Latest news with #urbanRegeneration
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New Sunderland footbridge name shortlist revealed
Voting has opened to decide a name for Sunderland's latest multimillion-pound than 1,000 possible contenders were submitted by the public for the new Wear favourites have since been whittled down to a final three for people to choose from - Keel Crossing, Wear Crossing and Beacon Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council, said a panel of representatives from local community groups had been "overwhelmed" by the response. "We received over 1,000 in total, which shows just how much the campaign captured everyone's hearts and imaginations," he said."We've had entire families, school classes and community groups coming together to think of ideas, so hopefully this next stage will spark even more excitement."The panel included Rob Lawson, chair of Sunderland Business said he hoped the shortlist would "capture hearts and imaginations for generations to come". Due to open this summer, the bridge is a central figure in the development of Riverside Sunderland, described as one of the UK's most ambitious urban regeneration 10m-wide and spanning 260m, at a height of 30m above the river, it is one of several high-profile developments under £31m has been spent on the bridge, commissioned by the Labour-led council, which will link Keel Square with Sheepfolds and the Stadium of Light. In recent months, parts of the bridge have made their way across the North Sea after being manufactured in Ghent, footbridge naming vote is the first feature to go live on Your Sunderland, the new online platform launched by the council. The vote closes on 6 added: "By providing an open forum where residents can have a say on ongoing city developments and projects, we're ensuring everyone has a chance to shape the decisions directly impacting their lives and communities." Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook and Instagram
Hospitality Net
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
New hub by Premier Inn for South London
The transformation of underused office buildings into midscale hotels remains a key development model in the UK hotel sector. A recent example is Whitbread PLC's acquisition of Dorset House, marking the planned debut of hub by Premier Inn south of the River Thames. Adaptive reuse meets location-driven expansion Whitbread has secured the freehold of Dorset House, a 90,000 sq ft vacant office block in London's Southbank district, with plans to retrofit the nine-storey structure into a circa 400-bedroom hotel under the hub by Premier Inn brand. Subject to planning approval, the project will bring the brand to the south side of the Thames for the first time, expanding Whitbread's network of compact city-centre hotels. Strategic expansion through office-to-hotel conversions The planned Dorset House conversion reflects Whitbread's wider strategy of repurposing vacant commercial assets in core urban areas. In 2025 alone, the company has also secured sites in Holborn and Vauxhall, both of which involve similar office-to-hotel redevelopment. Such conversions allow operators to meet high demand for affordable accommodation in dense city locations while avoiding the longer lead times and higher costs of new-build projects. The strategy aligns with broader urban regeneration policies and planning priorities in cities like London. Sustainability and growth alignment The project also fits into Whitbread's broader Force for Good sustainability framework. From 2025, all Whitbread-owned hotels will be powered by renewable electricity. The group has also committed to reducing water consumption per sleeper by 20% by 2030. As part of its long-term growth plan, Whitbread aims to expand its room count from 85,500 to 125,000 across the UK and Ireland, with London remaining a central focus. Whitbread's expansion south of the Thames via the Dorset House project underscores how strategic location, sustainability, and adaptive reuse are converging to shape future hotel development in major urban markets. The approach enables rapid delivery, aligns with ESG goals, and meets the evolving expectations of both business and leisure travellers. Hotel website
