Work has already begun on the 20 apartments on the brownfield site on Stourbridge Road. Now the Halesowen-based developer has received national recognition for its striking design for the site, which is in between the railway bridge and Rainbow Palace restaurant, opposite Stambermill Close. The scheme, called Zest, has been shortlisted for the Award for Design Excellence as part of the Planning Awards 2021. A spokesman for the firm said: Ruskin Properties builds good quality homes for private rent within the Black Country. The new homes are built using direct labour rather than using sub-contractors. This supports the employment of local people, whilst also providing quality new homes for the local market.
THE DESCENDANTS of shopkeeper James Hobbs gave the restored former hardware shop their seal of approval at its official opening. The former Hobbs hardware store unit at 27, Great Cornbow, has been restored to its former glory by developer Ruskin Properties and is now the official office for the Halesowen BID team. James Hobbs granddaughters, twins Dorothy and Mary, were invited by the BID team Vicky Rogers and Ellie Hunt to join them for tea and cake and to assess the work that has been carried out on the building. The site remains close to their hearts as Halesowen residents and frequent visitors to the town centre.
THE PATRIOTIC spirit of St George s Day came to Halesowen town centre with traders, shoppers and even workmen celebrating England s patron saint. Ruskin workers completing building work on the old council building got involved in the fun by showing off their dance moves in a TikTok video. Staff from HSBC handed out flags in Somer s Square and Halesowen BID manager Vicky Rogers distributed red and white cup cakes to shoppers as they enjoyed the sun on Friday (April 23). BID manager Vicky Rogers hands out cup cakes to shoppers Age UK on Queensway dressed its window to celebrate the day and Options Barbers got into the spirit - decorating the salon with St George’s flags.