RivingtonHark Further Expands Development Team
Karen Telling joins as Senior Development Manager
RivingtonHark has appointed Karen Telling as Senior Development Manager to help the team deliver our portfolio of complex repurposing, rejuvenation and regeneration projects.
Karen has extensive experience of all stages of development from conception to completion across complementing career paths as a Senior Development Manager and an award-winning Structural Engineer.
A chartered Civil and Structural Engineer by training, Karen spent 4 years as Senior Development Manager at Qualis Commercial, a wholly owned development company of Epping Forest District Council. During this time she simultaneously delivered multiple mixed use projects through Local Authority Partnerships.
The bulk of Karen’s impressive career was the 23 years at Waterman Structures becoming a Board Director and the Head of Repurposing & Regeneration in 2012. Karen has worked on and led teams delivering a number of major mixed use redevelopment schemes including Westgate – Oxford, Friars Walk – Newport and Victoria Gate – Leeds all of which achieved REVO gold awards,
She has a real passion and excitement for regeneration projects and the development of new urban environments.
David Lewis, Managing Director, commented:-
“I am delighted that Karen has joined RivingtonHark. She brings with her a great energy and enthusiasm for the types of projects we are involved in. Equally she bolsters our team with a new skillset and an unrivalled experience within delivery teams of some of the Country’s leading urban regeneration projects”.
RivingtonHark Appointed to NHS Development Management Framework
RivingtonHark has been appointed to NHS Property Services' Development Management Framework
It is the only dedicated framework for Development Manager services and is intended to be available to all contracting authorities as defined by Public Contracts regulations 2015. NHS Property Services is a government-owned company responsible for managing and maintaining approximately 2,700 properties within the National Health Service estate in England. The organisation collaborates with local NHS organisations, providing services such as property management, environmental support, and strategic planning. Its mission is to maximise the value of the NHS estate, ensuring it serves its purpose effectively.
The appointment comes after a rigorous procurement exercise and is intended to support NHSPS in their role.
David Lewis Managing Director of Rivington Hark said: ‘We are delighted to have secured our position on this important framework. It demonstrates that our detailed approach and experience across different sectors is recognised as bringing value to the broader public sector which is now increasingly important to bring improvements to our town centre.
Approval for next phase of Smithfield Riverside in Shrewsbury
Outline plans approved for the next phase of Smithfield Riverside in Shrewsbury
The second phase of the Smithfield Riverside regeneration project in Shrewsbury has taken a significant step forward, with an outline planning application being approved by Shropshire Council’s Northern Planning Committee.
RivingtonHark, acting as Development Manager for Shropshire Council, has managed the planning preparation and subsequent approval for Smithfield Riverside, the ambitious regeneration project set to transform the area between the River Severn and the Darwin Centre in Shrewsbury town centre.
The first phase of the project, which capitalises on Levelling Up funds secured from UK Government, was approved in 2024 and work is well underway. The former Riverside shopping centre has now been demolished, paving the way for ‘Riverside Gardens’ – a new public park on Roushill, which is due to start on site in early summer.
This second planning application, is an ‘outline’ application and secures the principle of development for three key plots located between Smithfield Road, Raven Meadows and the new park. It sets out the key design, scale and use recommendations of future buildings, helping to shape how the area will be developed over time, while respecting Shrewsbury’s historic character.
The site is expected to support a complementary mix of homes, offices and a hotel, with further detailed planning applications coming forward for each development in the future.
The permission is another milestone in the long-term plans to transform this area of the town centre and provides a clear framework to help unlock exciting next phases of development, helping the Council to attract investment for the long-term sustainable future of Smithfield Riverside
Congratulations must also go to our hard-working professional team – Faulkner Brown, Space Hub, ARUP and BNP Paribas, Turley, Waterman, EDP, Counter Context
RivingtonHark brings XF Gym to St Johns Shopping Centre Liverpool
XF Gym to Open Brand New 30,000 sq ft Fitness Centre in Liverpool City Centre
XF Gym, one of the UK’s newest fitness and wellness brands, will be opening a 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art fitness and wellbeing facility in the heart of Liverpool’s city centre. Having signed a new lease with us at the iconic St Johns Shopping Centre, XF Gym is set to bring a unique blend of world-class training facilities, wellness spaces, and a supportive community atmosphere to the city.
