Sandwell partnership completes 10,000th kitchen refurbishment

The Sandwell Decent Homes Partnership has completed its 10,000th kitchen refurbishment this month as part of the £425million Government Decent Homes Programme it is rolling out across the borough in partnership with Sandwell Homes.

The kitchens have been refurbished under the low-rise stream of Decent Homes work and the company has spent £31.5million on kitchens alone since May 2005.

Simon Parry, head of partnership management for Sandwell Homes said: “Today, with a busy urban lifestyle, customers require efficient work spaces, and recipients of the Decent Homes improvements have benefited with the removal of walls to enlarge small kitchens, partial or full plastering of walls and ceilings, a choice of kitchen doors, floor tiles, worktops and wall tiles as well as wallpapers or paints, and even lever taps for those unable to use a standard tap.

“Significantly, with the cost of domestic technology now at relatively affordable rates, today’s kitchens require thought as to where white appliances i.e. cookers, dishwashers, washing machines, microwaves etc will be included and the Partnership go that extra mile, tailoring kitchens to meet their customer’s needs.”

Mrs Elcock, from Albright Road, Smethwick, was the 10,000th tenant to receive her kitchen upgrade. She said: “I love my new kitchen, the Sandwell Decent Homes Partnership has done a really professional job. The kitchen is now larger than it was before, it has been completely rewired, and also has new tiles, flooring and radiators.”

The Sandwell Decent Homes Partnership is made up of Sandwell Homes, Taylor Woodrow, Connaught Partnerships, Wates Living Space, Lovell Partnerships, Thomas Vale Construction, Sandwell MBC Urban Design, and Rider Levett Bucknall.

Mrs Elcock celebrates her new kitchen, which was the 10,000th one completed so far.