.

Unsecured creditors’ claims add up to an estimated £17.4m, and administrators it is “unlikely” they will get any of their money back.

 

Source: Chronicle Live

 

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BESA, Membership Must Stand for Something

David Frise: “We have never been afraid to suspend members who don’t meet our standards”

 

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has suspended five member companies for failing to comply with its independent audit process.

The Association’s council, whose members are responsible for BESA’s governance and ensuring that it continues to meet the vision and values of its founders, said it was taking this step as part of its ongoing campaign to improve technical and professional standards across the building engineering sector.

These latest suspensions follow the suspension of 14 other firms in June last year.

The five unnamed companies are said to have failed to reach the standard required to meet BESA’s Competence Assessment Standard (CAS).

The specifics of the individual suspensions are not revealed, but the association’s CAS covers business practices, financial solvency, insurance, health and safety, and technical proficiency.

BESA says that the process is also aligned with the industry benchmark provided by the Build UK Common Assessment Standard and supports the UK government’s ambition to improve construction standards and protect building users under the Building Safety Act.

“BESA has never been afraid to robustly defend its remit and constitution,” claimed CEO David Frise. “We do not suspend members lightly but take our wider responsibilities to the industry and its ultimate clients – building occupants – extremely seriously.

“It might seem counterintuitive for a membership body to suspend or reject companies, but membership needs to stand for something. We would always favour quality over quantity, and we now have more companies waiting to join – so sticking to our principles is working.”

The Association said its current pass rate for the CAS audit, ie those companies achieving zero non-compliance at audit, was 62%. It said this demonstrated the system was “robust” and that several companies still had work to do to ensure they could meet their legal and ethical responsibilities.

BESA also recently launched a member pledge initiative when several of its largest and most prominent members signed an agreement to put professional and technical competence at the heart of their operations and mandate their supply chains to do the same.

The audit is carried out by BESCA, a UKAS accredited independent part of the BESA group. It investigates whether prospective and existing members have all the skills necessary to deliver quality, safe work. It includes an on-site technical audit based on check lists linked to latest technical standards so clients, main contractors and the public can have confidence when appointing a BESA member firm.

“We have never been afraid to suspend members who don’t meet our standards,” said Frise. “It is always a last resort as we would much rather work with companies to help them improve, but when it is clear that is not possible, we have demonstrated that we will take the ultimate sanction.”

 

Source: The Cooling Post

 

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Storm Goretti Driving up Energy Demand

A frigid surge of snow, sleet and hail has caused temperatures in the UK to drop to as low as -12.5C this week, significantly raising the demand for electricity and straining interconnector relations with neighbouring countries.

With Storm Goretti expected to deliver substantial snowfall on Thursday, analysts caution that high demand and elevated prices may continue to impact Brits through mid-January, impacting Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark as a knock-on effect.

Jake Thompson, a market analyst at Montel Analytics, a renewable energy researcher, stated:

 

“National electricity demand surged during peak hours as temperatures plunged earlier this week.

“Morning peak demand reached 44GW on Tuesday, with forecasts suggesting demand could rise to around 46GW during the evening peak. On Monday, Britain recorded its highest demand since March 2018 at 47.3GW.

“As a result, 23pc of demand was met by renewables on Monday, the day of the demand peak, leaving the system heavily reliant on the conventional gas-fired generation fleet during peak periods.

“To alleviate pressure on domestic generators, NESO, the GB system operator, intervened in interconnector markets.

“Ahead of the day-ahead auction, Nemo Link, BritNed and Viking Link were scheduled to export power from 5am through to the evening peak.

“However, NESO reduced these flows by purchasing volumes via competitive auctions, paying prices of up to £1,040 per MWh. The highest prices were recorded around 1pm and were more than ten times the weighted day-ahead price for the same hour.”

The choice to repurchase exports had significant repercussions in surrounding markets, especially in the Netherlands, according to Montel.

Harsh winter conditions lowered renewable energy production throughout the area, necessitating the use of fossil fuel generation to satisfy most of the demand.

Dutch producers were already sending electricity to Germany and Belgium, with additional supplies going to France, while depending on imports from Denmark and the UK.

On Monday, when Britain cut back on exports, Dutch imbalance prices skyrocketed to more than €4,000/MWh.

Jake added: “The cold snap could last until at least January 11, maintaining elevated demand levels.

