New-look tower block transforms Salford skyline

Sep 28, 2013

A £3 million refurbishment project at an ageing Salford tower block has been completed.

For the past 18 months social housing provider Salix Homes has been working alongside construction company Emanuel Whittaker to overhaul Floral Court in Higher Broughton.

The 14 storey high rise building, which was built in 1964, has been completely rendered, cladded and painted in striking shades of orange and white, totally transforming the once grey tower block.

Internally the 88 flats have been fitted with new doors, modern kitchens and bathrooms and have been either rewired or electrically upgraded. The roof of the building has also been replaced and the lifts have been upgraded.

A state-of-the-art Eco-Pod heating system, which uses solar thermal energy, has also been fitted to the roof, which will slash the building’s carbon footprint.
Salford based-housing provider Salix Homes was recently named by Salford Council as the chosen landlord to take ownership of the 8,500 council homes in Salford they currently manage in a proposed stock transfer.

This latest regeneration work forms part of a wider multi-million pound home improvement programme across Salford and the housing provider is promising to invest a further £700 million over the next 30 years if the stock transfer goes ahead.

Joe Willis, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: “This major investment at Floral Court marks a major milestone in our Decent Homes improvement programme and we are very proud to have worked alongside Emanuel Whittaker to provide our tenants with the modern, desirable and economical homes they deserve.

“Salix Homes is committed to providing high quality accommodation for the people of Salford now and into the future and this refurbishment project is testament to this. Floral Court has been completely transformed for the better and we are confident that these improvement works will make a huge difference to our tenants’ quality of life.”

During the refurbishment work, contractors uncovered a commemorative brick inscribed with 1964 – the date the block was built. To mark the completion of the project, a mural has been created at the entrance to the building with the original brick, alongside a 2013 inscribed brick.

Resident Kevin Petitt, 55 who has lived in the block for 12 years, was chosen to unveil the commemorative brick mural. He said: “The improvement work has made such a difference to my home. The new heating system is just marvellous; I haven’t even had to use my heating for the past three months because the building is so warm.

“I loved my home before, but I love it even more now – it’s the best place I’ve ever lived. I was very proud to unveil the brick mural because this place means a lot to me, it’s my home.”

Terry Kidman, contract manager for Emanuel Whittaker, added: “It’s been a pleasure to work with the Floral Court residents who have reported 100 per cent satisfaction with the work we have done on their individual flats and the communal areas of the block. Although we will be sad to go we are pleased to be leaving so many happy customers.”

Salix Homes also worked closely with social housing procurement consortium, Procure Plus, to deliver training opportunities for local residents during the refurbishment work.

Jackie Roach, operations manager at, Procure Plus, said: “By working together on large projects, such as Floral Court, we have been able to assist Salix Homes in identifying and bringing together its material and labour requirements across different projects, improving efficiencies and securing favourable costings.”

Emanuel Whittaker staff raise £1,000 a month, every month for a year

Aug 29, 2013

After a year of exhausting and imaginative fund-raising to celebrate its 175^th anniversary, staff at Emanuel Whittaker have announced the total money raised in the period was £12,009.17.  That equates to a thousand pounds a month, every month for a year!

Clive Newton, Managing Director said:  “With so many activities going on it has taken a while to get all the money in, but we are thrilled with the final count.  Our staff, clients, sub-contractors and friends and family have been incredibly generous and it’s been genuinely lovely to meet some of the people at The Christie Charity and Dr Kershaw’s hospice who will benefit from the money.”

To raise the cash Emanuel Whittaker staff were split into teams who between them all developed a vast array of fundraising initiatives including a car wash, making and selling handmade garden furniture and kitchen equipment, a sponsored weight loss, a sponsored silence, various sponsored walks, a bungee jump and a meditation evening as well as various sporting events including; football, cricket and golf.

The monies are to be divided between the two charities and the company has asked that The Christie funds are directed to the Young Oncology and Haematology and Transplant Unit.

“Emanuel Whittaker has invested a lot of effort into developing young people through our apprenticeship programme and we work with local schools and colleges to encourage young people into construction,” explains Clive Newton. “As a result of this relationship with young people we wanted to do something that specifically benefits them.”

The Christie currently has two specialist services, in need of refurbishment, however it has identified that it can deliver even greater results if the services are integrated, especially as approximately 50% of young cancer patients will have a haematological cancer (blood cancer). The Christie charity is therefore hoping to raise just over £10 million to build a new integrated treatment centre to replace the existing Young Oncology Unit (YOU) and Haematology and Transplant Unit (HTU).

