Residents at Radcliffe Gardens, one of the oldest high rise buildings in Leamington Spa are seeing the final touches being made to major improvement works to their homes, as part of a programme of transformation across all Warwick District Council owned blocks.

The extensive work has not only provided additional fire safety features, but also enhanced the look and feel of the building with modern and bright communal areas, new flooring, decoration and lighting. Management of the buildings has been improved too with daily checks by officers to ensure that rigorous safety standards are met.

Now that spring is here the Council’s green spaces team have landscaped the outside areas with new footpaths and walkways and flower beds with a specially chosen selection of bedding plants which have been designed to bring colour throughout the year.

George Dunkley who has lived in Radcliffe Gardens since 1974 commented: “The whole building feels brighter and fresher and the signage is much better too.”

Mavis McColl who moved into the block in 1995 added: “The improvements made have made me feel more secure and I am happier to invite people round. “

The work at Radcliffe Gardens is part of Warwick District Council’s £2.5m programme of investment and fire safety improvements to its nine ‘high rise’ blocks of six storeys or more. This will see every flat being installed with a new 60-minute fire-resistant door, new communal doors and screens, smoke venting to the stairwells, fire suppression systems in the bin stores, upgraded emergency lighting, new fire signage and alarms and the containment of cabling. 

Cllr Peter Phillips, Portfolio Holder for Housing Services said: “I am very pleased with the rejuvenation of Radcliffe Gardens and even more heartened that the residents are happy with the great improvements we have made. Following the tragedy of the Grenfell fire we wanted to ensure that the highest of safety standards were implemented and at the same time bring our high-rise homes into line with some of the best available in the private sector. This programme of work has delivered on both fronts.”