Landlord alliance throws kitchen sink at savings

Social landlords have unveiled a home improvement alliance tipped to deliver multi-million-pound savings.

An octet of North East Housing Partnership members have pooled kitchen installation investment programmes.

Officials say the move has potential to deliver savings worth more than £10 million over the next decade.

Under the terms of the venture, North East Housing Partnership landlords Karbon Homes, Gentoo, Believe Housing, Bernicia, Thirteen Group, North Star Housing, North Tyneside Council and Railway Housing are working alongside Cramlington-based kitchen maker JTC Furniture.

Bosses say the endeavour has already created eight jobs at JTC, with a surveyor role now advertised and seven further posts set to be unveiled.

John Johnston, North East Housing Partnership chair, said: “Our members have been collaborating across many different areas, looking to achieve efficiency and cost savings.

“This project enables us to pool our planned investment and deliver huge savings, while generating social value and jobs for our local communities.”

Colin Tweddell, JTC executive director – social housing, said: “We have been working closely with partners to determine the specification of kitchen ranges and create a streamlined specification that will boost manufacturing, ordering and cost efficiency.

“We are very excited to see how this partnership evolves.”

The alliance is supported by Newcastle-based procurement and collaboration firm Prosper.

Rod Brasington, Prosper chief executive, added: “This is a significant achievement for the sector and represents one of the first collaborative partnerships of its kind nationally.

“That it is based in Prosper’s North East heartland is brilliant for the region.”

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