Eldon Square has announced Future Heritage, a new creative sector platform developed with Newcastle College and Fenwick to champion emerging creative talent across the North East. As a proud patron of the British Fashion Council, Eldon Square is working to connect regional creative industries with national fashion platforms including London Fashion Week. 

The initiative forms part of Eldon Square’s ongoing transformation, embedding cultural programming and creative industry partnerships to strengthen commercial performance while deepening civic engagement across the destination. 

Announced at global real estate event MIPIM, the initiative will commence in March 2026, aligned with Eldon Square’s 50th anniversary. As the first activation of Future Heritage, approximately 80 Level 3 Newcastle College students engaged in fashion, textiles, marketing and art and design programmes have been tasked with producing fabric designs and fashion items celebrating Newcastle’s heritage in the context of Eldon Square’s milestone year. 

The project will culminate in a major showcase event in September at the soon-to-launch Freight Island, a ground-breaking 60,000 sq ft mixed-use entertainment venue in Eldon Square. The showcase is expected to form part of the British Fashion Council’s consumer programme during London Fashion Week. 

For Eldon Square, the platform reinforces its economic and social positioning, strengthening long-term commercial resilience through meaningful local retailer partnerships and relationships with key city stakeholders. Across the North East, this will further drive local prosperity and enhance reputation, creating long-term strategic and practical opportunity at every level while positioning Newcastle as a national benchmark for enduring public–private partnership in regional retail. 

By embedding education, the creative industries and civic partnerships into its marketing model, Eldon Square is delivering both strategic and local impact, with performance measurement built in. Social impact is deployed through measurable event and marketing platforms that unlock sales-accretive retailer collaboration and directly strengthen core KPIs -footfall, frequency, dwell time, advocacy and resilient rental performance – while creating a unifying identity that resonates with its loyal catchment. 

In 2025, Eldon Square welcomed 26.4 million visitors and delivered +4.3% total sales growth, significantly outperforming the BRC in-store non-food benchmark of 0.9%. The scheme also recorded the fastest regional brand recognition growth, demonstrating the commercial impact of its culture-led placemaking strategy. 

Pete Cooper, Director at XPE Group, said: “Retail real estate ownership has changed. Making it work now requires different modelling, management and mindset. Three years into our repositioning strategy, the numbers demonstrate what is possible when the civic and private sector align around a smart, mutually beneficial strategy. 

Future Heritage etends that approach. We are embedding cultural and local creative industries infrastructure directly into Eldon Square’s commercial fabric. Why? Because the creative sector is widely recognised as an outstanding future growth opportunity already outperforming many comparable UK sectors and it is a sector, particularly in Newcastle, where its cultural roots run deep. 

As a patron of the British Fashion Council, we are proud to support initiatives that connect regional talent with national industry platforms such as London Fashion Week, defending, promoting and elevating opportunity across multiple private and public platforms at once – in measurable ways. We firmly believe projects like these help shape how regional retail evolves and remains relevant in the coming decade.” 

Jon Ridley, Principal of Newcastle College, said: “This collaboration brings together organisations to celebrate and harness North East creativity and talent. By working with Eldon Square and engaging with international industry platforms such as the British Fashion Council, we are giving our students an accessible, supportive pathway to showcase their brilliance to industry. 

Experiential learning is central to our approach – students develop skills, networks and real opportunities to thrive. They are not just observing from the sidelines and making notes; they are hands on, shaping the creative and retail landscape of Newcastle and the UK.” 

The Future Heritage collaboration draws on Newcastle College’s specialist teaching teams and industry‑aligned creative programmes, ensuring students can deliver work that meets professional standards. 

Pam Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Newcastle City Council, added: “We are fiercely proud of the quality and longevity of our public-private partnerships. Eldon Square is a flagship asset for the city and a showcase for what Newcastle stands for. Maintaining that position means never standing still. 

Through initiatives such as Future Heritage, we are demonstrating how civic ambition and commercial discipline can work together through strategic partnerships to deliver recognition, results and resilience; all of which contribute to local pride and prosperity.” 