The new fitness hub will feature an expansive open-plan workout zone, a women-only space, as well as a wide variety of fitness classes in its group exercise studios, including yoga, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), boxing, dance, and cycling, along with luxury changing facilities for the ultimate fitness experience.
The award-winning St Johns Shopping Centre is a Liverpool icon comprising 540,000 sq ft of retail and leisure offerings as well as the amazing St Johns Beacon. Averaging one million visitors per month St Johns is home to a variety of popular brands, including JD Sports, Aldi, Liverpool FC Store, Sainsbury’s, Home Bargains, Argos and Matalan, as well as a fantastic collection of F&B and independent retailers.
St Johns is located just metres from Lime Street Station, which sees nearly 20 million passengers every year, and is adjacent to the city’s busiest bus station – Queen Square. A 625-space car park adds further convenience for visitors, making it easy to access the new XF Gym.
The transformation of this former Wilko store into an exciting new fitness hub reflects how the scheme is changing to meet the needs of customers, visitors and workers.
Work will begin immediately to create this amazing new facility which is set to open in the autumn of 2025.
Laurence Benson, CEO at XF Gym commented:
“XF Gym is thrilled to bring its unique fitness experience to the heart of Liverpool – a city built on ambition, resilience, and unbreakable community spirit—values that define XF Gym. St. Johns Shopping Centre is the perfect home for our expansion. With its central location and excellent transport connections, we’re making world-class training facilities, market-leading wellness spaces, and a supportive community more accessible than ever.
“XF Gym isn’t just a place to train—we are a movement. And we can’t wait to help every member thrive.”
Neil Ashcroft, Centre Director at St Johns Shopping Centre, commented:
“With an unbeatable location, over one million visitors per month and a broad mix of retailers and leisure offerings, St Johns Shopping Centre is the perfect home for growing, innovative businesses like XF Gym. We share their sense of community, and I am sure Liverpool’s residents, shoppers and workers will love the new gym experience they offer.”
Mark Harvey, Executive Director at RivingtonHark, commented:
“We are delighted to partner with XF Gym to bring a fresh, affordable fitness option to Liverpool, this will be a fantastic addition to St Johns Shopping Centre and further enhance the offer available to our visitors.”
Key Discussions at MIPIM
Shaping City Identities through Iconic Landmarks
Mark Williams was delighted to be joined by Remi Smith, Bill Addy, Tariq Albassam, and Kate Hart at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority stand this morning, where he had the opportunity to discuss how iconic landmarks such as St. John’s Beacon play a vital role in shaping city identities. These landmarks are not only central to driving regeneration and investment but also contribute to cultural transformation within the region.
Mark shared valuable insights drawn from our extensive regeneration experience in major UK cities, including Liverpool, Newcastle, and London. He emphasized the importance of unlocking the potential of heritage assets, promoting sustainable urban transformation, and enhancing public-private sector collaboration to maximize opportunities in these dynamic urban landscapes.
The panel discussion formed part of the international launch of St. John’s Beacon, one of the key highlights at this year’s MIPIM. As part of our ongoing efforts to unlock leasing opportunities for this landmark asset, we are excited to share that St. John’s Beacon now offers 7,500 sq ft of prime space at its peak—an exceptional opportunity for businesses and occupiers looking to elevate their brand and secure a place on Liverpool’s iconic skyline.
We look forward to connecting with potential tenants who are ready to make their mark in this prime location.
Rochdale Riverside "thrives at five"
Rochdale Riverside Celebrates Fifth Anniversary with New Openings and Continued Success
As it nears its fifth anniversary—having first opened amid the challenges of the COVID outbreak—Rochdale Riverside continues to flourish. The arrival of two well-known brands, Holland & Barrett and Taco Bell, at the scheme further cements its position as the town’s prime retail and leisure destination.
The popular Mexican-inspired food chain Taco Bell has opened a 3,128 sq. ft. restaurant, enhancing Rochdale Riverside’s vibrant dining scene, neighbouring existing leisure anchors REEL Cinema and Putt & Play (formerly Puttstars).
Meanwhile, the UK’s leading health and wellness retailer Holland & Barrett has launched a 1,602 sq. ft. store, catering to the growing demand for high-quality health products.
