£15m jobs boost for Burnley (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

£15m jobs boost for Burnley

4:19pm Wednesday 9th January 2013 in News

THIRTY new jobs have been created in Burnley after a £15million deal was signed to refurbish former council houses in the borough.

Bosses hope that Ring Stones, a partnership between borough landlord Calico Homes and maintenance specialists will eventually secure contracts totalling £45million.

But the alliance has at least so far signed up to regenerate Calico’s 4,500-strong portfolio across estates in Burnley.

More than nine out of 10 staff recruited so far by Ring Stones are from East Lancashire — which the new venture is said to prefer to sub-contracting.

Those taken on so far by the outfit include plasterers, joiners, roofers, bricklayers, labourers and a site manager.

Another 10 staff are being sought including a quantity surveyor, contracts manager, customer liaison officer and gas engineers.

Michael Birkett, Ring Stones chairman, said: “The £15million contract represents a strong start for Ring Stones and demonstrates the long-term potential of the partnership.

“Thousands of Burnley residents are set to benefit from the improvements directly, while continuing to focus our recruitment efforts within the area will help create local employment opportunities and drive investment in the community during this challenging time for the wider economy.

“The new recruitment drive will add talent to our capable workforce and ensure we have a strong local supply chain for the delivery of improvement works over the next 10 years.”

The housing landlord is responsible for former council house stock in Burnley, sheltered housing projects and a number of homes in Rossendale borough.