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With a runway staged against a backdrop of sculptural snow igloos, GUESS is the first fashion brand to present its collection in such a unique Alpine setting. Building on last year’s pioneering high-altitude fashion show at Glacier 3000, this new edition marks a natural evolution of the concept, unfolding in an immersive runway experience. The show welcomed a highly curated audience of approximately 60 guests, including key opinion leaders, influencers, and representatives of the European press.

Framed by snow-covered peaks and pristine scenery, the show unfolded in a seamless dialogue with its environment, during the golden hour when natural light reached its most evocative intensity. Altitude, ice, light, and landscape became integral elements of the narrative, demonstrating GUESS’ ability to bring glamour and heritage into unexpected, awe-inspiring contexts. As the sun set over the mountains, the natural transition into dusk heightened the intensity of an emotional, live performance by violinist Laura Zimmermann, transforming the moment into an immersive cinematic experience.

Transparent, crystalline structures evoked minerals and quartz formations emerging from the snow, while reflective surfaces amplified the nuances of the golden hour light enhancing movement and adding depth and rhythm. GUESS red LED lighting and accents elegantly reinforced brand identity, integrating perfectly into the candid white surroundings, reinforcing brand identity, without imposing on the beauty of the natural setting. combining minimal design with a strong visual presence, inspired by carved ice and snow.

Models appeared through a crystal sculpture made of ice and snow, moving along a snow-covered runway set directly within the alpine landscape, echoing the sophisticated spirit that increasingly defines GUESS’s winter storytelling. This season, the brand unveiled its Fall/Winter 2026 Ski Capsule alongside a curated preview of fashion looks, conceived as a confident expression of winter glamour and après-ski attitude. Built around iconic silhouettes and signature pieces, the collection embraces a relaxed yet refined alpine aesthetic, where layered volumes, soft textures and statement proportions define an effortlessly chic winter wardrobe. Plush faux furs, sculptural outerwear, cozy knits and tactile finishes come together in a balanced dialogue between comfort and allure, reaffirming GUESS’s distinctive vision of winter style: glamorous, warm and designed to be lived both on and beyond the slopes.

Beyond the runway show, the event unfolded as part of a broader GUESS winter experience, designed to fully immerse special guests in the world of the brand. Throughout their stay, participants were invited to enjoy a series of exclusive moments conceived as rejuvenating and engaging experiences.

Among them, a dedicated wellness moment featured red light therapy sessions developed in collaboration with Luminous Labs, a rejuvenating ritual designed to prepare guests for the fashion show. The treatment’s signature red glow echoed the brand’s visual theme, subtly connecting wellness, performance, and identity.

The experience was further enriched by convivial gatherings and refined evenings at some of Gstaad’s most iconic venues, including the Hotel Bellevue and La Ferme Saint-Amour. These occasions extended the spirit of the runway beyond the show itself, creating a seamless journey in which every detail echoed the same values of intimacy, refinement, and a deep sense of belonging.

Spanning across Switzerland, Italy, and France, including Zermatt, Bormio, Courchevel, and Glacier 3000, GUESS asserted its presence through large-scale activations, from branded ski lifts and gondolas to outdoor installations and hospitality experiences.

“The 2026 fashion show embodies the very essence of GUESS,” said Paul Marciano, Co-founder & Chief Creative Officer of GUESS?, Inc. “It has allowed us to craft an immersive, emotionally resonant experiences in one of the world’s most coveted destinations — honoring our heritage while pushing our identity in bold and unexpected directions. Presenting the new collection at Gstaad, surrounded by its iconic alpine landscape, is yet another testament to how GUESS continues to evolve while remaining firmly rooted in its DNA.”

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The project saw the DIY SOS team and volunteers come together in Cheshire for The Joshua Tree, a charity that provides vital support to children with cancer and their families. A new two-storey wing has been added to the charity’s support centre, doubling its size to meet growing demand.

As part of the build, Wren donated and installed five small kitchens plus worktops for family studio spaces, creating a welcoming ‘home from home’ environment for families staying on site. The installation took place under a tight nine-day build schedule, with Wren’s installation team working overnight to ensure the kitchens were ready in time. Colleagues from local showrooms also joined as volunteers throughout the week and attended the emotional big reveal.

