Hundreds of Parbold locals get a first glimpse at The Retreat

16
July, 2024

Parbold locals get a first glimpse

We had a fantastic day at the Parbold Village Show last weekend

We had a fantastic day at the Parbold Village Show – an annual village fixture that sees hundreds of families come together for a day of fun!

Our team were there for the first time since we announced our plans for The Retreat, the repurposing of the Lancaster House former convent site into a stunning community of bespoke conversions and beautiful new homes.

From brass bands and artisan stalls, to musical performances and local worthy causes, the whole community came together (and even the rain stayed away!)

We had such a warm welcome the organisers, stall neighbours and visitors – whether young, old or our four-legged friends.

A massive thank you to everyone who took the time to visit us. We had so many conversations about our plans for The Retreat, with great interest in the historic site’s next chapter. We also met locals who had fascinating personal connections and memories of Lancaster House.

There’s still time to sign up to be the first to get detailed information about the homes at The Retreat. We will be hosting an exclusive VIP first look event later this month. Sign up here to get your invitation: Click Here >

Our sales Negotiator Mark Small will be based at The Retreat in Parbold from this summer, as work gets started on site. He said: “The community really came out in force for the packed out show and it’s a pleasure to be able to be a part of the village annual fixture. Sincere thanks to the organisers and all the volunteers that made everything run like clockwork. We’re already looking forward to next year!

“We’ve been blown away by such significant early interest in the new homes planned for The Retreat and can’t wait to be able to reveal more details on the 23 bespoke, individual homes that we’ll be delivering. Work is ramping up on site in the coming weeks and the first residents will be able to reserve off plan this summer.”

We’ll be announcing the winner of our luxury hamper soon!

First Awards from our Community Green Fund

09
April, 2024

First Awards from our Community Green Fund

We are delighted to announce the first recipients of funding

We are delighted to announce the first recipients of funding from the Ralph Brocklehurst Legacy Fund helping communities improve and maintain their green spaces.

Both projects are in Parbold, close to our latest development, and will enable volunteer residents to brighten their local area this spring and summer.

The first award of £500 will let the Friends of Parbold Station buy a new tiered planter and the plants to fill it for the Southport-bound side of the station.

John Sloane, from the Group said: “Following the removal of a passenger shelter we need a new focal point for the platform and this award will help us provide that.

“We are all incredibly proud of our station in Parbold which is well used by the local community and we want to keep it a bright and colourful place. We are delighted to have the support of the PJ Livesey Group, through the Ralph Brocklehurst Fund, to help us do that.”

The second award of £200 will allow a small but dedicated group of volunteers buy materials and tools for the maintenance of public gardens in Parbold.

The Parbold Tree Warden Group regularly take part in weeding, planting, pruning and litter-picking to make sure the village’s gardens and verges, particularly around protected trees, are looking their best.

The Group needs funds to buy more equipment for their volunteers.

Managing director Georgina Lynch said: “We are really pleased to announce the first recipients and I am sure Ralph would have been delighted to know of the work being done in his name.

“We look forward to receiving more applications to the Fund from charitable groups within five miles of our current developments in Sheffield, Portsmouth and Stroud as well as Parbold.”

Lancaster House on Lancaster Lane was built in 1845 for local industrialist Hugh Ainscough, it was used by the family up until 1929 when it was first rented, then purchased, by The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur UK, who occupied the 6.5-acre site up until 2021.

The main house is being converted into four grand apartments, while the stable block will become five new homes. Thirteen new build properties are being built within the grounds.

Georgina added: “The gardens of Lancaster House are just as important as the buildings and are being restored and improved to create a place of peace and tranquillity which residents will be able to enjoy.”

To learn more about the Ralph Brocklehurst Fund and how to apply please CLICK HERE

Launch of Community Green Legacy Fund

22

February, 2024

Launch of Community Green Legacy Fund

The Ralph Brocklehurst Legacy Fund set up to help groups and communities

We are very proud to announce the launch of the Ralph Brocklehurst Legacy Fund set up to help groups and communities wanting to improve gardens and green spaces in their local neighbourhood.

The Fund is named to remember and celebrate the life of Ralph Brocklehurst, a key part of the PJ Livesey story over three decades, and passionate gardener who sadly died from cancer in 2022.

Managing director, Georgina Lynch, said: “Ralph had a great love of buildings and gardens and we wanted to honour his memory by helping local communities create or improve their own gardens or green spaces, creating places that people can enjoy.

“Ralph understood the restorative power of plants and gardens and having places, be they large or small, where you can connect with nature is hugely important.

“We always want to enhance the communities where we develop and this is a way to support the work being done by people to improve their local environment.”

Community groups, schools and other organisations within five miles of our on-going developments can apply for a grant of up to £1,000 and the money can be used to purchase tools, plants or to buy professional support.

