Press Release

8 May 2006

Leading Housebuilder has designs on University

William Leech 55+, a subsidiary of leading housebuilder Persimmon Homes specialising in developing housing for the more mature market, is working in partnership with Northumbria University, to give its students an insight into the world of work.

As part of their second year syllabus, 20 students on the BA Honours Interior Design course, have been set the task of developing design concepts for William Leech 55+’s first development in Gateshead.

The ‘Design for Life’ Awards will run until May and students have already undertaken a site visit to the newly-constructed St James’ Court apartment complex, to see the scale and environment to which they are working.

William Leech 55+ spokesperson, Kevin Thubron, comments; “Northumbria University’s School of Design has an exceptional reputation both regionally and internationally and, we wanted to work with students who could not only put passion and creativity into their designs, but also thought and consideration into the needs of our target market.

“We build homes for people aged 55+ and although each homebuyer has their own self-contained apartment to live in, there are also communal rooms such as a conservatory, lounge and kitchen, to share.   We wanted those shared areas to be thoughtfully designed to suit the tastes and needs of the wide range of people who will live at St James’ Court, which is the fundamental reason we asked the students for help.”

Judith Douthwaite, programme leader of the Interior Design course at Northumbria University, adds: “We firmly believe that giving our students the opportunity to work alongside a trading company, prepares them for life after University by making them more commercially aware.  The collaboration between us and William Leech 55+ is working effectively, but most importantly, the students are learning while enjoying themselves.”

Throughout May the students will be assessed on their work and the winning team will be presented with the ‘Design for Life’ award plus a cash prize of £200, in a ceremony planned for the end of May.

Located in the desirable St James’ Village development in Gateshead, St James’ Court comprises 63 one and two bedroom apartments. Prices start from just £96,950.

Positioned just off the A184 Felling By-Pass, the development has excellent transport links via the nearby Gateshead Stadium Metro station and a regular bus service; it is also within easy reach of the A19 and A1, providing access to the region’s wider road network.

For further information about St James’ Court or William Leech 55+, please call our telephone hotline on 08700 04 55 75 or visit www.williamleech55plus.com.

Ends

For more information, please contact Georgina Dunkley

Admiral PR
Tel : 0191 222 0722
Email: georgina.dunkley@admiralpr.com
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