Gedling House is landlord's newest home

One of the oldest homes in Gedling is set for a new lease of life – thanks to the area’s youngest landlord.

Gedling House is a grade II listed building, parts of which date back to the late 16th century. It is steeped in local history, and has seen many uses, including a museum, wedding venue and more recently an engineering design studio.

Now it is to reopen as the administrative headquarters of Gedling Homes, the organisation that took over the entire stock of around 3,400 homes from Gedling borough council in Nottinghamshire a year ago.

The search for new premises began as Gedling Homes started to deliver promises made to the area’s tenants after they voted overwhelmingly for housing transfer. More than 320 homes have already been improved with new kitchens, bathrooms, heating and windows and doors.

Managing Director Lynn Clayton explained: ”One of many promises made was that we would stay within the borough boundaries. We searched extensively looking for an ideal location, which would combine first-class customer access with a good place for our workforce. By investing in technology, we have linked our newly-opened and handily-placed Customer Contact Centre inside Arnold’s Civic Centre with this headquarters.

“I’m delighted we have achieved this solution. It gives our customers a great service, preserves part of the area’s heritage, but also recognises our responsibility as a significant employer in Gedling.”

For the last year, office staff have been in leased premises in Carlton. The new offices at Gedling House will accommodate 63 Gedling Homes employees over three floors, and provide support to staff based in 20 sheltered schemes as well as the Customer Contact Centre.

The building has been refurbished and repaired sympathetically by contractors Frank Haslam Milan at a cost of around £0.75m. Period details such as ceiling covings, sliding sash window frames, solid flag floors have been restored and to an exacting timetable. Even the seven original fireplaces have been swept, repaired and returned to working condition.

Gedling Homes, part of the New Charter Housing Trust Group, will operate from Gedling House from Monday 16th November 2009. The main telephone number remains unaltered at 0115 905 1515.

www.gedlinghomes.co.uk