Danielle Percival, Head of Family Support at the Joshua Tree said: “The Joshua Tree has been supporting families affected by childhood cancer for almost 20 years. Whilst we’ve grown a lot in that time, to now support over 400 families, we know there are even more children and their families out there in need of our services. Our support centre in Cheshire has been transformed by the DIY SOS team and everyone who has volunteered their time or donated materials. Contributions from Wren means we now have the facilities to expand our support across the country and eventually double the number of families we support. We want to say a huge thank you to Wren for supporting our DIY SOS Big Build, and being part of the transformation of our centre, and our charity.”

The episode will air on Thursday 13^th November 2025 during the BBC’s annual Children in Needweek, showcasing the life-changing impact of the project.

Speaking about the build, Raf Klimek, Wren’s Manufacturing & Logistics Director, said: “It’s been fantastic to support DIY SOS once again, particularly for such a meaningful project. The Joshua Tree provides vital support for children and families at the most difficult of times, and being able to play a part in expanding their facilities is a privilege. Our teams worked hard to ensure the kitchens were ready on time, and seeing everyone volunteer their time and skills alongside so many others was truly inspiring.”

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Tapi Carpets & Floors are proud to introduce the Helping Hands Project¹, a new initiative designed to support and uplift communities across the UK. Through Helping Hands, every Tapi permanent employee has the opportunity to directly back local causes that matter most to their colleagues, whether that’s helping a nearby school, providing flooring to a community centre, or donating resources to a grassroots charity.

Helping Hands was created to put the power of giving back into the hands of Tapi colleagues, ensuring that support is meaningful, personal, and tailored to the needs of each community. By encouraging teams to nominate and champion local causes, Tapi aims to build strong, lasting relationships at the heart of the communities it serves.

How Helping Hands will help
The project goes beyond one-off donations; it’s about creating lasting value. Helping Hands initiatives include team members applying for donations to support fundraising activities such as running a marathon, hosting a local event, or taking on a personal challenge.

This flexibility ensures that Helping Hands can reach a wide range of people, from children and families to older generations, making sure Tapi’s support has a positive impact across society.

Success so far
Stores across the UK have helped refurbish community halls, donated to food banks, supported mental health charities, and offered practical help to groups in need. A key highlight is the £700 that Brands and Communications Director Johanna Constantinou raised for the Eve Branson Foundation in December 2024 by climbing Mount Toubkal!

With every store able to get involved, the initiative is set to grow into a nationwide network of kindness, reinforcing Tapi’s values of care, support, and giving back.

Looking back: a successful partnership with GOSH Charity
Helping Hands builds on the strong foundation of Tapi’s long-standing partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity)². From 2016 to 2024, Tapi raised an incredible £170,000³ for GOSH Charity through its simple pledge: donating £1 for every customer survey completed.

The funds raised have helped GOSH Charity support Great Ormond Street Hospital’s (GOSH) most urgent needs. The charity funds pioneering medical research, cutting-edge equipment and vital support services for children and their families to ensure every child gets the best chance and best childhood possible.

Jeevan Karir, CEO of Tapi Carpets & Floors shares his excitement about Helping Hands: “Helping Hands is about recognising the passions of our colleagues and backing the causes that matter most to them. We’ve seen the impact of what we can achieve together through our fundraising for GOSH Charity, and Helping Hands is our way of carrying that spirit into the communities where we live and work every day. I’m proud that every colleague now has the chance to champion the causes that mean the most to them, knowing Tapi will be there to support them.”

“Our partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity has been one of the most meaningful commitments we’ve made at Tapi. To have raised £170,000 and know that these funds have supported families, helped fund child-centred medical facilities, and contributed to pioneering research is something we are all incredibly proud of. It has been a privilege to stand alongside GOSH Charity in helping to make a real difference for children and their families during such difficult times,” says Lord Harris.

