New to forum, been investing in the town.

GEaston · 04-03-2013, 05:50

Hi folks. I found this forum when researching various buildings in the town.

I'm a small scale investor in the town, and would like to the town to do well. I'm originally from Newcastle, so fully understand the North South divide.

I'm 42 years old, have founded 3 businesses and have done well. The companies I founded provided over 100 years employment for local folk which I'm proud of. I bought my first Accrington building a couple of years ago at auction. It was a beautiful stone terrace on St James St. Had been neglected for years, empty for 5 years, and as with many of these fine buildings was well on the road to dereliction. Renovated it completely and it is a fine building once again (tenanted - nice area).

Recently bought 2 properties on Warner Street, similar state, lot of work to fix. Looking forward to getting on with that job.

Where possible I only use Accrington labour to fix these properties. Seems there's few jobs to be had, so it's nice to be able to provide some employment.

I didn't buy them to flip them - if I sell any of these places it'll be to finance a larger renovation in the town.

Look forward to discussing how to improve the town with anyone, including councilors on the forum. I cannot stand to watch fine buildings fall into neglect. I can't say why, but it bugs the hell out of me.

Graham.

flashy · 04-03-2013, 06:10

Funny how you say you're 42 and your profile says you're 43

Margaret Pilkington · 04-03-2013, 07:06

could be a typo Shaz(and you know how they escape you until the time for an edit has elapsed)......Anyway, Graham, Welcome to the forum.
I'm sure you will find plenty to interest, entertain....and sometimes even infuriate you.
Enjoy the site.

jaysay · 04-03-2013, 09:06

Welcome to the forum Graham, it looks like you have a genuine interest in this area and want to help make a difference.

churchfcrules · 04-03-2013, 09:12

welcome! and howdo

bobthedj · 04-03-2013, 09:26

Welcome to Accy web. Do you need a plasterer?

lancsdave · 04-03-2013, 09:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by GEaston

I'm originally from Newcastle, so fully understand the North South divide.

I think Newcastle and Accrington are both in the North.

Accrington seems to be popular at the moment for old building renovation

Bob Dobson · 04-03-2013, 16:14

Any move towards refurbishing and restoring the buildings has got to be welcomed.

davemac · 04-03-2013, 21:13

ow do, and welcome

GEaston · 05-03-2013, 00:50

Thanks folks.

I was born in 1969 in Ashington, and as the years roll by you lose count and care less.

I find the discussions about your local town officials very interesting. Coming at it with an outsiders perspective I would say that it's good that the town actually has a 15 year forward plan. Sure the recession and government cuts will kill off most of it, but the very fact there is a plan deserves some credit. I bought a building in Thorne, Doncaster last year - a market town with many of the same problems but there's no plan at all for that place, and there the officials really don't know what to do.

I look forward to meeting some of the town's officials in the summer to talk about some smaller renovation projects. I'm not stupid enough to take on something like the Conservative Club which common sense says needs to be demolished, but there are many other buildings heading the same way that should be renovated and re-purposed.

For example the town has loads of boarded up pubs. The days of having so many pubs are long gone. Half the town doesn't drink due to religion and most of the rest don't have the spare cash to burn. So buildings like the Hope and Anchor pub (which is a nice building) lie in ruin for the last 3 or more years, and it can't even be sold at auction. That place should be retained, converted on the inside and put to use as residential. If the council will listen to sensible suggestions for quality conversion then I think I can help the town in a small way and do the work with skilled locals.

To Bob - yes I will need a plaster in about 3 months time. One of the main reasons I'm doing stuff in Accrington is that I found a highly skilled local lad (born and still living in Accrington) who can be trusted to do a good job at a fair price. Such tradesmen are hard to find, but having found one I need to base projects around where he lives. I do want to employ him because he and his family deserve it. He calls in specialist skills as needed and that's what I want to continue doing. I'll reach out to you Bob when the time comes and find other skills that we lack via the job board as I need them.

Graham.

Sunflower49 · 05-03-2013, 03:47

I'm not an Accrington-ite but I'm sure I can still say welcome to the forum

cashman · 05-03-2013, 07:03

Welcome to the forum.

jaysay · 05-03-2013, 08:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugarmouse0707

I'm not an Accrington-ite but I'm sure I can still say welcome to the forum

Think the word is Accringtonian SM

susie123 · 05-03-2013, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by GEaston

I'm not stupid enough to take on something like the Conservative Club which common sense says needs to be demolished, but there are many other buildings heading the same way that should be renovated and re-purposed.

Phew! so you're not related to Ewoodsambo then? Thank goodness!

Accrington Lad · 05-03-2013, 11:20

Your right there, the con club would be too big of a task for a single developer. Demolish is the only way forward. At least they are keeping the facade.