North West

Praise for contractors on superb new care centre scheme

Millbrook FrontA brand new state of the art care centre has just been completed in a development which has produced a striking building incorporating the front facade and side gables of the Victorian former St James Primary School which previously occupied the site in Millbrook, Tameside.

The scheme was carried out for Meridian Healthcare. Main Contractors were HH Smith & Sons who have been praised for their performance on the project by Mr Tony Greenhalgh of Quadrant ABS, who provided architectural services for the scheme. “HH Smith & Son did a fabulous job. I would highly recommend them” he said.

The development, designed to provide hotel style residential accommodation, included the demolition of the remainder of the former school building, which was constructed in 1847.

In addition to the main building with the retained facade, the development included the construction of a single storey link connecting the main building to a further two storey new building with basement to the rear. This design has resulted from the fact that the project is within a conservation area and the construction of the link building allows the new two storey building to be set sufficiently far back so as not to detract from the architecturally significant retained facade of the main building.Millbrook Front

The main building has been re-roofed using the original slates to the front elevation, with matching reclaimed slates to the rear.

The new link and two storey building feature external elevations in stone with hardwood sliding sash windows throughout and an artificial slate covered pitched tiled roof

The Millbrook care centre has 46 large single bedrooms, all over 12 square metres and all with full en suite facilities with walk in showers.  All rooms are tastefully decorated, fully furnished and finished with high quality carpets, curtains and bedding, with enough space for personal belongings. The development also includes specialist bathing and showering facilities.Millbrook interiors

A variety of communal areas are also provided, including an attractive reception area, a sun lounge with folding patio doors leading onto secure landscaped gardens, as well as a light and spacious lounge and dining room divided by a 2.4 m high partition over which is a 5.5 m high vaulted ceiling. Five original Queen Post trusses have been refurbished and retained to form a feature within the lounge. Other facilities include further lounges, a cinema room, a family room, a kitchen, laundry, staff facilities, a hairdressing salon and nail bar.

External works include the creation of a 13-space car park to the front apron of the development as well as a new egress road to one side of the scheme. South facing landscaped gardens have also been created.Millbrook interiors

The Millbrook development forms part of a wider investment programme across the group. Meridian plan to add over 400 new beds to the existing 1338 bed stock in the next four years through development and acquisition.  In the medium term, Meridian have earmarked £12m for further investment within the Tameside area alone.

Meridian Healthcare is an independent provider of care services. The company strive to improve the quality of life of older people through the provision of excellent long term care services and accommodation.Millbrook interiors

Meridian Healthcare’s services are influenced by their 1300+ residents, their families, day care users, health professionals and staff.  A continual programme of improvements to both  facilities and services reflects the company’s goal to provide the best possible care and accommodation for residents. Meridian employs over 1200 people across 28 sites.

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