"We knew they would take a 15-year lease, but of course, by then the market had crashed, so we had twelve months to decide if we should proceed with the
refurb, which we reckoned would cost us close to pounds 2 million."
Energy: TV's Kevin McCloud opens Grand Designs Live at the NEC, where he promoted the Green British
Refurb campaign.
Held by Richard Keenan & Co Ltd, many of the "
refurbs" on display were sold on the day, and with prices ranging from pounds 5,000 to pounds 14,000 there was a great deal of choice for buyers.
Paul, 30, added: "We had a trial run over the weekend to give staff a bit of training - all the customers are buzzing over it, especially the locals after waiting for so long for the
refurb.
Official sources say the
refurb is being paid for by the Royal Family.
Kevin says one of the key ways to push forward the aims of the Great British
Refurb is to encourage communities to work together on energysaving projects.
Terry - who worked as a stores manager for Middlesbrough Council but is now semi retired - said he's noticed the improvement since the
refurb.
Michael Jack, the committee's Conservative chairman, said: "The Gover nment told us earlier this year it has plans for a 'Great British
Refurb' to provide basic insulation in all UK homes.
This is the key aim of the Great British
Refurb' Campaign, which is supported by WWF, the Energy Savings Trust, UK Green Building Council and Grand Designs Magazine.
Had they been a touch hotter and crispier, they certainly wouldn't have needed the
refurb's bonus points to confirm the fourth star.
Responsible to Mr Arnold not only for the whole of the new build and
refurb programme, but for maintenance too, is regional property controller Alan Charlton, whose staff, together with technical services general manager Robin Patterson, monitor the 24/7 rapid response performance of appointed facilities managers Morris & Spottiswood.
"I wanted a healthier feeding system for the cows, and the Keenan
Refurb was the affordable option for my type of farm."