News in Brief: November 2024

William Hare Group has reported a strong financial performance for year ending 31 December 2023. The Group recorded a turnover for the year of £315.5M, an increase of £67.2M on the previous year and an EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation) of £9.8M – up from £3.4M in 2022.

One of Europe’s largest artificial intelligence (AI) data centres is set to be built in the north east of England, creating up to 4,000 jobs. The £10bn investment, by US-based equity firm Blackstone was initially announced by Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer on his recent visit to New York. Construction on the site, which was originally earmarked for the failed BritishVolt gigafactory, is expected to begin next year.

Kier has started work on a new healthcare project, which forms part of the University of Huddersfield’s National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC). Set to open at the end of 2025, the 6,800m² facility, which will be named the Emily Siddon Building, is situated near the centre of Huddersfield and will offer diagnostic services as well as a place for local businesses to thrive.

City planners have given the thumbs up for the redevelopment of Liverpool’s historic Littlewoods building. Built in 1938, the art deco landmark, which was once the home to the famous football pools company, will be converted into film and TV centre and will include two 1,850m² studios for big budget productions, as well as offices, workshops, studio support facilities and an education space.

Hackney Council has given the go-ahead for a 27-storey office block at One Fairchild Street in Shoreditch, east London. Developed by Rocket Properties and designed by architects AHMM, the project which sits close to the City of London’s financial district, will offer 25,500m² of office space, including affordable zones for start-ups and SMEs, as well as roof terraces.