“High prices are expected to persist due to the system’s reliance on gas-fired generation, especially during periods of low wind.

“Forecasts indicate wind output could fall to as little as 2GW on January 8, further limiting renewable supply and increasing upward pressure on wholesale prices.”

Source: TGS

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The Power of Mentoring in Construction

FMB highlights power of mentoring to strengthen construction’s future

As the construction industry marks National Mentoring Month this January, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is calling on building firms to step up their mentoring efforts to help tackle the sector’s deepening skills crisis.

With the UK construction industry requiring an estimated 47,860 additional workers per year through to 2029, and 35% of the current workforce over the age of 50 and approaching retirement, the need to attract, train and retain the next generation of skilled tradespeople has never been more urgent.

SME construction firms train approximately three-quarters of all construction apprentices, demonstrating the sector’s proud tradition of developing the workforce. However, with 61% of building firms reporting that their work has been affected by skills shortages, expanding mentoring programmes has become essential to the industry’s future.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said:

‘Mentoring has always been at the heart of how our industry passes on skills and values. The best builders I know learned from someone who invested their time to support and develop them. As we face an ongoing skills shortage, creating opportunities for experienced tradespeople to mentor others isn’t just good for individual building companies, it’s essential for the future of construction.Through mentoring, builders not only give back but also strengthen their own businesses by developing leadership and communication skills, building trusted networks and supporting the next generation.’

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Who cut the power in Berlin?

A left-wing activist group responsible for power cuts in the German capital has cited data centers in a statement explaining its actions.  However no data centers were compromised and conflicting statements cause doubt on the actual culprits.

Vulkangruppe, or the Volcano Group, has claimed responsibility for the sabotage of a power plant on Saturday, which cut electricity to properties in south-west Berlin. Power supply was not restored until Wednesday.

A statement attributed to the group was posted to Indymedia on January 4, stating that the attack was an “act of self-defence and international solidarity with all those who protect the Earth and life.”

The statement mentioned that data centers and AI were driving an “insatiable” hunger for energy that was “devouring the Earth’s crust and our lives.”

“We feed our data to the so-called ‘clouds,’ which are nothing more than gigantic, energy-guzzling data centers and server farms. These also consume our drinking water and churn out numbers that bombard our screens with useless, supposedly important spam until we’ve forgotten how to look our neighbor in the eye.”

But a separate statement also attributed to Vulkangruppe was posted to Indymedia on January 7, alleging that the power plant attack was conducted by a separate group operating under the Vulkangruppe name.

“We expressly distance ourselves from all actions of recent years that were carried out under our name or in reference to us,” reads the statement.

Either way, there seems to have been no major reports of data center interruptions. German data center operator NorthC said that it had been unaffected.

Germany saw an influx of large-scale data center projects in 2025. In November, Lidl owner Schwarz Group broke ground on a 200MW facility in Lübbenau, and in December, major telco Deutsche Telekom and Schwarz Group were reportedly in talks to apply for the European Union’s €20 billion ($23.2bn) AI gigafactories fund.

Hyperscalers like Google, Microsoft and AWS have also made investment pledges in the country.

Source: DCD

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Development includes a motoring themed play area

Huge Coventry housing scheme will have new children’s play area with nod to motor industry

Development could include a motoring themed play area next to former Daimler factory

Children living in new homes planned in the shadow of Coventry ’s former Daimler factory will be able to play on equipment built on a motoring theme if planners give the scheme the nod. The development on a brownfield site in Sandy Lane already has outline planning permission for up to 250 homes and officers at Coventry City Council will consider the reserved matters – which covers design, layout and landscaping – early in the new year.

A planning statement drawn up by agents Marrons on behalf of developers Dandara Central explains that the area incorporating the play area, known as the Powerhouse Plaza, will be the focal point for the scheme. It says:

“This public plaza will provide significant space for both formal and informal public gathering and meeting.

“The plaza will be multi-functional and multi-purpose, providing informal spaces for gathering, with trees and planting beds sited alongside informal seating. The plaza will also significantly improve the frontage and context for the appreciation of the Daimler Powerhouse building.”

 

The Daimler building was one of the first car plants in the country. Much of the site was destroyed in the Blitz and was taken over by Coventry Climax to test out forklift trucks. The firm designed the UK’s first forklift truck in 1946. The remaining Powerhouse building is now used as a cultural creation centre, occupied by Imagineers Productions, bringing together the world of arts and engineering.

