Lorraine Beavers MP visited two Great Places schemes in Blackpool to meet customers, hear about the difference investment is making to local homes and communities, and see how residents are helping to create thriving neighbourhoods.
Joined by Great Places Chief Executive Alison Dean, the MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood toured Winnipeg Place in Bispham, where a major programme of improvement works has recently been completed.
During the visit, she met customers and visited the scheme’s community garden, which is maintained by Great Places and supported by residents through flower and vegetable planting.
The investment at Winnipeg Place has included new windows and doors, upgraded cladding, improvements to parking and communal areas, enhanced fire safety systems, new fencing and the installation of a new gas central heating system.
Outdoor spaces have also been transformed with new seating and planters, creating an welcoming environment for customers to enjoy.
The visit also highlighted the important role residents play in shaping their community. The Winnipeg Residents Association, established for more than 25 years, continues to bring people together through activities and events, helping to tackle isolation and strengthen community connections.
Following the tour of Winnipeg Place, Lorraine Beavers MP visited Elk View Court, Great Places’ extra care housing scheme for people aged 55 and over, where she met customers and learned more about a significant heat network retrofit programme.
The project has modernised the scheme’s heating system, improving customer comfort, reducing energy waste and giving residents greater control over their heating and hot water.
The improvements, supported through funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Heat Network Energy Efficiency Scheme, have reduced heat losses by 85 per cent and helped provide a safer, more efficient and reliable service for customers.
Speaking after the visit, Lorraine Beavers MP said: “It was fantastic to visit Winnipeg Place and Elk View Court and see first-hand the investment being made in homes and communities across my constituency. Meeting residents and hearing about their experiences brought to life the positive impact that high-quality housing, neighbourhood improvements and community-led initiatives can have on people’s lives.”
Alison Dean, Chief Executive of Great Places, said: “We were delighted to welcome Lorraine Beavers MP and showcase the work taking place across our communities in Blackpool. From investing in customers’ homes and improving energy efficiency, to supporting resident-led initiatives such as the community garden, we remain committed to creating places where people can thrive. It was a great opportunity for Lorraine to meet customers and hear directly about the difference these improvements are making.”
