Window refurb project above shopping centre begins

More than 5,000 windows in apartments above a shopping centre in Nottingham are being refurbished.

Nottingham City Council has started work on windows in 464 apartments above the Victoria Centre.

The flats, which house almost 500 residents, were completed in 1972 and remain the tallest building in the city.

Work started before Christmas, and is scheduled to be completed in early 2026.

The work includes ensuring each window's tilt and turn mechanism is functioning, installing new window seals to minimise draughts, replacing glass as necessary and general cleaning.

The windows are being refurbished, rather than replaced, because the process is greener than manufacturing and transporting new ones, and diverts waste from landfill, according to the authority.

The city council said the project would save more than 850 metric tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions - the equivalent of taking almost 200 cars off the road.

Councillor Jay Hayes, the council's portfolio holder for housing, said: "The windows in the flats are ready for an overhaul and residents are keen to see the works start.

"I'm delighted that we're seeing this project getting off the ground, and I'm sure residents will be too."

Work to each flat will take a day on average, to minimise disruption for everyone who lives there.

In addition, the council said the refurbished windows would enhance the building's thermal efficiency, reducing energy bills.

Resident Dave Pitt, who has lived in the Victoria Centre flats for more than 25 years, added: "It's really good news that our ageing windows are to receive attention at last.

"We know how difficult and expensive it would have been to replace them completely, so this refurbishment seems a sensible compromise."

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