RPP ROUND UP: WINTER 2025

It’s time for our quarterly Round Up of news and activity from across RPP Group. 

In this edition:

• We look at Advanced Manufacturing and what differentiates it from a standard industrial unit.
• We celebrate Bradford City of Culture, highlighting our recent works from across the city.
• You’ll find updates on some of our latest projects including HBD’s SPARK, Trafford Centre and Yorkshire Choice Homes. 
• News stories from across the group, including new colleagues, a new framework appointment and a little bit of giving back to our communities.    

Advanced Manufacturing: Industrial Units of the Future

With developments in AI, advanced robotics and smart manufacturing systems, we are seeing an increasing need for advanced manufacturing facilities. As demand for cutting-edge space grows, it is beneficial to understand the complexities involved in their design and development.

But what makes advanced manufacturing requirements different to those of a standard industrial unit?

Read more

Supporting Bradford City of Culture

2025 sees Bradford as the new UK City of Culture and as a business founded in Yorkshire, and with an office in Bradford, it only seems right to show our support and highlight some of the incredible projects we have been involved in across this diverse city.

Having worked for many years with Bradford Metropolitan District Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, as well as many Bradford based organisations from the University of Bradford to Morrisons Supermarkets, we’ve been involved in an array of developments.

Here we share a snapshot of some of our most recent projects from across the Bradford district: Read more

RECENT PROJECTS:

After two years of remediation works on the former James Bridge Copper Works site, we’re looking forward to construction commencing on site at HBD’s 620,000 sq ft landmark logistics and manufacturing hub, SPARK Walsall.

Construction commences this month on the first two units; Unit A providing 249,594 sq ft and Unit G 18,233 sq ft of high-spec warehouse and office space. Completion expected Q4 this year.

Services: Cost Consultant, Contract Administrator and CDM PD

Our latest F&B retail scheme at the Trafford Centre sees the completion of the re-theming of the newly named Eastern Garden area.

Works included the creation of three food and beverage units and two kiosks, along with high spec elevation treatments, feature lighting, suspended ceiling grids with hanging blossoms and a “Moon Gate” entrance to the mall.

Services: Project and Cost Management, CDM PD and Building Regulations PD

Works have completed on two of our latest education projects for Outwood Grange Academies Trust. Outwood Academy Haydock underwent the construction of new music rooms, dining hall and multi-teaching area, while Outwood Academy Hindley saw a large-scale internal remodelling, with upgraded teaching and student facilities.

Services: Cost Consultant

Work is progressing well at Yorkshire Choice Homes new build housing development of 191 homes in the historic town of Askern in Doncaster.

Foundations and brick work laid to DPC following large scale remediation works on the former industrial site, with completion expected summer 2026.

Services: Building Regulations PD and CDM PD

The next phase of infrastructure works started this month at Horizon 120 Braintree in preparation for the development of phase two at this 100-acre business park.

The works involve constructing a new section of roadway and the installation of associated services, infrastructure and landscaping and is expected to complete in Summer 2025.

Services: Cost Consultants, Employer’s Agent and CDM PD

LATEST NEWS:

RPP WELCOMES A RAFT OF NEW TALENT!

We’re pleased to welcome five new team members as we continue to strengthen our service offering.

Our southern team has been boosted with the appointments of Project Manager, Matthew Brearley and Quantity Surveyor, George Ndirangu, with Trainee Quantity Surveyor, Isobel Hughes, joining our Leeds team.

Meanwhile, two highly experienced specialists join RPP’s Asbestos Consultancy as it sets its sights on growth. James Sigsworth joins as Asbestos Director & UKAS Quality Manager, and is joined by Asbestos Surveyor Richard Thompson

Read more

ANOTHER NEWSLETTER, ANOTHER FRAMEWORK ANNOUNCEMENT!

We’re thrilled to have been appointed to the YORconsult3 professional services consultancy framework.

Covering Yorkshire and the Humber, the Northeast, Lincolnshire and parts of the Midlands, our appointment enables collaborative working with local authorities and public organisations, offering a streamlined access to our services.

Successfully appointed to provide Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying and Project Management/Contract Administration, this achievement demonstrates our expertise in delivering innovative, efficient and sustainable projects, whilst making a positive impact on the communities we serve.

For information on working with us via the framework contact Marcus Rathbone for QS and PM or Dorran Burton for Building Surveying services.

GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITIES

December was time for giving something back to our local communities as our colleagues made a generous donation to Leeds South and East Foodbank and provided over 50 Christmas selection boxes to Cleckheaton Foodbank, Bradford.

We also saw Alex Blenard and Daniel Ryan head to their local high school, as they undertook mock interview sessions with year 11 students at Parkside High School in Bradford, providing advice and support to help them prepare for post-16 interviews.

ACCESSIBLE RETAIL CHRISTMAS LUNCH

We were once again proud to be a sponsor at the Accessible Retail annual Christmas Dinner.  As the leading industry body for the out-of-town retail property sector, the event is a highlight of the retail industry calendar, and raised an amazing £50,000 for Variety, the Children’s Charity.

Many thanks to all our guests for joining Daren Chessun, David Williams and Gavin Lowe and making it a truly enjoyable event.

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