October 2015
We are set to create more than 250 construction jobs in the North West in 2016.
Story Homes has a growing number of residential projects in the region, with a number of new homes either already under construction or well advanced in the planning process.
The company will take on almost 50 full time staff — from sales to planning — over the next 12 months, and expect to create a further 200 jobs for sub-contractors and key trades.
“We have significant plans to expand our operations, and have a particular strategic focus on the North West,” says Chief Executive Steve Errington. “This activity represents a massive expansion into new territory and will create a whole host of construction jobs.
“We are already building on two sites but we have several others where we have plans to start work in the coming months and naturally we will need to attract high quality people to bring these plans alive. We are eager to take on high quality people and to work with sub contractors who share our ethos — they will be able to grow with us.”
In 2015-16 Story Homes is projected to deliver more than 550 properties to the market. We aim to increase this to around 1000 properties by 2018.
The company already has projects under construction in Lancashire at High Wood in Lancaster, in Kirkham. Others in Clitheroe, Galgate and Cottam are set to follow before the end of this year, while a number of other projects are in the planning phase. Story Homes is also looking at potential developments in Manchester and Cheshire.
Mr Errington says the biggest threat to their plans is a skills shortage in the construction industry.
“A recent EC Harris report showed that the UK construction industry will need one million new recruits by 2020 if it is to build the homes the country needs. The Government is committed to addressing the shortfall of new housing supply but part of that equation will mean making sure the industry has the people with the right skills. Encouraging people into the industry and ensuring they have the necessary skill levels is going to be crucial if we — as a company and a nation — are going to meet our growth targets.”
Story Homes has been building high quality and high specification homes for more than 27 years. The reputation of the company is growing across Cumbria, North East England, Scotland and Lancashire with many new developments in the pipeline. Click here for more information about careers.
