Transformation of the Brunswick neighbourhood in Manchester is now ten years into its 25-year masterplan and the consortium behind the £106m programme have come together with local residents to celebrate this significant achievement.
S4B has embarked on a year-long series of celebratory activities taking place throughout 2024, not only to mark the milestone but also as a thank you to customers, colleagues and partners who have been involved along the way and to highlight just how far things have progressed in just a decade.
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “The Brunswick PFI – led by S4B – is a good example of holistic estate regeneration. The bricks and mortar investment has seen hundreds of new and refurbished, and more energy efficient, homes made available for local people – including 60 extra care homes for social rent for older people in Brunswick Village.
“But we are also seeing the investment necessary to weave the fabric of a successful, sustainable community. New shops, community spaces, health centre, a new school, an improved and expanded park, improved public realm with more trees, financial support for residents and new job opportunities that have seen 350 local people into work or training roles.
“These are the ingredients for a good regeneration programme. Not just the physical buildings, but also the social investment that makes Brunswick an attractive and great place to live.”
S4B neighbourhood and PFI Contract Manager, Ross Hemmings, said:” Everyone has played a vital role in helping us achieve this milestone so we thought it was only right to include everyone in the celebrations. From the partners and colleagues who have delivered the project, to customers both old and new who have lives through the building work to now reaping the rewards of the results.
“We would like to thank everyone for their support and commitment while we worked through the programme. Everyone has come together in true community spirit and we are now seeing the fantastic results of this unique partnership”.
The year kickstarted on the S4B’s birthday in January with a cupcake day and prize awarded to resident Callie Kerins for being the first customer through the door of the S4B housing office along with the launch of a 10-year celebration film.
Resident Callie Kerins (pictured with her Grandad above) said: “Family and community spirit is everything to me. I love the fact I have been able to stay living in Brunswick next to my family and friends. The development works have not affected that and enabled us all to stay living together.
“There is a true sense of community spirit and we are not only keeping our old friendships but building new ones”.
The 2024 celebrations continue with the next steps being a cinema style celebration event when all customers and residents will be invited to come along and enjoy the show complete with popcorn and ice-cream! There will also be more for customers to enjoy as the year closes such as Halloween, Guy Fawkes and Christmas events bringing the year of celebration to a sparkling close.