Press release
Grand Union refurbishes landmark Rushden hotel
Leading east of England social housing provider, Grand Union Housing Group (GUHG), has refurbished the historic Rilton Hotel in the town centre of Rushden in East Northamptonshire. GUHG developed this scheme for its subsidiary organisation Aragon Housing Association.
The renovated building, which has been renamed Queen Victoria House, has been remodelled into 17 apartments for shared ownership, with a new building containing 22 two-bedroom flats for rent constructed on the same site. Two of the flats have been designed for residents with supported living needs. One of the shared ownership properties has been purchased by an existing housing association tenant who has a degenerative disease and wanted to own his property rather than continue renting. The ground floor positioning and close proximity to his local pub and Rushden’s Asda supermarket is perfect for him.
Councillor Dudley Hughes, Chairman of East Northamptonshire Council, officially opened the scheme on Friday 04 July 2008. The ribbon cutting ceremony took place on the impressive central staircase of Queen Victoria House and was also attended by Councillor Barbara Jenney, Mayor of Rushden.
Speaking at the event, Councillor Hughes expressed his pleasure at seeing the scheme come to fruition:
“This hotel was built in the nineteenth century with pride and now it has been renovated with pride. It is wonderful to see that the original features, skirting and coving have been preserved. Congratulations to Grand Union Housing Group for accomplishing this modernisation. This historic building is certainly worthy of restoration.”
Alan Humphreys, Group Chief Executive of GUHG thanked all those who had worked on the development and said:
“We are really pleased to have been able to refurbish this hotel, particularly in an age when so many older buildings are demolished to make way for new ones.”
GUHG restored The Rilton Hotel to its former glory with the aid of £1,084,000 government grant support of from the Housing Corporation. The nineteenth century building, which had closed in 2004, had been a victim of vandalism and arson and had also withstood bombing during World War II.
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