Housing refurbishment specialist Lovell teamed up with North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) recently to deliver a free kitchen makeover at a community centre in Coalville, Leicestershire, that was in need of modernisation.
During a total transformation of the outdated facilities at the Greenhill Community Shop in Cropston Drive, the kitchen was completely redesigned and refitted to create a bigger and more accessible, open-plan space. The Lovell team carried out structural work to change the layout and installed new worktops, cupboards, tiles and flooring as well as replastering and redecorating the room and providing a new rear door. They also created a new WC accessible for disabled people.
All of the building work, materials and new kitchen were provided free of charge by Lovell through the company’s commitment to giving back to the communities in which it works.
A special ribbon-cutting event brought together residents, Lovell and NWLDC representatives to celebrate and officially ‘open’ the enhanced facilities. The new-look kitchen will enable a wider range of people to use the facility as well as allowing community groups meeting at the centre to serve hot food and host activities such as cookery and life skills classes.
Pictured above are representatives from Lovell, North West Leicestershire District Council and Greenhill Tenants and Residents Association in the upgraded kitchen area.
Jeanette Collins, Chair of the Greenhill Tenants and Residents Association, commented: “It’s fantastic for us. The whole space is now so much bigger and we have a new kitchen with a brand-new cooker, fridge and freezer. It will allow us to do much more now in a modern and welcoming building. We want to say a big thank you to Lovell — who have done a brilliant job with all the work — and NWLDC for their support in making this happen.”
The makeover was carried out as part of Lovell’s drive to create a lasting legacy of benefits in the areas where it undertakes housing refurbishment and construction projects. Over the past five years, the company has been working with NWLDC to deliver the council’s major improvement programme for its housing stock. Set to finish this summer, the scheme has included the installation of new kitchens, bathrooms, boilers, doors and windows; central heating upgrades, electrical rewiring and roof replacement work.
Lovell Regional Refurbishment Director Carl Yale said: “Our team are all delighted that residents are so pleased with the improvements to the Greenhill community centre. We trust that the extensive refurbishment works to the community centre will make a difference and that local people enjoy using the new facilities. It’s particularly rewarding to have been able to work with the community and the council to give something back and show our gratitude by providing the centre with a more modern kitchen, new accessible toilet and much-needed storage space.”
Glyn Jones, Director of Housing at North West Leicestershire District Council, added: “We are delighted to have worked with Lovell and the Greenhill Tenants and Residents Association to improve this community facility.
“The upgrade will benefit the entire community, and creates a much improved and larger space for both young and old to use. We hope this encourages more people from Greenhill to enjoy the available activities and events on offer at the hub.”