It is hoped that the proposed landscaping of the new housing development will also ensure that the views between Sandy Lane and the Coventry Canal are opened up and promoted, enhancing the Canal Conservation Area. The planning statement adds: “The proposed LEAP (local equipped area for play) will build upon the site’s motoring and vehicle heritage.

“The built features of the play area will be motoring themed, promoting the sites legacy. A roadway play floor will be set out further encouraging play and movement, whilst linking back to the site’s heritage.”

Links between the site and the canal will be created with the landscape masterplan showing a direct connection for pedestrians and cyclists between both the Powerhouse Plaza and the properties to the canal towpath.

It adds:

“These connections will benefit existing residents in the local area by re-opening a crucial north-south walking and cycling connection north of the city centre. As outlined, all dwellings are provided with private, lockable bicycle storage within private gardens.”

Although Coventry’s local plan calls for each house to have two car park spaces, the development only provides one space but the developers are hopeful that this will be justified by the sustainable location being close to the city centre. There will also be 25 visitor parking spaces alongside two car club parking spaces.

 

Source: Coventry Live

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Why does UK construction fell thousands of mature trees each year

Construction and redevelopment are reshaping towns, cities and industrial estates, but as part of that process, mature and veteran trees in these areas are becoming the real casualties – more often seen as obstacles rather than assets. For most developers the quick answer is to cut them down, ignoring the fact that preserving them is not only possible, but increasingly recognised as a key part of responsible, sustainable planning, writes Robert Wilkins, operations director at Ruskins, the tree and soil specialists.

Planning to retain mature and veteran trees by building around them and leaving space for them to grow should be the first step.  There are many methods to facilitate the retention of mature trees. There is also the option to relocate them, this may seem daunting, but modern techniques make it achievable. With careful root preparation, specialist lifting equipment and post-move aftercare. Trees can be moved safely and thrive in their new locations.

Across the UK and internationally, developers, councils and landscape specialists are showing that construction can proceed without sacrificing the environmental, cultural and social value of such trees.

While precise national statistics on the annual loss of mature or veteran trees in the UK due to construction are limited, several high-profile cases highlight the significant impact that major developments have on established trees. For example, between 1996 and 1998, the construction of the Newbury Bypass in Berkshire led to the clearance of approximately 360 acres of land, including 120 acres of woodland, resulting in the felling of nearly 10,000 mature trees.

More recently, the £1.5 billion A14 bypass project between Cambridge and Huntingdon, completed in 2020, involved the felling of over 500,000 trees. However, subsequent replanting efforts have faced challenges, with up to 90% of the newly planted saplings failing to establish due to poor planning and omitting to provide aftercare.

Why mature trees matter

Mature and veteran trees carry immense ecological, social, and historical value. Ecologically, they provide habitats for birds, insects, and mammals. Their root systems stabilise soil, reduce runoff and even sequester carbon, contributing to climate mitigation efforts. Socially, large trees define streetscapes, create a sense of place, and enhance wellbeing. Communities often associate familiar trees with local memory and identity. From a heritage perspective, some trees may have been planted centuries ago, forming part of estate layouts or marking historic boundaries.

This means that the loss of mature and veteran trees during development is more than a landscaping issue – it is a cultural and ecological one. Replacing a mature oak with young saplings may maintain tree numbers in the long term, but it cannot replicate the immediate shade, structure and habitat that mature and veteran trees provide. Preserving or relocating these specimens allows developments to retain continuity with the past while meeting modern needs.

Construction sites in particular are inherently disruptive. Excavation, heavy machinery and soil compaction all threaten tree health. In many cases, as previously mentioned, developers have removed trees because they are perceived as obstacles, costly to retain, or high-risk for post-development survival. When there are methods to facilitate their retention.

Yet modern arboriculture offers solutions. Moving mature and veteran trees, while technically complex, can protect species that might otherwise be lost. It requires careful planning, skilled execution and long-term aftercare, but when done correctly, trees can thrive in new locations, maintaining ecological function and aesthetic appeal.

