Green housing specialist secures ERDF cash

Didsbury-based housing retrofit energy consultancy Place First has secured equity investment and loan facilities from the North West Fund.

The investment, provided through sub-fund, North West Fund for Energy & Environmental, managed by CT Investment Partners, will be used to fund the growth of the business in two of its key markets, remodelling rundown neighbourhoods and empty homes to create affordable housing and retrofitting renewable energy in the social housing sector.

Place First was founded in 2009 following a management buyout from Tribal Group.

David Smith-Milne, owner of Place First, said: "The partnership with The North West Fund and CT Investment Partners is an important step in the growth of our business. Working together, our objective is to establish Place First as the partner of choice for public organisations that need ideas and funding to unlock difficult regeneration and energy projects.

"The managerial support from CT Investment Partners will be extremely valuable in the expansion of our business. Demand for our services is extremely high at the moment. The Government's focus on the supply of affordable housing, tackling empty homes and improving domestic energy efficiency in existing housing stock places us in a really strong position to grow."

Place First is the 100thcompany to receive funding from the North West Fund and takes the amount invested since December 2010 to almost £30m. The funding is provided jointly by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Investment Bank.