Natalie Pike, Corporate Development Manager at The Christie Charity said:  ‘Everyone at The Christie is so grateful for the amazing support of Emanuel Whittaker, their staff and customers. The wonderful donation will be going towards our new Young Oncology Unit, which will help enable us to build a new world-class treatment centre for teenage cancer patents. The unit should be complete early next year and we will be inviting everyone who contributed to the opening ceremony.”

Over fifty per cent of the funds will be given to Oldham’s hospice. Dr Kershaw’s needs nearly £5,000 every day to be able to continue to operate its specialist services and maintain the outstanding standard of care.  Fundraiser Lisa Pearson said:  “We were so thrilled and proud be chosen as one of the nominated charities for Emanuel Whittaker’s anniversary fundraising year. As a local charity it is important for us to build and maintain links within our local community and Emanuel Whittaker’s approach to fundraising meant that we had plenty of opportunities to work with staff and suppliers.

“Dr Kershaw’s Hospice is extremely grateful for the company’s support, it costs over £1.75 million to run the hospice each year and the lion’s share of that funding comes from local companies, community groups and businesses. Without the support of people within our community we could not provide the vital services we do.”

Emanuel Whittaker’s 175^th anniversary celebrations have now concluded, however, many staff have enjoyed their fund-raising activities so much they intend to continue helping their favourite charities.

Director John Gallagher said:  “Where possible the company will continue to support staff in their efforts to raise money for good causes through either financial or practical support.

“We had no idea how much we could raise in 12 months and everyone involved has been staggered by the generosity of all our supporters.  We want to pass on our congratulations and thanks to all those involved.”

Tottington duo help mend broken hearts

Aug 19, 2013

With support from his partner, Lead  Resident Liaison Officer at Emanuel Whittaker,  Adam Berry, the two Tottington men set about raising money to support The British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) ” Mending Broken Hearts Appeal” which is raising awareness of heart failure and taking steps to find a cure through stem cell research.

Recently, with the help and support of friends and Adam’s colleagues at Emanuel Whittaker including Site Managers Mark Healey and Ian MCcune and Resident Liaison Officer Louise Langford a group of 16 took part in The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.  This gruelling walk takes in the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, usually in this order, and the challenge is to complete is under 12 hours!

Emanuel Whittaker sponsored the walk by providing £200 which was used to buy t-shirts and supplies to keep the team going and The Events Service helped organise the day. The team were also supported by R A Sidebottom Roofing Ltd, who donated £100.

Adam said:  “Most of our team were raising cash for BHF but one was raising cash for Verity, a charity for women suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and another for the MS Trust.  It was very hard going, blisters were a common theme but there was also lots of fun and games.

“I don’t think anything can really prepare you for the walk; you go through a whole range of emotions, from feeling like you can’t take another step to laughing out loud when somebody falls in a boggy patch.”

The team all agree they could not have completed the walk without the help of a support team which included Shaun and which gave the walkers lots of support and encouragement. All the walkers completed the challenge within the 12 hour time frame and in collaboration with other fundraisers for the Mending Broken Hearts Appeal, have raised £1271.05

Rukhsana Nabi from Emanuel Whittaker said:  “We are very proud of the staff that completed this walk.  The company is always happy to support its employees where possible and the team have raised a fantastic amount of money.”

You can still donate to the charity by clicking on this link http://www.justgiving.com/Adam-Berry1

A very sad and fond farewell to Peter

Jul 22, 2013

It was another sad day for Emanuel Whittaker as another long standing member of staff retired.

Site Manager, Peter Dransfield finally decided to hang up his hard hat and boots and retire after a remarkable 17 years with the company.

Peter celebrated his 65th birthday in April, but has decided to spend some more time with his family rather than carry on working.

Peter was a very popular member of staff and we’ll all miss him around the office and on site. But we know our clients and customers will miss him too.

“Peter always managed to win residents round with his warm personality and friendly approach” explained Managing Director, Clive Newton. “Peter epitomised the ‘Whittaker’s Way’. Always going the extra mile for our customers in everything he did. That’s why our clients always asked for him on their projects, and customers consistently gave him 100% in his customer satisfaction scores”.

We all wish Peter a very long, happy and healthy retirement.

Peter moves on to pastures new

Jul 4, 2013

Friends and colleagues gave a fond farewell to Peter Houghton who left the company on Friday 28th June.

After being employed with Emanuel Whittaker for 18 months as a Quantity Surveyor, Peter is moving to Bristol to be closer to his new wife’s family.

Despite his short time with the company, Peter has made a big impression, and will be missed by friends and colleagues throughout the business.