Sarah Bissell, Deputy Director of Relationship Fundraising at GOSH Charity, said: “We are so grateful to Tapi Carpets & Floors for raising an incredible £170,000 for GOSH Charity. Their generosity has helped fund vital services like family accommodation and the Play team, as well as pioneering research and equipment – all of which make a huge difference to seriously ill children and their families. We’re delighted to see Tapi continue this legacy of kindness with their Helping Hands initiative, ensuring even more communities feel their support.”

Continuing the legacy
While the partnership with GOSH Charity has come to a close, with Lord Harris presenting the final cheque on 30^th September, the impact will continue to be felt for years to come. Helping Hands ensures Tapi can carry forward this spirit of giving in new ways, supporting local communities across the UK and building on the legacy of care established through its fundraising for GOSH Charity.

1. https://www.tapi.co.uk/help/charity
2. https:// www.tapi.co.uk/about/great-ormond-street-hospital
3. https://www.theretailbulletin.com/general-merchandise/tapi-raises-100000-for-great-ormond-street-hospital-childrens-charity-23-09-2022/

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Already, a growing number of major brands and retailers are backing this year’s Great Cable Challenge – from high street retailers and major brands to community groups and local authorities. Many companies and organisations are already on board including QVC UK, who will use their website and live shopping channels to encourage customers to recycle electricals, and B&Q, Samsung Electronics UK, Boots, Virgin Media O2, Beko, and Barnardo’s who are encouraging employees to recycle through office collections. Other companies such as Back Market will be accepting any cables for recycling at their offices as well as hosting a pop-up event pre IEWD, where collection of electricals will also be available. Fora, eBay, Mazuma, Careium, Freegle, and Dunelm are also participating in the campaign. These partners will be running collection points, promoting the campaign to their communities, and inspiring people to dig out their cables and get recycling.

International E-Waste Day (IEWD) is a global moment to highlight electrical waste – the fastest-growing waste stream in the world, and in the UK. Each year, millions of people and countries worldwide join together to raise awareness and drive action towards reuse and recycling of unwanted electricals.

First launched for International E-Waste Day 2024, the Great Cable Challenge brought together 200 organisations who ran collections and held events in offices, schools, shops and local communities, helping thousands of people clear out their ‘drawer of doom’ and recycle their old cables and electricals. Organisations like Curry’s, B&Q, Gumtree, Ecotricity, Virgin Media O2, and 98 local authorities all encouraged their employees, customers and residents to recycle their cables . This year, The Great Cable Challenge is back – aiming to build on last year’s success by engaging even more partners and inspiring action on reusing and recycling electricals.

According to Material Focus’ research, the average UK household is holding onto and binning 22 cables which, across the UK, is enough cables to reach the moon and back! Each of these cables contains valuable, critical and finite materials like copper, which are lost forever when cables and other electricals are thrown away. Copper is also 100 percent recyclable and uses significantly less energy than mining for new materials and can be reused to create anything from phones, transport, clean energy and medical equipment.

Anyone can get involved in the Great Cable Challenge – households, local authorities, retailers, community projects and businesses.

Simply bag up your cables – and any other old, unwanted electricals you find in your ‘drawer of doom’ – and visit Recycle Your Electricals’ postcode locator to find your local donation or recycling point.

Material Focus has created a campaign toolkit to enable local authorities, retailers, and community projects across the UK to take part in the challenge and help inspire people to recycle their old cables and other small electricals.

Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus said, “Almost all of us have old cables stashed away at home. Fess up time, I have a box under my bed of cables I’ve been holding onto ‘just in case.’ Last year, over 200 organisations joined The Great Cable Challenge and helped save hundreds of kilos of copper from going to waste – proving just how big a difference we can all make – one cable at a time. By recycling just one cable, we can all help reclaim valuable materials like copper and see how easy it is to make a positive impact.”.

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Located in the centre of Manchester, the Arndale Centre is one of the largest indoor shopping centres in the UK. The centre features over 200 stores as well as numerous food outlets and leisure spaces for visitors to enjoy.

The project’s brief was to replace the previous screen with a new display that was high-impact, functional and efficient. The main requirements were to make the most of the existing structure, fit the building’s 34-metre convex curve, and ensure energy-saving performance and remote monitoring capabilities.