Alongside the new arrivals, existing retailers at Rochdale Riverside are seeing success which has led to Greggs upsizing its store, highlighting the centre’s strong performance. With only one vacant unit remaining, the scheme continues to attract high-profile brands, driving footfall and car park usage, which are both out performing national benchmarks.
The 220,000 sq. ft. open-air shopping and leisure destination, which includes a 527-space car park, is home to leading retailers including M&S, Next, H&M, River Island, Boots, and JD Sports. The addition of Taco Bell and Holland & Barrett reflects the continued confidence in Rochdale Riverside as a thriving hub for shoppers and visitors.
Mark Harvey, Executive Director at RivingtonHark, commented:
‘These new lettings alongside our existing tenants expanding their spaces, have ensured Riverside has a strong line up to suit all our shoppers. Rochdale Riverside’s momentum continues as it shapes itself into a diverse destination, bringing together leading retailers, restaurants and leisure attractions in the heart of the town centre”.
RivingtonHark Have Moved
RivingtonHark Have Moved! New Office Location In Covent Garden
We are excited to announce that we’ve officially relocated our offices to a new space in the heart of London!
Our new address is:-
15 Bedford Street,
London
WC2E 9HE
RivingtonHark 25 Year Anniversary Celebrations
Reflections on our recent anniversary celebrations at The Century Club in Soho.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us to mark this milestone: 25 years of shaping the future of UK towns and cities.
It was a privilege to celebrate alongside our incredible partners, clients, colleagues and original founders Rob Cossey and David Henderson- Williams. It was a great evening to reflect on the substantial achievements of the past and look forward to a busy future curating, transforming, and future-proofing our urban places.
Edutainment in Shopping Centres
Edutainment: Transforming Shopping Centres into Family-Friendly Destinations
Nothing ruins a family shopping trip quicker that a grumpy child who wants to go home. Not every child loves a day out shopping for new school shoes or watching mum and dad look at new phone cases.
Finding different ways to attract and keep young families entertained while they are shopping in one of our schemes is an important objective for us. If we find the right solutions this can help increase footfall, extend shopping trips and enhance the customer experience.
We have found three great operators to work with and brought in Playbox, Kidsbury Play and Wonder to our centres in Enfield, Tunbridge Wells and Fareham respectively.
These businesses are focused on the educational development of children (up to the age of 7) through role play. They create worlds of imagination for children to explore and have fun – all while under the watchful eye of the parents as they relax with a well earned coffee from the in-house cafes.
The customer response to these openings has been fantastic and, who knows, the fond childhood memories these play spaces create may just bring the adults of the future back for more shopping and days out with their own little ones.
RivingtonHark adds mandates and team members for next era of growth
The asset and development manager marks 25 years in business with expansion into new areas.
For 25 years, we have been at the forefront of revitalising town and city centres across the UK. From unlocking value in struggling assets to delivering major regeneration projects, our expertise has helped curate, evolve, and future-proof the places where people live, work, and spend time.
Since the merger of Rivington (est. 2014) and Hark (est. 1999) five years ago, we have grown into the UK’s leading independent town and city centre regeneration specialist, delivering expert development, asset management, and strategic investment advice across a £1bn+ portfolio.
We’ve built and invested £500m+ since COVID in places including Chester, Swansea, Liverpool, Leeds, Romford, and Enfield. We are currently active in 13 towns and cities, advising on 1m+ sq. ft. of regeneration and managing eight shopping centre assets. We are advising local authorities, such as Newcastle, Shrewsbury, and Fareham, helping them unlock complex regeneration challenges.
Looking ahead, we’ve been appointed to regenerate over 600,000 sq. ft. of shopping centres in Merthyr Tydfil and Tunbridge Wells, repurposing these spaces for the future. Our public sector expertise has also been recognised with our selection to the NHS Property Services development management framework.
To celebrate this milestone, David Lewis and Mark Williams sat down with Jessica Middleton Pugh at Greenstreet News to discuss our latest mandates and the future of urban regeneration. Click here to read more: https://greenstreetnews.com/article/rivingtonhark-adds-mandates-and-team-members-for-next-era-of-growth/?mc_cid=c6a663b67d
A huge thank you to our team, partners, and clients for being part of this journey. From arenas to markets, homes to office hubs, cinemas to public parks, we’re proud to be leading the way in redefining UK towns and cities. With unrivalled expertise, a proven track record, and capital capability, we’re ready for the next 25 years.
