Hobson & Porter, Innovation based on tradition

Homes to refurbish

A contract worth over £4 million to refurbish hundreds of privately-owned homes in Newington and St. Andrew's has been awarded to Hull-based company Hobson and Porter.

The work is part of a £40 million regeneration programme being delivered by Gateway, the partnership set up to revive the housing market and reverse the city's declining population.

Under the scheme 370 homes on Plane Street, Sandringham Street and St. George's Road will receive an external facelift. Subject to surveys, each property will benefit from work ranging from new roofs, windows, doors and boundary walls to the reinstatement of bay windows.

Residents are being offered a choice of windows and doors, and have also been asked to vote for their preferred option of boundary wall.

The improvements are designed to improve the quality of the housing and the look of the whole street, bringing back some of the original Victorian character and helping to boost confidence in the area.

Acting Chief Executive of Gateway, Janet Whipps, said: "This scheme will have a major impact on the image and desirability of the whole area and we are delighted to be working with a local company to make it happen".

"Hobson and Porter won the contract in the face of intense competition, clearly demonstrating their strengths in terms of quality, value for money and customer care".

Dave Watson, Managing Director of Hobson and Porter said: "This is an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate that a local company can successfully deliver a major regeneration scheme in Hull. We are delighted to be part of the team and look forward to starting the work".

The company expect to be on site in May and to have completed the work in all three streets by April 2008.