Absen worked closely with Ocean to create a customised cabinet solution designed to fit the Arndale Centre’s unique curvature requirements and seamlessly blend with the building aesthetic. As part of the process, Absen created a prototype set-up at its UK showroom to road-test the display cabinets and screen. The new screen needed to be lightweight to work with the existing steel support structure and had to be designed for maintenance access while fitting the exact convex curve. The Absen A0621 (Energy Saving version), was the perfect solution to meet these requirements.

The screen measures an impressive 17.92 m wide by 5.12 m high. A custom ‘cut panel’ feature ensures the screen fits the building’s curve. The solution also offers several important benefits, including a 30 percent + reduction in power consumption which helps lower operational costs, and intelligent monitoring for real-time data collection and management.

Ocean commented: “We selected Absen based on the company’s lightweight product design and its ability to create custom solutions for complex architectural requirements. The client feedback has been positive.”

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A UNESCO World Heritage city, Bath is the only city in the UK to be designated a World Heritage Site in its entirety. Aside from its popularity with tourists and Jane Austen fans, its independent restaurant scene has been bolstered in recent years by the openings of acclaimed restaurants such as Upstairs at Landrace and Beckford Canteen, solidifying its reputation as a destination for dining as well as history and culture.

Set within Bath’s upmarket shopping quarter, Shires Yard is a contemporary redevelopment cocooned between Georgian townhouses stretching from Milsom Street to Broad Street. It sits just a stone’s throw from landmark sites such as the Royal Crescent and the Circus.

Comprising 75,000 sq ft of listed buildings, suntrap courtyards, terraces and vaults, the design blends heritage roots with modern finishes to create a stylish and sympathetically reimagined space. The exterior landscaping has been recently implemented by Jon Wheatley, RHS Victoria Medal of Honour recipient and fourteen-time RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winner, whose team will continue to curate seasonal planting and displays

Previously named Milsom Place, the site was first named Shires Yard in the Georgian period, operating as a working stable yard that would transport goods and art from Bath to London. Now under new ownership, its latest custodians are keen to bring this past to life, restoring the original name to honour its past energy and dynamism.

The site will launch as Shires Yard on 15^th October 2025.

A reimagined heritage

The area around Shires Yard has been part of Bath’s cultural reputation since the 18^th century. Now, visitors and locals alike will be able to discover an array of independent businesses, with a focus on new British heritage and west country talent. The aim is to become a collective hub of creativity, from established names to breakthrough brands, spanning retail, food and drink, wellness and lifestyle.

William Riordan, who is leading the project, commented: “This is about creating a place where people feel connected – to the makers and partners within the estate, to the stories and the memories created on site, and above all, to each other. We want to foster a sense of belonging that goes beyond shopping or eating and drinking, creating a community for the people of this very special city and those who visit.”

Shires Yard partner Peter Phillips, commented: “Our goal when we started was to re-energise an important part of Bath’s history. We wanted to make it a place that the city could be proud of, and somewhere that people wanted to go with friends and enjoy good food and shopping in unique surroundings, making it a focal point once again.”

In the next phase of development, there are plans in the future to add a boutique hotel which will sit at the centre of Milsom Street. The hotel will be created by British hotel developer Oberland, a specialist in turning heritage buildings into destinations for the discerning modern traveller. The Bath location will join other upcoming openings across the UK; all intentionally located in heritage buildings, honouring their individual histories whilst providing contemporary, design-led accommodation.

Oberland co-founder Andrew Dean, commented: “Our vision is to breathe new life into remarkable heritage buildings, creating spaces where history and modern comfort sit side by side. Bath’s rich architectural legacy makes it the perfect addition to our collection, and we’re excited to offer guests a destination that feels both timeless and fresh.”

What’s new?

Recent additions this summer include Magari, cooking fresh homemade pasta, Coret Coffee & Wine, serving specialty teas, coffees and wine, and The Cookery Studio, delivering hands-on masterclasses in their specially designed space.

