THE completion of the final phase of a £2.2 million housing makeover has enabled the customers to move back home to a world of difference

Halton Housing Trust started renovating the 39 houses in Bankfield Road last year, spending an average of £60,000 each home.

Now the building work is complete the final residents have moved back in.  This included Bob, 73, and Barbara Doran, 68, who moved out of their home of 27 years in October to allow the renovations to be completed.

“It’s really got the wow factor when you walk in,” said great-grandmother Barbara.

“I’ve not got used to it yet though, so I keep going the wrong way to get to my fridge freezer.”

The work carried out on driver Bob and checkout operator Barbara’s home included a complete reorganisation of the downstairs area to create a spacious kitchen/dining room, re-plastering all the walls and installing double glazing, a new bathroom suite and new central heating.

The front and rear elevations were completely restructured so the houses have a refreshed new look.

Barbara, who moved back home on Thursday, February 3, added: “I was really happy to get back to my ‘new’ home and see all my lovely neighbours – one of whom brought us a bottle of champagne to celebrate our return.”

While renovation works were carried out residents were moved into other Halton Housing Trust properties nearby.

Noel Sharpe, Director of Customer Services at the Trust, said: “It is fantastic to be able to see  the last customers to benefit from these renovations moving back in and the impact it has made upon their lives.

“We had originally intended to undertake a traditional Decent Homes refurbishment programme on these homes but from discussions with the customers who were living there it became apparent that we could achieve so much more than this. 
“These improvements mean our residents will be able to enjoy their homes for many more years to come.  To see the impact this work has made makes you appreciate what we are in business for.”