Emanuel Whittaker secures share of Salix Homes multi-million pound investment plan

Feb 19, 2015

Emanuel Whittaker have been awarded a share of a multi-million pound contract to transform social housing in Salford.

Salix Homes, which manages 8,500 homes across central Salford, has announced its three principal contractors to deliver its £22m investment programme over the next two years

Greater Manchester-based firms Emanuel Whittaker, Seddon and A.Connolly Ltd, have been named as the three main contractors to lead the ambitious improvement programme to 2,200 homes across the city.

As part of the investment scheme 1,100 homes will get new kitchens, 600 will get new bathrooms, 850 will get new windows and 800 will get new doors.

All three firms have been handed an equal share of the contract with Emanuel Whittaker named as the main contractor for the ambitious revamp at Canon Green Court in Broughton, which will undergo a £2.9m makeover; while A.Connolly Ltd, based in Wigan, will lead the improvements on more than 300 homes on the South Ordsall Estate and the Gerald Road Estate in Charlestown, and  Seddon, which has offices based in Bolton, taking the lead on the £7m transformation of ageing tower block trio Mulberry, Magnolia and Sycamore Court on Pendleton’s Broadwalk Estate.

The two-year investment programme is the first phase of a £75million project over the next five years made possible thanks to tenants voting to transfer ownership of their homes from Salford City Council to Salix Homes.

Lee Sugden, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: “We are pleased to announce the appointment of our three principal contractors to work alongside Salix Homes to deliver our significant investment plans for Salford.

“We have worked very closely with our tenants throughout the procurement process. Our chosen contractors all have an excellent track record and consistently high levels of customer satisfaction, so we are confident they will help us deliver on our promise to create the homes and communities that the people of this great city deserve.

“It is a priority for Salix Homes that every contract should have a wider, positive impact on the community, which is why for every £1m invested; our contractors will guarantee to create two apprenticeships for local people.”

The improvement scheme is the continuation of a major programme to improve all 8,500 homes currently managed by Salix Homes and bring every property up to the Government’s Decent Homes standard by 2020.

John Gallaher, Emanuel Whittaker contracts director, added:  “We have enjoyed a long and mutually rewarding relationship with Salix Homes and so we are particularly pleased to be working together again in the future.  This contract also secures employment and training opportunities for our teams in Salford.”

The transfer of homes from the council to Salix Homes is expected the take place at the end of March, and the first phase of improvement work will begin in spring.

£11m Tower Transformation Complete

Feb 10, 2015

Emanuel Whittaker have now completed the £11m scheme to upgrade five ageing Salford tower blocks..

Emanuel Whittaker carried out the four-year project to redevelop the high rise blocks in the heart of the city on behalf of  social housing provider Salix Home

Emanuel Whittaker have now completed an £11m scheme to regenerate five neighbouring tower blocks in the Greengate area of Salford.

Emanuel Whittaker carried out the three-year project to redevelop the high rise blocks in the heart of the city on behalf of  social housing provider Salix Homes, as part of the Procure Plus Installers Framework.

A dramatic transformation of Greyfriar Court and Riverbank and Newbank Towers has just finished, completing the final piece in the jigsaw of the tower block transformation.

Last year, work was completed at White Friar Court, and in summer 2013 the finishing touches were made to Blackfriar Court, completely transforming the blocks, which were all built during the 1960s.

In total, 447 flats have been completely refurbished and fitted with new kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows and heating systems.

The recent completion of £6.6 million worth of improvements at Riverbank and Newbank Towers has seen the two 16-storey blocks undergo a dramatic facelift. Both buildings have been fully rendered, cladded and painted in striking colours chosen by the residents.

Mark Foster, head of property services at Salix Homes, said: “This significant investment in the Greengate area of Salford has totally transformed these five landmark buildings into vibrant, modern homes fit for the 21^st century.

“Salix Homes is committed to making a difference to our tenants’ homes, lives and communities and this regeneration project is testament to that.  These blocks form an iconic part of the Salford skyline and now they can stand proud for generations to come.

“This significant investment provides a bold statement of our aspiration to make a difference to not only our tenants’ lives, but to the city of Salford, and thanks to residents voting to transfer their homes from the council to us, we can ensure all our tenants have modern, energy efficient homes, like these fantastic properties in Greengate.”

Emanuel Whittaker Contracts Director, John Gallagher is justifiably proud of the project, and the high praise that residents have given the site teams that delivered the works, “We are very proud to have played such a pivotal role in the regeneration of this area. Our teams have been working alongside Salix Homes tenants for several years and during that time we have developed some great relationships.

This investment by Salix Homes demonstrates how  the right resources can transform tired tower blocks into homes that residents can be proud of – inside and out.”

Oldham apprentices take the lead

May 23, 2014

Emanuel Whittaker apprentices have become the first in the country to enrol on a new qualification to support the construction industry.

The External Wall Insulation (NVQ Level 3) has been launched by North West based regeneration consortium Procure Plus which has worked with Trinity Business Training Group, representatives from housing provider Salix Homes and the awarding body, GQA, to develop the criteria for the qualification before receiving approval from Ofqual.

Apprentices Matt Casey, 22, and Rachel Howarth, 24, have been employed by Emanuel Whittaker for several years and according to Lee Bradbury, Health, Safety and Environment Manager for the company, both are great representatives of our award winning apprenticeship scheme.

“Rachel and Matt are passionate about their work and have always been committed to their training,” he said.  “We are thrilled they are the first in the country to take advantage of this qualification which meets industry demand for the supply of insulation that reduces carbon emissions.  The qualification will play a significant part in their career progression.”