The technical challenge

Relocating mature and veteran trees is not a matter of simple lifting and replanting. Success depends on a combination of biological understanding and engineering. Understandably, trees with intact, undamaged roots are more likely to survive. Techniques such as root pruning months in advance help stimulate new root growth and reduce transplant shock. Healthy soil is also essential for stabilising the tree post-move

Large trees often require canopy thinning to reduce sail area, when there is a reduced root system.  Moving mature trees safely requires specialised machinery, careful route planning and sometimes temporary storage solutions to protect them during the transition. Furthermore, trees must be monitored and supported with irrigation, guying and mulching for 7-10 years to ensure successful establishment.

However, the advantages of moving such trees extend beyond aesthetics and heritage. Developers gain immediate kudos and landscape impact, which enhances property values and public perception. Councils and planners can ensure compliance with green space and biodiversity policies. Ecologically, relocated trees also continue to provide habitats, sequester carbon and contribute to urban cooling.

In addition, the act of relocating trees sends a positive message to communities and stakeholders. It shows that development does not have to mean destruction and that heritage and nature can coexist with modernisation.

Preserving trees can also make good financial sense. Mature landscaping increases property appeal and in certain cases, tree preservation contributes to planning approvals, satisfying regulatory requirements and community expectations.

Some councils offer incentives for developers who integrate tree relocation into their projects, recognising the social, environmental, and aesthetic value added to the neighbourhood. When factored in early, the cost of relocation is often offset by these benefits.

Overcoming common misconceptions

It should be said at this stage that there is a common perception that moving large trees is prohibitively expensive or likely to fail. While costs are higher than planting saplings, modern techniques have a high success rate when executed by experienced teams. Equally, transplanted trees continue to grow and thrive for decades, providing benefits far beyond initial investment. Another misconception is that only certain species can be moved. While species vary in tolerance, almost all common urban and estate trees, can be relocated successfully with proper planning.

All this mean that as cities and estates evolve, preserving mature and veteran trees should be an integral part of sustainable planning. Developers and planners can no longer view trees as obstacles – they are assets, contributing to heritage, community well-being and ecology. By incorporating mature tree retention or relocation into early-stage planning, projects can achieve a balance between progress and preservation. The result is a landscape that respects the past, serves the present and remains resilient for the future.

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Getting Stalled Developments off the Drawing Board

 

Closing the skills gap and the need to unlock private sector investment will be among the biggest challenges facing construction in 2026.

David Robinson, managing director of leading Lancashire headquartered architecture design and masterplanning practice FWP, says having the skillsets needed to deliver projects will be vital if government targets around housing and infrastructure are to be met.

He also believes unlocking private sector investment is massively important to moving stalled developments off the drawing board.

Looking at the next 12 months in the industry, David says:

“Falls in interest rates would be really helpful in getting developments moving and fuelling people’s instincts to invest. It’s good that we have seen some movement in the right direction at the end of 2025.

“Overall, the economy should stabilise in the year ahead, compared to what we have seen in recent times, which will also help persuade developers to push ahead with projects.

“Although there are still external pressures such as the situation in Ukraine and the continued issues of Trump’s tariffs things look to be improving.

“The issue of skills shortages remains a widespread challenge across the industry. There is danger that the large commitment towards housebuilding that the government is pushing will draw on what resources we have available, to the detriment of other sectors.”

David is also looking for positive moves in the planning process to get more projects up and running. He says:

“I’m hoping that more inroads will be made into cutting the bureaucracy around developments and in making the process easier to navigate through a more common-sense approach.”

FWP is looking to 2026 with optimism, with its speciality in designing and delivering sports stadiums seeing a health pipeline of projects over the next 12 months and beyond.

The practice has a strong track record of delivery delivering successful ground developments for clubs at all levels of the football pyramid, including Preston North End, Fleetwood Town, and Peterborough United  in the EFL.

The practice, with headquarters in Preston and offices in Manchester and London, has built a national reputation for its sports work, through its design expertise and an approach that looks to create sustainable community stadiums.

David says:

“We see great opportunity in this sector, with a lot of major developments in the offing, it is a strong growth area for us.”

FWP also has a long and successful record of delivering NHS projects in the North West, including the Life and Urgent Care centres at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital and The Minerva Centre in Preston North End’s Deepdale ground.

David believes that the health sector will be another growth area for FWP in 2026 as investment in improving the NHS’s estate continues.

FWP celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2025, the award-winning firm’s work today covers all aspects of construction, from cost management to architecture and masterplanning services.

 

Source: Lancashire Business View

 

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