Birmingham City Council officials joined residents to celebrate the official opening of Barrow House, a nine-storey block of flats located in Edgbaston.

The block has had a £1.8m refurbishment, including external wall insulation, an insulated roof system, new PVCu windows and doors and the complete refurbishment of communal landings and entrance lobby areas. Cutting the ribbon on the refurbished building was tenant Fergus Hennessey, who has lived in Barrow House for 37 years.

The work was completed by regeneration and refurbishment specialist Lovell, one part of Community Solutions West Midlands (CSWM), which is a joint venture between Lovell and construction specialist Morgan Sindall. CSWM is based in Handsworth.

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The flats have also benefitted from a new energy-efficient central heating system, a new improved forced ventilation system and the replacement of all kitchen units. Final touches included the addition of external railings, signage and lighting as well as communal benches, hard and soft external landscaping

The residents are delighted with their newly-refurbished homes which will bring improved living conditions and warmer homes throughout the winter. The improvements are expected to bring improved carbon outputs and lower utility bills.

Dave Kelly, Framework Manager for CSWM, said: "We are delighted to see the residents so happy with their refurbished homes and pleased that despite appalling weather making for challenging conditions earlier this year, we were still able to complete the project to an exceptionally high standard whilst meeting the residents' expectations."

(CD/MH)