A Stoke-on-Trent housing complex has been declared the Best of British. 

The West End Village, Stoke, was named as “The Most Outstanding Extra Care Housing Complex in the UK” (for 2011) at the annual UK Over 50s Housing Awards. 

The West End Village was opened by Staffordshire Housing Association around 12 months ago. 

The architecturally designed, state-of-the-art complex provides 100 one and two bedroom apartments set around high quality facilities such as a gymnasium and restaurant which are also open to the general public. 

Judging was carried out by Esmonde Crawley, Editor of Over 50s Housing, which has journals and websites in 10 countries including the UK, US, Canada, the Netherlands and Germany. 

Mr. Crawley has been researching, writing and lecturing on Over 50s Housing for 26 years and spends 10 months a year travelling; visiting newly opened projects, interviewing buyers and occupants across the world. 

He said: “Standards in the UK have risen dramatically in the past three years, and the UK now leads the world in some key areas. Judging is against the prevailing international standards and not just a UK measurement.” 

Diane Lea, Chief Executive at Staffordshire Housing Association, said: “Our residents already tell us what a wonderful place the West End Village is to live but it is fabulous to have that confirmed through this award. 

“It is great to know that our residents in Stoke-on-Trent are getting the best available supported housing.  The West End Village is the first housing complex to be built by Staffordshire Housing Association with communal facilities open to the public. 

“It has proved a great success and has become a community hub for residents living in and around the West End of Stoke and Boothen.” 

Earlier this year, West End Village was recognised in the National House Building Council’s Quality Awards scheme.

ENDS 

For media enquiries contact Sandra Barber on 01782 744533.

Notes to Editors:

Staffordshire Housing Group is a housing association committed to building a better future for local communities.  Established in 1984, SHA provide a huge range of tenant services including maintenance, tenancy support, estate management and gardening, as well as essential guidance on income management, money advice and benefits assessments. They are committed to improving live in Staffordshire through regeneration, supported housing, older people’s villages, key worker homes and a rolling programme of home improvements. Their subsidiary company, Blue Mountain Housing Association, also work closely with refugee and local BME communities to provide essential support with healthcare, education, training and employment as well as access to quality housing.