Residents invite Leicester’s Lord Mayor to see £700,000 makeover to retirement living scheme

A retirement living scheme in Leicester has undergone a £700,000 makeover, and residents were so thrilled with the results that they invited the Lord Mayor along to take a look around.

Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr Annette Byrne, cutting the ribbon with The Quadrant residents in the newly refurbished lounge.

The Quadrant on Drummond Road, run by housing association Riverside, has had extensive work carried out to the communal areas – kitchen, lounge, conservatory, laundry room, bathroom and hallways. In addition the guest room was refurbished, and kitchens and bathrooms in some apartments were replaced.

Clive and Caroline Calow are absolutely delighted with renovation and wanted to show the scheme off to Leicester’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Annette Byrne, so asked her to take a tour of the place.

) Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr Annette Byrne, with Clive Calow in his new kitchen.
Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr Annette Byrne, with Clive Calow in his new kitchen.

 

“The scheme looks fabulous. I wanted to do something to show our gratitude and how pleased we are with the work carried out by Riverside so I invited the Lord Mayor along,” says 72-year-old Clive who has lived there for nine years.

“The communal areas look wonderful, really homely and inviting. We have a brand new communal kitchen, new furniture and curtains – the building has been given a new lease of life and now we want to make more use of the communal lounge.

“Our new kitchen in our apartment looks beautiful, and many of the tenants have had their bathroom or kitchen replaced. We are very grateful to Riverside for the work carried out and the money spent.”

Residents and staff celebrated the day with the Lord Mayor who did the honours of cutting the ribbon.

The Quadrant in Leicester

Lord Mayor, Cllr Annette Byrne, said: “It is clear that the renovation works have made substantial improvements to the facilities at Riverside and has created a more comfortable and welcoming environment for its residents.

“The refurbished guest room and bathroom allows visitors to stay overnight, which I am sure will be in great demand, and it is clear to see the positive impact the refurbishment has had for everyone.”

The renovation is part of Riverside’s £27 million programme to refurbish its retirement living schemes across the country.

The Quadrant, which has 36 apartments for people over 55, regularly hold social activities in the communal lounge such as coffee mornings, parties and bingo.

Resident Christine Stuart with Paula Caney, Riverside’s service manager.
Resident Christine Stuart with Paula Caney, Riverside’s service manager.

 

Neighbour Christine Stuart has lived at the scheme for 14 years said: “I am pleased with the renovation, the place looks modern, fresh and homely. I like to spend more time in the communal lounge now that it has been refurbished.

“I also had my kitchen replaced and it really looks brilliant, it now looks like a swish apartment. All residents were given the opportunity to have a say on the choice of colour and décor in the communal areas so it was good to be involved. We are all very pleased with the work carried out, it’s nice to show my relatives around the place.”

To find out more about Riverside’s retirement living schemes visit: https://www.riverside.org.uk/care-and-support/retirement.