Moving into the former Jamie’s Italian restaurant, occupying an expansive space over two floors and a rooftop terrace, will be Root by Josh & Holly Eggleton’s The Pony Group and co-patrons Rob Howell and Meg Oakley-Howell. Serving Root’s signature vegetable-led plates in a double-height, light-filled space, this will be their first site in Bath and the largest Root to date, with the addition of a casual dining and drinks space on the ground floor serving a dedicated Root cocktail menu. It will open in October 2025, joining their two existing sites in Bristol and Wells.

Another notable opening this autumn will be Bramley, with their first standalone store. Following the successful launch of their new Bramley Skin spa range, the serene space will showcase their full range of natural body and skincare products, with plans to offer skincare consultations and experiences.

Clothing brands moving in will include a flagship store for Gieves & Hawkes, the iconic British menswear house with over two centuries of history, and RM Williams, which will be taking over a beautiful former bank building on Milsom Street.

For those seeking wellness experiences, there is hot yoga studio Yogakave, while creative types can visit British furniture maker Arlo & Jacob, artist galleries Nicholas H Wood and Sandra Higgins, and create their own floral bouquet at independent florist, Anemone. The Milsom Street entrance to Shires Yard boasts a revolving pop-up space that will host smaller independents, currently occupied by Somerset based all-natural craft ice cream brand, Brickell’s. The scheme will also welcome a pop-up from independent brewery Electric Bear, who will open a taproom celebrating their small-batch craft beers brewed locally in the city.

These new additions join existing restaurants Bosco pizzeria, The Botanist, Bandook Indian and Côte Brasserie, and there will be more new openings from retailers and restaurateurs in the coming months. In line with Bath’s thriving cultural calendar, there will also be a programme of special events throughout the year in 2026, tapping into key moments and bringing the site to life with each season.

A reinvestment in the high street

Shires Yard directly fronts Milsom Street, which has a fashionable history and has been part of Bath’s food and cultural reputation since the 1770s. In Georgian times, this grand shopping street became renowned for its restaurants, shops and social scene; and was home to some of the earliest ‘retail showrooms’ in the UK.

Today, the surrounding streets boast the likes of Mulberry, Kiehl’s, Piglet, Aesop, Jo Malone, TOAST, Farrow & Ball and Devol Kitchens. Adjoining Shires Yard is Green Street, a charming side street with newly opened independent eateries including 18 Green Street and Green Street Butchers, joining the likes of Paxton & Whitfield and 18^th century pub, The Old Green Tree.

The latest development and branding of Shires Yard hark back to its original name and heritage. In the 18th century, every Wednesday and Sunday, Thomas Wiltshire’s ‘Flying Horses’ left from Shires Yard on the two-and-a-half-days’ journey to London’s Holborne Bridge, sometimes carrying the works of the Bath artist Thomas Gainsborough.

A small shopping mall opened on this site in 1988. It later re-opened at twice its original size, incorporating a second Georgian courtyard. It is now set to enter its next phase under new ownership and direction, maintaining Milsom Street’s place as the fashionable heart of the city.

The redevelopment of Shires Yard is part of a wider investment in the city of Bath, which attracts some six million visitors per year and is home to the UK’s only thermal spa. The new Milsom Quarter Masterplan, now underway, will create improved streets and public spaces around the Milsom Quarter, new creative workspaces and a new residential neighbourhood. It will also see the development of the Bath Fashion Museum in the former Old Post Office building, a project estimated at £37 million that will be a first of its kind outside of London.

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The multimillion-pound development is home to a curated line-up of 52 brands, across leading fashion, athleisure and outdoor favourites, as well as lifestyle and homeware retailers and dining eateries. The look and feel of the site is a tasteful blend of traditional Cotswolds architecture, uplifted with contemporary features, to create a modern take on Cotswold villages, which fits in perfectly with the local area.

With extensive experience in delivering retail environments, rpa:group was tasked with providing architecture and design services for the new Crew Clothing, Ben Sherman and Saltrock stores, which have a product offering and clientele that is perfectly matched for this location.

Comments Carmela Brewer, Senior Architectural Technician at rpa:group, who was significantly involved in the delivery of the stores, “The Crew and Ben Sherman stores are situated next to one another, with both having a striking double-height space at the front, which has been fully utilised to convey their individuality.

