- MP Shailesh Vara's visit

APRIL 19, 2006
MP Shailesh Vara's visit

PETERBOROUGH MP Shailesh Vara will visit a tenant's home to mark the completion of improvements to more than 2,000 properties by Cross Keys Homes.

The city's biggest landlord has invited the MP to Daphne Skipworth (72) and Leonard Skipworth (75) property of Coneygree Road

Great grandmother Mrs Skipworth said: "We are over the moon with our kitchen.

"My husband has bone cancer and finds it difficult to manoeuvre around but this new kitchen has made our lives much easier as it is user-friendly and offers more space."

Mr and Mrs Skipworth also had a central heating system, toilet, sink and new doors fitted under Cross Keys Homes' improvement programme.

Cross Keys Homes' chief executive, Mick Leggett added: "I am delighted that Shailesh Vara will have the opportunity to see first hand how we are improving tenants' lives.

"We are currently accelerating at 200 improved properties a month and are proud to share our achievements with one of Peterborough's MPs."

Notes to editor:

Under a major £108 million improvement programme Cross Keys Homes originally set out to complete 5,000 properties in its first five years as landlord. Now Peterborough's biggest landlord will complete improvement works including new kitchens, bathrooms and central heating systems to 8,500 homes by the end of 2008 - a year-and-a-half ahead of schedule.

Cross Keys Homes has carried out full surveys across all its properties which identified the 8,500 needing improvements by the Government's 2010 decent homes deadline. Once these have been completed works to the remaining properties will be planned in, where necessary.

Press contact: Katie Savage, communications officer, Cross Keys Homes, 01733 385116.