Next
Simpson has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Next, delivering projects across the UK for many years, some of these being undertaken in live shopping centres. Our work includes schemes in prominent retail locations such as Leeds White Rose, Liverpool, Manchester’s Arndale Centre and the Bull Ring in Birmingham. These projects typically involve structural alterations, installation and refurbishment of vertical movement, shopfront installations and full interior fit-outs.
Our largest scheme to date was at the Arndale Centre in Central Manchester, where we carried out a full refurbishment across four floors, increasing the trading area by 60%. The works included the structural formation of a new atrium, installation of an 8-metre high curved shopfront, relocation of ten escalators, and a full re-fit incorporating concessions such as Rockar, Costa Coffee and Gino D’Acampo.
We more recently reconfigured the Next store within the busy Bull Ring Centre to reduce the trading area. Works included a full strip-out across three floors, fire-stopping, lift reconfiguration, separation of services, sprinkler installation, new back-of-house facilities, and re-lamination of till units carried out in-house joinery workshop.
As part of the scheme, a new Bath and Body Works was incorporated within the store, including all M&E works, a branded shopfront, bespoke joinery and internal signage.
The store remained operational throughout the works. We liaised closely with Centre Management to ensure the programme was carefully planned and delivered without impacting the Centre’s day-to-day operations.
Recommended Projects
Sainsbury's
Our relationship with Sainsbury’s began in 2016, following their acquisition of Argos. Having worked with Argos since 1993, we were able to proactively share our knowledge and experience of the Argos estate with Sainsbury’s and their other main contractors. This collaboration strengthened our partnership, and we are now proud to be recognised as one of their Platinum suppliers, successfully delivering projects across their multiple workstreams.
Our current role focuses on supporting the development of Sainsbury’s national property portfolio and helping to enhance their multi-brand vision through new store fit-outs, refurbishments and an ongoing programme of initiative-led roll-out works.
Key initiatives we’ve been involved in include:
- Store-in-Store rollouts.
- Local Fulfilment Centres
- Refrigeration Refurbishment Schemes
- Carbon neutral initiatives
- Brand standard upgrades
In 2025 we delivered Sainsbury's Witney, a new concept store. This involved a full remodel of the existing superstore, including external façade and roof repairs, and the creation of additional space to accommodate Argos, Starbucks and Timpsons. Refrigeration and mechanical plant systems were replaced, with new cold rooms installed to support Sainsbury’s drive towards net zero. The Works were carefully phased to minimise disruption, with the store only closing for the final two weeks to allow for fridge and freezer replacements and restocking ahead of store launch.
Since Witney, we have also completed their newest flagship superstore at Wynyard, Billingham. The impressive 48,330 sq. ft. store has been built to Sainsbury’s latest “MBS” specification, setting a new benchmark for quality and sustainability. featuring latest design, energy-efficient standards, and advanced operational features, this store represents the very best of Sainsbury’s retail experience.
Bradford Arts Centre
Formally known as ‘Kala Sangam’, Simpson completed the redevelopment of the newly named ‘Bradford Arts Centre’.
The 75 week program has seen an extensive reconfiguration and upgrade to the existing building facilities creating a state-of-the-art, space for artists, audiences and businesses, reconnecting the building and arts centre to the local community.
The project has seen the creation of a new theatre, five dance studios, a new central staircase and a permanent home for volunteer-led community radio station Bradford Community Broadcasting (BCB).
The introduction of a new entrance, two new lifts and a dedicated changing place facility now ensures the building is fully accessible for the first time in its 140-year history.
Endsleigh Convent
Built in the late 1800s, Endsleigh Convent in Filey served as a convent and holiday retreat for the Sisters of Mercy of the Middlesbrough Diocese.
The goal was to sensitively redevelop the historic structure into five high-end residential apartments, preserving its architectural character while introducing modern functionality and comfort. The project aimed to honour the building’s heritage while adapting it for contemporary coastal living.
The development has seen
- Internal remodelling carried out across all floors to create 5 spacious, open-plan apartments.
- Extensive structural works to support the new layouts and to accommodate a platform lift serving all levels.
- The former chapel underwent a thoughtful extension, transforming it into a unique residence with “upside-down” living:
The redevelopment of Endsleigh Convent successfully blends heritage preservation with modern design, creating a collection of distinctive homes that respect the building’s past while embracing its future. The project stands as a model for adaptive reuse in a sensitive coastal setting.
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