Crew has an impactful slat wall finish with a large-scale logo signage. The slat walls are repeated throughout the space to make the environment warmer and more inviting. The interior is a light and airy space that boasts fun, playful pops of colour that convey the brand’s inspirations, routed in British sporting and yachting traditions. The cash desk is cloaked in thick bold stripes and softened by an oak countertop, with a wrapping desk that is encapsulated by its niched backdrop, and is fully clad in vertical slats, with illuminated logo signage.

The Ben Sherman space by contrast, uses their brand timeline to influence how clients are welcomed into the store. The whole space is reflective of the brand’s updated retro & mod style aesthetic, from the consistent stripe round the perimeter; gently guiding the customer further into the bright store, to the exposed brickwork accents, that ground the space and provide the backdrop to the cash desk. This feature, paired with the iconic illuminated target logo, creates a focal point from all areas of the store

Saltrock was a Whitebox fit-out, and its character was effectively portrayed through the use of reclaimed wood in various finishes. “Saltrock are passionate about living life in the moment and reconnecting with the outdoors, and the playful, laid-back aesthetic of the store conveys the surfer ethos, to ensure that customers are inspired, regardless of whether they are living inland or by the coast,” explains Carmela.

Carmela concludes, “All three stores have such a unique and strong identity, despite all being launched at once, in the same location, for the very first time. Our collaboration on this with Future City Group, has been instrumental in ensuring the smooth and prompt delivery of these projects, whilst maintaining the highest standards of quality.”

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The combined energy output of the multiple installations will be up to 10MWp – approximately enough to power 3,000 UK homes – and will save 2,500 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Iceland has been part of the UK’s grocery industry for over half a century and is one of the country’s fastest growing retailers, with close to 1,000 stores nationwide. In 2014, Iceland expanded its offering and opened its first The Food Warehouse Store – a larger store concept – and today there are 200 of these.

The Iceland store on Penny Lane, Liverpool, is the first of the sites to install on-site renewable energy with Shawton, closely followed by Queensferry Food Warehouse. The 88kW (Penny Lane) and 115kW (Queensferry) systems combined are estimated to save the retailer over 40,000kg of CO₂ annually.

Further stores on Iceland’s solar rollout list include sites in Coventry, Shrewsbury, Doncaster, Leicester, Waterlooville, Ellesmere Port, Dover, and more.

Merseyside-headquartered Shawton Energy is the solar energy partner delivering the scheme and will design, develop, fund, and manage the rooftop solar PV systems across all locations through a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) model.

This means that Iceland will have access to clean, on-site energy generation without the need for any initial capital outlay.

Commenting on the announcement, Jamie Shaw, CEO of Shawton Energy, said: “We’re proud to be partnering with Iceland to deliver large-scale, multi-site rooftop solar projects. Their forward-thinking entrepreneurial approach to the projects has forged a strong relationship between the businesses.

This announcement demonstrates our continued growth within the UK retail sector. Our full turnkey offering and capability to manage complex rollouts with excellent customer service and speed, is a reflection of our recent success, targeting high-demand, national portfolios.”

Graham Ireland, Head of Energy & Mechanical Services at Iceland, added: “Sustainability is a core priority for our business, and this rooftop solar project marks another major step forward in reducing our carbon footprint across the Iceland estate.

In 2021, we became the world’s first retailer to commit to be Net Zero carbon, and by generating clean, renewable energy on site, we’re taking a major step toward meeting our environmental goals.

“This partnership with Shawton Energy is an exciting step in our journey towards achieving net zero by 2040. Generating renewable energy to power our sites will continue to be a priority for us in the coming years, as we continue to identify solutions to optimise sustainability across the business.”

Image courtesy of Shawton Energy.

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The Fleet Street Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) and Landsec have partnered with London’s Community Kitchen, founded by former chef Taz Khan, MBE, to launch the Urban Farmer Project in the City of London. This pioneering initiative seeks to address pressing climate challenges by transforming food that would have become waste into nourishing meals for those facing food insecurity while also providing sustainable solutions for urban food production.

