What friendly Liverpudlians want from their homes in 2021

NEW research has been released showing what people want from their neighbourhoods in 2021, with Liverpudlians placing their desire for friendly communities, access to:- local shops, independent cafés, green space and places for children to play at the top of their wish lists, but respondents also worried about a lack of quality housing in the City.

Commissioned by the modern housebuilder House by Urban Splash, a survey of 2,000 respondents gauged what people want from their homes in 2021. 44% of Liverpudlians stated they want to live in a strong community of friends and neighbours, but only 36% currently have access to this. Liverpudlians also ranked local shops and cafés of great importance with 50% of respondents citing this as an ideal feature of their local community.

Showing the North West's friendly character, the survey found that 44% of respondents in neighbouring Manchester also ranked a strong community high on the agenda; conversely, over the Pennines in Leeds, just a ⅓ of people cited this as a priority, while Londoners put access to green space 1st (44%).

Other surprising results were that just a ⅕ of Liverpudlians feel that they have access to good quality housing; less than other Cities, such as Norwich and Sheffield, where more than a ⅓ of respondents claim to have this; Liverpool's respondents also said that an area being:- 'too built up' is their most likely driver for moving home (40%).

Toby Brown who looks after the House by Urban Splash portfolio of homes in the North West comments:- "We know that people in the North have a great reputation for being friendly and approachable and it's really encouraging to see that a great, connected and friendly community is high on the agenda for people looking for a new home in Liverpool. We are creating real communities in the Region; such as East Float at Wirral Waters in Merseyside; in which people can 'Live Well by Design;' a neighbourhood with green space and shared areas that encourage people to be more social with those around them; it's obvious from these results that's what people want and at places like East Float we're proud to be creating it. East Float will be filled with our ground breaking customisable homes, with hundreds of layout options that allow you to create a grand design on a budget. We'll be launching them to the market in early 2021 and I'm confident they'll bring more choice and improve the housing offering in and around the City."

The survey also found that two thirds of Liverpudlians are eco-conscious, but 33% of them think that cost is a barrier to adapting their homes to be more sustainable; Toby continued:- "Buyers today are quite clearly eco-conscious, with this year compounding their need for homes that are built sustainably and are cheap to run and good for the planet. Using Modern Methods of Construction we build homes that are green by default."

The research has fed into House by Urban Splash 's new manifesto, called:- 'Live Well by Design,' that sets out 10 principles for successful future neighbourhoods focusing on design, wellbeing, choice and sustainability.

House by Urban Splash is creating their new neighbourhood at Wirral Waters, East Float, with customisable homes and green spaces all on the water's edge. Toby continued:- "Our ethos is 'Live Well by Design', and people can really do that at East Float; there are great views, green space and shared areas that encourage community; it's obvious from these results that's what people want and at places like East Float we're proud to be creating it."

As a company,  House believes that successful neighbourhoods fulfil more than people's housing needs, and that neighbourhood design can create great places to live. A sustainable neighbourhood offers balance; community when it's wanted, but also privacy when needed. A house builder can't build a ready made community, but good design can create the perfect conditions for people to grow their own.

Southport hairdresser brings festive cheer to retirement community

DECEMBER is always a busy time of year for hair stylists, but this year has been exceptionally busy for Nicola Copeman, hairdresser to the Homeowners at:- 'The Sailings' in Southport. Nicola has become 1 of 3 regular hairdressers who visit the Adlington Retirement Living development on Alexandra Road and provide retired residents with all their hairdressing needs from a relaxing shampoo and blow dry to cuts and colours, always following guidance and implementing safety measures to protect Homeowners.

Alexandra Johnson, Sales and Marketing Director for Adlington Retirement Living, said:- "Our on site hairdressing salons provide a safe and convenient space where our Homeowners can enjoy a bit of pampering, without having to venture out. Having a beautiful salon within our developments has always been popular, especially during the winter months. It provides a welcoming retreat for a little bit of TLC without the need to battle the elements. This year, it has been even more important."

In recent years, a number of studies have linked raising self esteem with staving off some of the negative effects of aging. Alexandra Johnson continues:- "What better way to boost self esteem than a trip to the salon. We often see people leave with a real spring in their step after they've had their hair done. I definitely think the benefits go beyond the aesthetic."

Nicola adds:- "Somebody once told me that we're not just hairdressers, we're also friends and good listeners. 1 lady, who I see every week, lost her husband and had a stroke last year and her family live quite a distance away so she says that our weekly appointments are a real tonic. I enjoy working with my clients at The Sailings so much that I rang them and kept in touch during both the lockdowns."

Edna, a Homeowner at The Sailings said:- "During the lockdown, I was shielded so I couldn't go to the shops or anything, but the team here delivered meals to my apartment from the restaurant. They've done it very well. I had my hair cut in our salon here last week and I'll be having it cut once a month again now. I had my 1st massage again when the therapy room reopened. I went quite regularly before lockdown."

Alexandra Johnson added:- "During the lockdowns, our on site teams have showed their team spirit, working together and going the extra mile to look after our Homeowners. Although our restaurants had to temporarily close for a period of time, our catering teams offered the same high standard of freshly prepared, delicious lunchtime meals and delivered them directly to our Homeowners' front doors, always maintaining social distancing and sanitising trays between deliveries. Our team members went shopping and collected prescriptions for our Homeowners and we created:- 'pop up shops' at each development to provide a safe and easy way to pick up everyday essentials."