Applications detailing the project and what the monies will be used for can be made throughout the year and will be awarded twice a year, in March and September.

Georgina added: “We know the power of a community and cannot wait to hear about projects either on-going or that need help to get started and to help them flourish and grow.”

 

CURRENT SITE LOCATIONS ARE:
• Green Walk, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 3HA
• Tapton Court, Shore Ln, Sheffield S10 3BW
• Kings Court, Macclesfield, SK10 1AP
• St James Hospital, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 8LD
• Lancaster House, Parbold, Wigan WN8 7HT

Wreath Laid at Gateway of Remembrance

13

November, 2023

KINGS’ GATEWAY OF REMEMBRANCE

A wreath of poppies was laid at the former King’s School in Macclesfield

A wreath of poppies was laid at the Gateway of Remembrance at the former King’s School in Macclesfield to honour former pupils lost in both World Wars.

The Remembrance Day ceremony was led by members of the town’s Royal British Legion, with four standard bearers, and attended by the Mayor, Cllr Christopher Wilcock.

The gateway – commissioned in memory of former pupils lost in the Second World War – have now been restored and re-erected on the edge of the former cricket field.

PJ Livesey managing director, Georgina Lynch said: “The gateway is a well-loved feature of the King’s School site and will remain part of the new King’s Gate development.

“The Cricket Pavilion – erected in memory of pupils lost in the first World War – is also being retained and will be re-purposed to provide two affordable homes.

“We wanted to mark the repositioning of the gateway and pay our respects over the Remembrance Weekend and would like to thank the Royal British Legion for leading the ceremony and to everyone who attended.”

Chorlton Shopping Centre Redevelopment Consultation

11
November, 2023

Redevelopment Consultation

For the Chorlton Shopping Centre in South Manchester

The second stage of public consultation on our plans to redevelop the Chorlton Shopping Centre site in south Manchester is now underway.

Following significant input from the local community, architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and landscape architects Randall Thorp, have designed a new masterplan for the site that will transform Barlow Moor Road into a bustling shopping street and deliver a diverse mix of around 200 new homes.

Based on the Development Framework adopted by Manchester City Council in 2017, the revised scheme would also bring improvements to green spaces with new planting across the site to improve biodiversity and the creation of a linear park.

The plans would see Barlow Moor Road transformed with flexible commercial space suitable for a range of operators at street level and apartments above. Mature trees would be retained with improved planting to create opportunities for outdoor seating.

The new homes would include one, two and three bedroom apartments and duplexes all with balconies and access to communal residential gardens, and a street of town houses with bay windows and brick detailing to reflect the existing neighbourhood.

Around 20% of the homes will be available through a Registered Provider for rent or shared ownership.

Whilst the route from Nicolas Road to Barlow Moor Road would remain open, it is planned for the junction between Nicolas Road and Manchester Road to be closed to vehicles. This would create space for lush new planting, as well as pedestrian-first walkable streets.

Public consultation drop-in events with the opportunity to discuss plans with the full team will be held in a vacant unit opposite Timpsons in the shopping precinct on the following days:
Saturday 18 November: 10am – 4pm
Tuesday 21 November: 12pm – 6pm

Follow-up sessions will also be available on:
Friday 24 November: 10am – 4pm
Thursday 30 November: 10am-4pm
Monday 4 December: 10am – 4pm

More information and an online questionnaire to give feedback can be found at: www.onechorlton.co.uk

The Christie ‘Walk of Hope’

04

October, 2023

THE CHRISTIE ‘WALK OF HOPE’ AT TATTON PARK

One Team, One Week, 1,000 Miles!

PJ Livesey colleagues took part in this year’s ‘Walk of Hope’ through Tatton Park to support The Christie hospital in Manchester.

But in typical PJ Livesey style we added to the challenge by committing to walk every day in the week leading up to the walk and also remember and celebrate the life of colleague Ralph Brocklehurst who sadly died from cancer last year.

‘Tread it for Ralph’ saw colleagues clocking up the miles on a treadmill in our Trafford Park HQ entrance throughout the week ahead of the actual walk with a final push tied in with a social event at the offices.

We were aiming for a total of 500 miles but in total walked a staggering 1,368 miles and raised £7,234.

The care Ralph received from The Christie was exceptional and every penny raised will help fund more research and care.

In 2021, we raised £11,000 walking, running and cycling 25,000 miles, ‘Around the World for Ralph’. You can read more about ‘Around the World for Ralph here.

A spokesperson for The Christie said: “It was wonderful to see more than 50 staff and their families join us for our recent ‘Walk of Hope’ event. This is an exceptional turnout from one company and not only is it a lasting testament to a wonderful colleague, but the money raised will make a very real difference to the lives of cancer patients and their families. Well done everyone involved and a huge thank you from all at The Christie.”