Matt and Rachel have already completed Level 1 and 2 of the qualification and have been honing their skills on tower blocks across Salford with social housing provider Salix Homes as part of its multi-million pound Decent Homes improvement programme.

Colin Goodall, investment delivery manager at Salix Homes (pictured back right), said: “We are carrying out major refurbishments at our tower blocks, but we initially found there was a real skills shortage and we struggled to find tradesman who were qualified in external wall insulation, which is essential to make people’s homes energy efficient.

“We worked with our partners to launch this new qualification and generate a workforce of home-grown talent who could deliver this specialist skill. Matt and Rachel were among the first cohort of apprentices and I’m delighted they are now making history and going on to complete the next level of this much-needed qualification.”

The scheme is expected to be rolled out nationally due to demand from contractors and training providers for higher level insulation qualifications.

Mark Wilson (pictured front middle) is responsible for apprentice and trainee development at Procure Plus.  He said:  “It is a true achievement to have created this new qualification in partnership with our members that will support the construction industry as well as develop new career opportunities for qualified operatives in the construction sector.”

Emanuel Whittaker has a pool of apprentices engaged through its relationship with Procure Plus and has won several awards because of its commitment to training young people.  In its 175 year history the company has supported over 700 apprentices.

Emanuel Whittaker give community centre a facelift

Feb 10, 2014

Emanuel Whittaker is renowned for its work in the community and so when our client City West Housing Trust was looking for help to spruce up a local community centre, they approached us for help.

Terry Kidman, Contracts Manager, said:  “Our team were already working on the Brookhouse Estate in Eccles refurbishing City West properties and so we were happy to provide assistance to the local community.  The first thing we had to do was to assess just what needed to be done.”

The Brookhouse Community Centre is owned by City West and is the venue for numerous community activities – many of them theatrical.

The kitchen and toilets in particular had seen better days.

“We took out the old kitchen units and replaced them with new ones which were kindly donated by Manhattan Kitchens,” said Terry.  “We also decided to utilise a ‘dead’ space near the kitchen and put in cupboards and units to provide extra storage facilities and more room for food preparation. In the toilets we provided new flooring and repainted them which really made a difference.”

The £6,500 facelift was completed within a week and with minimum fuss or disruption to the numerous activities that take place within the Centre.

Fiona Canavan who regularly attends the Centre said:  “We were so pleased that Emanuel Whittaker was able to help.

“The Centre is a much loved and well used community resource and as a result it was looking a little tired.  Now the renovated kitchen and toilets look as good as new and will no doubt last us for many years to come.”

Martyn Hague, Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods at City West, said: “The community centre is a focal point for customers in the area and we are delighted Emanuel Whittaker were able to help with the improvement works.

“The feedback from our customers has been fantastic and we hope they can continue to enjoy the many events that bring the community together.”

Salix Homes residents raise a cup to refurbished homes

Nov 6, 2013

Residents living in sheltered accommodation are celebrating the completion of major improvement works at their homes.

For the past six months, we have been working with Salix Homes to overhaul 45 homes at the Broomedge sheltered housing complex in Broughton, Salford.

The £500,000 improvement scheme has seen 29 homes in the main building and a further 16 cottage flats overhauled to bring them up to the government’s Decent Homes standard. The flats, which were built during the 1960s and cater for elderly residents, have been completely rewired and fitted with new kitchens, bathroom and doors. The communal lounge was also given a makeover and the laundry room has been refurbished.

Externally, the main building has been cladded to give it a fresh, new look and the old roof has been replaced. Green-fingered residents also lent a hand to makeover the communal gardens planting new plants and trees including a ‘Salix’ tree in honour of Salix Homes.

Residents Carole and Charles Wood are thrilled with their new-look home. Carole said: “I feel like I have been given a new lease of life, everything is now practical and simple. We are so delighted and proud of our new kitchen and bathroom.”

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: “Salix Homes is committed to improving homes and communities in Salford now and into the future and we’ve been delighted to work alongside our contractors Emanuel Whittaker to bring a new lease of life to these homes which were in dire need of upgrading.

“This investment has made an enormous difference to our tenants’ quality of life and we are proud to be able to provide them with modern and desirable homes which are comfortable and economical to run.

“We appreciate the patience of our tenants during the refurbishment work, but we know they are as pleased as we are with the results, which is testament to all the hard work that’s been put in.”

As the majority of the tenants are elderly, Salix Homes and Emanuel Whittaker have worked closely with residents to ensure minimum disruption.

Paul Robinson, site manager at Emanuel Whittaker, said: “The majority of tenants living here have benefited not only from work on their own individual flats but also from improvements to the communal areas.

“As many tenants are elderly and some quite frail we have been very careful to ensure that we worked closely with them or their families to keep stress levels to a minimum and with satisfaction levels running at 100%, I think we can confidently say we have succeeded.”

Mike Copple, chairman of the Broomedge Residents Association, has been impressed with the standard of service. He said: “Emanuel Whittaker staff have gone more than the extra mile in ensuring as far as possible that inconvenience to the residents was minimised and where issues arose they were dealt with in a caring and sensitive manner.”

To celebrate the end of work, residents enjoyed a tea party in their new and improved communal lounge.

Garry Holt, resident liaison officer with Emanuel Whittaker added: “The tenants are a great bunch and we will be sorry to leave. The tea party is our way of saying thanks for having us. It’s been lovely to see so many people turn up to say goodbye.”