Combatting food waste and poverty, the Urban Farmer Project will utilise surplus ingredients to create nutritious meals for some of London’s most vulnerable communities. Collaborating with Thomas Franks Foundation and City Harvest, a major London surplus food distribution centre, the Urban Farmer Project kitchen will create over 20,000 meals for those in need during the Christmas season alone.

Located at the former bar within Landsec’s new Hill House development, just north of Fleet Street, the Urban Farmer Project will serve as a dynamic marketplace, educational hub and events space dedicated to tackling food poverty and widen access to sustainable farm produce. The Urban Farmer Project will also function as a showroom for circular economy practices and advanced food-growing technologies such as hydroponics.

The Urban Farmer Project is a meanwhile use initiative which temporarily uses space at Hill House prior to development to support both the local community and the environment.

Key features of the Urban Farmer Project include:

• Urban Farming – Square Mile Farms and the Urban Farmer Project team will exhibit cutting-edge hydroponics technology and grow produce on-site. They will cultivate 5kg of microgreens per month – equivalent to 200 servings and 15kg of greens per month, including spinach, kale and basil. Hydroponic farming allows for faster growth and higher yields than traditional growing methods.
• Sustainable Artist Installations – The first installation is PLANTATION by Polish artist Alicja Patanowska (19 November – 11 December), a series of hand-made porcelain elements designed for growing plants, herbs and vegetables using hydroponics when combined with repurposed drink glasses. PLANTATION explores the nexus of art, agriculture, and sustainability, inviting reflection on our collective responsibility toward the environment.
• A Sustainable Arts and Culture Community Hub – In partnership with Das Das Box, Mert Firat UN DP Ambassador for Turkey and the BBC Academy, enriching the cultural landscape of the Square Mile. During the day, it will provide a creative art space for children, and in the evening, it will host events for artists and community groups, inviting them to explore and learn about food sustainability.
• Farm Shop – Celebrating the best of British agriculture and local artisan food producers featuring products such as Enfield Veg Co, Lee Valley Honey, and Caple Manor Wines
• Monthly Farmers Market – Bringing together communities, this market will support local farmers and foster connections among those dedicated to sustainable food practices.
• WasteLab – Providing live plastic recycling demonstrations, featuring 3D printers that transform plastic bottles into new products, and educational programmes to engage local schools.
• Workshops and Events – Focused on sustainability and the arts, promoting environmental awareness.
• Podcast Studio – Fostering meaningful dialogue and discussion with local leaders on urban challenges and solutions. Established under the name Seeds of Harmony, it will be produced in collaboration with BBC Academy.
• Support for Local Farmers – The Urban Farmer Project will serve as a platform for local farmers to showcase and sell their high-quality produce, thus promoting British agriculture and sustainable food choices.

The Urban Farmer Project embodies a collaborative approach to addressing the climate crisis and advancing the United Nations Development Programme’s Sustainable Development Goals. By creating a space that champions sustainability, community resilience, and cultural enrichment, this initiative demonstrates how local actions can contribute to global efforts against climate change and social inequality.

Lucy French, CEO of Fleet Street Quarter BID: “Sustainability and building a connected community are at the heart of our Fleet Street Quarter ambitions. Working with our incredible partners to activate this meanwhile space to positively impact our area and the local community is so exciting. It is a coalition of the willing working together to drive positive change, setting collaboration, climate and community at the heart of an urban centre. Watch this space!”

Oliver Hunt, Development Director at Landsec: “The Urban Farmer Project will open up parts of Hill House to create an exciting new place for the community. Not only will the Urban Farmer Project directly tackle food insecurity in the city, it will also be a space where people come together to learn, socialise and create.”

Taz Khan MBE, Founder of London’s Community Kitchen: “We aim to empower the community while tackling food poverty, creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. This project is a vital step toward fostering a sustainable future.”

Starting from Tuesday 19^th November, the Urban Farmer Project will be open to the public from 10am-4pm seven days a week. The project is supported by Square Mile Farms, Das Das Box, BBC Academy, Thomas Franks, City Harvest and WasteLab.

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