The ExtraCare Charitable Trust - Pannel Croft Retirement Village - Internal upgrades

Established in 1988, The ExtraCare Charitable Trust operates retirement villages and smaller housing developments across the Midlands and further South.

In 2019, the Trust appointed J Tomlinson to undertake internal refurbishment works across communal areas in its Pannel Croft retirement village in Newtown, Birmingham, which is home to over 200 residents.

Works included installation of new LED lighting, flooring, tiling, sanitaryware across the Village’s WC blocks, bar and reception areas. The project was also inclusive of significant fit-out works.

This marks the second project undertaken in partnership with the Trust following the successful handover of a refurbishment and extension scheme undertaken across its Lovat Fields Retirement Village in 2018.

Live Retirement Village

As works took place within an occupied retirement village in which over a third of residents receive care assistance – J Tomlinson’s approach was centred around the protection and safety of residents and care staff. Prior to starting on site, J Tomlinson took part in an on-site presentation delivered to residents to make them aware of the improvement works that would soon take place.

Works to the corridor, which comprised installation of vinyl flooring over the Village’s existing flooring, were carried out overnight and during weekends to minimise disruption to resident and staff activity. A separate site manager oversaw all works to the corridor, with staff ensuring it was safe for residents to use during the day.

Covid-19 Safe Working

The Covid-19 pandemic struck just over a month into the project. In line with the government-enforced lockdown period, works were temporarily suspended to reduce the risk of infection spread and protect Pannel Croft’s residents and staff. At this point, phase 1 of the project – improvements to the village’s reception area – had been completed.

When works were able to recommence in early summer, J Tomlinson worked with the Village’s staff and the wider project team to ensure all remaining works to Pannel Croft were undertaken in adherence to government social distancing guidelines, supported by a robust risk management plan incorporating regular sanitation of work and welfare areas, segregated working, additional PPE and conducting temperature checks.

Client Familiarity/Strong Partnership

We met with the client and wider project team on a weekly basis, ensuring all parties were kept abreast of project updates and client-led changes, including the addition of new bulkheads, sliding shutters, units and counter tops to the Village’s bar area.

The project was completed to a high-standard, helping to optimise the Village’s space, efficiency and aesthetic appeal.

LOCAL SUPPLY CHAIN - All subcontractors and suppliers that J Tomlinson engaged with throughout the scheme were Midlands-based, contributing positively to the local economy and local employment

2nd PROJECT UNDERTAKEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CLIENT - Pannel Croft marks the second successful refurbishment scheme that J Tomlinson has undertaken in partnership with the Trust, building upon an excellent relationship with our client

COVID-19 SAFE WORKING - All works were completed in line with government social distancing guidelines, helping to prevent infection spread throughout the Village

ON TIME COMPLETION - The scheme was completed to a high-quality finish and in line with the client’s revised programme following temporary suspension of works due to the Covid-19 pandemic

ADHERANCE TO CLIENT-LED DESIGNS - As part of the scheme, J Tomlinson worked with the client’s architect to construct a new reception counter based on the client’s bespoke design specifications