Swindon Borough Council has appointed housing refurbishment specialist Lovell for a two-year contract to install new kitchens at local council homes. The scheme has a value of £1.1 million for the first year, with a budget yet to be finalised for the second year.

The work, which has just got under way, involves the installation of new fitted kitchens including new worktops and kitchen units, new flooring, rewiring work and redecoration. Up to 340 council homes will have kitchens replaced during the first year of the scheme. The contract also has the option to be extended – for a total of up to three years - at the end of the original term.

With most tenants set to continue living in their homes while the improvement work is carried out, Lovell will prioritise helping transform homes with the minimum of disruption, drawing on its extensive experience of successfully carrying out high-quality, large-scale housing refurbishment programmes in partnership with residents, local authorities and housing associations. Lovell’s specialist resident liaison team will keep tenants informed at all stages of the work, and help ensure that the scheme goes as smoothly as possible.

Coun Oliver Donachie, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, says: “Tenants repeatedly tell us how important it is to upgrade and improve their homes and our kitchen replacement programme underlines our commitment to invest in the Council’s housing stock. We know how much of a difference a new kitchen can make to tenants and we are delighted to get this latest contract under way.”

Lovell regional director Kate Rees says: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Swindon Borough Council on this important programme of improvements. The scheme – our first for the Council - will bring about significant benefits for local tenants, providing them with attractive modern kitchens, decorated and fitted to a high standard. We put people and the community at the heart of our projects and are excited to be working with tenants and the Borough Council in Swindon to improve homes locally.”