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Willmott Dixon has been appointed for the interior fit-out of a high-profile Birmingham scheme.
The £6.5 million interior fit-out contract is for 428 apartments on the Perry Barr Residential Scheme run by Birmingham City Council, through the Constructing West Midlands framework.
The appointment follows Willmott Dixon’s successful delivery of plots eight and nine on the project – a new-build scheme creating 428 one-and-two-bedroom apartments in collaboration with Lendlease – which is set to be occupied from 2023 and is part of a wider delivery of 5,000 homes in Perry Barr within the next two decades.
The interior fit-out contract, which includes installation of amenities and decoration across all apartments and common areas, will see Willmott Dixon invest heavily in the local community. Over £2 million will be spent with local SMEs, and the equivalent of £3 million will be invested in local communities through social value activities, such as improving employability for local people, running enrichment programmes with local schools, and providing work experience opportunities.
Since construction works started on plots eight and nine in January 2020, the company has created 139 job opportunities, 34 apprenticeships, and spent £20 million with local businesses within 10 miles of the site, as well delivering 322 weeks of work experience and more than 1,250 hours of time being volunteered by staff.
Dan Doyle, Operations Director at Willmott Dixon, said: “We’ve developed a fantastic working relationship with the Birmingham City Council team over the course of the project and delivered not only two brilliant buildings, but a tangible social value and community-led legacy for the local area.
“We’re particularly proud of the 139 jobs and 34 apprenticeship roles we have created since 2020. We’ve had someone not in education, employment, or training (NEET), join us for work experience and she impressed the team so much that she applied for our management trainee programme and is now a trainee assistant build manager. We’ve also had our general operative join us via the government Kick Start programme.
“Social value and collaboration have been two key elements of the construction phase of the Perry Barr Residential Scheme. By working closely with Lendlease and Birmingham City Council, we’ve not only contributing to the council’s housing delivery but also the Birmingham Business Charter for Social Responsibility.
“We’re therefore delighted to be appointed for the interior fit-out works and have the opportunity to continue the delivery of plots eight and nine, ensuring the continuity of service and a smooth transition from exterior to interior ready for onward occupation.”
Peter Yates, Regional Framework Director for Constructing West Midlands, said: “Over the last 10 years, Willmott Dixon has consistently demonstrated their commitment to working in partnership through our framework. They’ve had a real focus on creating and sustaining opportunities for local people and business communities here in Birmingham and across the wider West Midlands region.”
