FCHO awards major investment contracts worth £38m

Oldham-based housing association, First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO), has selected two partners to take on major four-year investment contracts, worth a combined £38 million.

The deals will see Wates Property Services provide internal investment works including new kitchens, bathrooms and rewires, while Connolly Ltd will deliver external investment works including new roofing, windows and doors.

The social landlord has over 11,300 homes across Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside and plans to expand into nearby Kirklees and Calderdale.

The appointments follow a robust tendering process, in which both contractors delivered comprehensive bids with a focus on providing high quality customer service and creating social value through their work.

This includes working with Oldham College to create training opportunities such as apprenticeships, work placements and T-level placements for local people over the life of the contract, and adding further value through wider community engagement.

The contracts started in September and are for an initial four years, with the option to extend for a further year.

Steve Mather, FCHO Director of Assets and Sustainability said: "Providing great homes and high-quality services are priorities for us and these long-term contracts will ensure customers’ homes are high quality, safe and sustainable long into the future, and will help us add greater value to the communities in which we work.

“At FCHO we are committed to ensuring every pound we spend delivers best value for our customers and communities, and it is important for us to know our investment partners are not only improving our homes, but also doing more to benefit our communities.

“Through the tender process, Wates and Connolly demonstrated they are passionate about delivering exceptional services to our customers and making a positive difference to our neighbourhoods.

"Their appointment is an important milestone for us and I look forward to the seeing the impact that we will deliver by working together.”

Simon Harrison, Managing Director of Connolly Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be appointed to the First Choice Homes Oldham framework.

"The success is a fantastic achievement for our family business and outlines the passion, commitment and drive of our people, who are committed to delivering a outstanding service for our customers.

“We look forward to working closely with the First Choice Home Oldham team, building on our existing relationships and delivering great results for their residents.”

Stewart Reid, Regional Managing Director, Wates Living Space, said: “We believe everyone deserves a great place to live and we care about the communities in which we work.

"We are excited to work with our partners at First Choice Homes Oldham, to deliver quality improvements to the housing and support the long-term development of local people and businesses.”

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