Salix picks construction partners

Five regional construction firms have been named as the main contractors for Salix Homes’ £38m investment programme, to be delivered over the next three years.

Salix owns more than 8,300 homes across Salford and has selected Oldham firm Emanuel Whittaker, two Rochdale firms in Jackson Jackson & Sons and Casey Group, Wigan-based A Connolly and Warrington’s Bell Group to lead an improvement programme taking in 2,900 homes across the city.

As part of the investment programme major refurbishment work will take place at aging tower blocks Canon Green Court in Broughton and Fitzwarren Court and Albion Towers in Pendleton. In total, 720 homes will get new kitchens, 660 new bathrooms, 700 will be fitted with new windows and around 1,200 homes will have new doors fitted.

The three-year investment programme is the second phase of a £75m project, which will see all Salix Homes properties reach the Decent Homes standard by 2020.

Lee Sugden, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: “Our chosen contractors all have an excellent track record, 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, so for every £1m invested, two apprenticeships for local people will be created. We are currently recruiting for the apprenticeship positions.”

This will be the third time Emanuel Whittaker has worked with Salix and the second such appointment for A Connolly.