News Ticker

Innovative milestone reached at multi-million-pound regeneration scheme in Leeds

Our flagship Points Cross project on behalf of leading affordable housing provider, The Guinness Partnership, has reached another key milestone with the launch of a unique on-site catering service facility.

Delivered in partnership with Leeds City College (School of Food and Drink), the facility is already providing a full hot and cold meal service, five days a week to our project workforce and visitors to the site, offering a wide range of meals and food, including healthy options using quality locally sourced ingredients.

This unique initiative is also designed to support the College Apprenticeship Programme. ‘The Food Station’, which is managed by Leeds City College’s Catering Manager, is providing apprenticeship opportunities, in addition to a rolling programme of daily work experience placements for local young people.

Cheryl Smith, Principal, Printworks, Leeds City College, said: “Leeds City College is proud to have built a strong partnership with United Living and The Guinness Partnership, providing through ‘The Food Station’ – a vital daily catering service for operatives and amazing opportunities for our learners and apprentices. 

“The project will provide essential work placements for a wide range of learners, and I am extremely excited to see the growth and further benefits to our learners as the project develops.”

The facility will also provide a regular service of hot meals delivered to The St. George’s Crypt Charity in Leeds, which supports people who are homeless and those at risk of homelessness.

Colin Kearney, Community Development Manager, United Living New Homes, said: “At United Living we are passionate about creating a sustainable built environment and working closely with Leeds City College aligns with our objective to generate value in the communities in which we work. 

“The on-site catering service facility, which is one of the first in the UK, will provide vital work experience for local people, a catering service for those working on and surrounding the site, as well as supporting charitable organisations, such as The St. George’s Crypt.”

Greig Lees, Head of Development Delivery North at The Guinness Partnership said: “In addition to the new affordable homes we are delivering, we are delighted to be partnering with United Living and Leeds City College to promote meaningful apprenticeship and work experience opportunities in the community we serve in Leeds. The apprentices and students will gain first-hand experience in a live catering environment serving the workforce on site and supporting a valuable local charity and the community.”

On behalf of The Guinness Partnership, United Living New Homes will deliver 311 residential apartments, 24 townhouses & 287 apartments, which will be 100%% affordable (shared ownership and social rent), providing much needed affordable homes for people in Leeds.

The scheme forms part of a major regeneration programme of the South Bank area of Leeds, which will provide over 8,000 new homes, with 928 new homes in total at Points Cross. The first phase of the development is scheduled to be completed in spring 2023.