Torus Group was delighted to welcome Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Minister for Energy Consumers and (Liverpool City Region) Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and representatives from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Liverpool City Region Combined recently to the Kirk Street flats in Everton to celebrate the completion of a significant £1.6 million investment retrofit and refurbishment project.

This project involved comprehensive fabric improvements to 42 flats to enhance energy efficiency and improve thermal comfort of homes.

The celebration included tenants from the Kirk Street flats, who joined in the unveiling of a commemorative plaque marking the successful completion of the retrofit and refurbishment efforts. The project was completed in June 2024 and is part of a broader initiative involving 12 projects that includes 695 Torus homes across the Liverpool City Region and Warrington. These efforts aim to improve energy efficiency, enhance the health and wellbeing of tenants, and contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions.

The Kirk Street project saw experienced retrofit contractors Ecogee install a range of home energy improvements including solar PV panels, external wall insulation, new windows, external doors, ventilation and roofing, all designed to lower tenants' future energy consumption. Additional upgrades included internal and external communal decoration, and a communal TV system upgrade.

Beyond the physical improvements, Torus tenants will benefit from bespoke energy advice and information provided by the Torus’s Home Energy Accelerator Team (HEAT) and supported by the Group's charitable arm, Torus Foundation.

Kirk Street before and after

The project was made possible through funding secured from a successful bid led by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) awarded by the Government's Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), via the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF Wave2.1). Torus was awarded £6 million in March 2023, which was supplemented by an additional £15.4 million from Torus itself, bringing the total investment in energy improvement works to approximately £22 million.

Steve Coffey, Torus Group Chief Executive said:

"Kirk Street represents a significant investment for Torus, and we are proud to see it recognised by DESNZ as a leading example of retrofit in Liverpool.

"This £1.6 million project demonstrates our commitment to invest in our existing homes while also supporting the local economy in North Liverpool. Our efforts the Group’s wider environmental sustainability strategy and aligns with the Liverpool City Council's masterplan to transform the area."

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:

“The improvements made to these properties in Everton demonstrate the day-to-day impact of our £105m retrofit programmme. Fitting these energy efficiency measures is driving down energy costs, reducing emissions and making residents’ homes warmer, as we approach the colder weather.

“To date our retrofit programme has helped thousands of households across our area to save hundreds of pounds on their energy bills and enabled us to dramatically reduce household carbon emissions across the region.

“We’re determined to continue to retrofit as many homes as we can, protecting even more households from rising energy bills and reducing their carbon emissions along the way.”

Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said:

“Kirk Street is a wonderful example of the kinds of partnership I want to see more of – with government working hand in hand with local partners to deliver transformative home upgrades.

“That is why we will roll out a proper Warm Homes Plan in collaboration with communities across the country, supporting families to insulate their homes, switch to cleaner heating and finally cut their energy bills.”

L to R: Miatta Fahnbulleh MP (Minister for Energy Consumers) Steve Coffey (Torus Group Chief Executive) Steve Rotheram (Liverpool City Region Mayor), Margaret Goddard (Group Assets Director) Selvin Brown (Director of Net Zero Building Domestic) Katherine Fairclough (Chief Executive Liverpool City Region Combined Authority)

All schemes are expected to be completed in the Summer of 2025. Find out more about the SHDF retrofit projects at torus.co.uk/SHDFRetrofit