West End Village Starts On-Site
Stoke-based Staffordshire Housing Association held an event on Monday to celebrate the start-on-site of the new housing development, West End Village, and the regeneration of Stoke town.
Speakers from the project partners will include Paul Spooner, Regional Director of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), and Hardial Bhogal, director of RENEW North Staffordshire.
Also at the event was local entertainer and historian Ray Johnson, who talked about the area's unique history. This was followed by an animated film of the development by local artist Rob Pointon and photographer Karen Sale.
Due for completion in early 2011, West End Village, designed by architects Hulme Upright, will be a 100 apartment complex with a variety of communal facilities including a gym, therapy suite, restaurant, bar, hairdressing salon and general store.
Diane Lea, Chief Executive of Staffordshire Housing Association, says, 'The start of this development will not only bring much-needed housing but will also play a big part in the start of the regeneration of Stoke town. During the building phase we expect to provide around 30 training places for local people, and once the village is complete there will be a variety of jobs on offer.'