Former Stevenage resident Brian Piggott is all smiles after winning a competition to name a new development of luxury retirement apartments on Letchmore Road in Old Town Stevenage
Mr Piggott was presented with a cheque for £100 at a naming ceremony for the new Astonia Lodge development of 38 apartments from Churchill Retirement Living. Mr Piggott, who now lives in Northamptonshire was born in Stevenage and is hoping to move back to the area with his wife to be closer to family.
He explained: “I had lived in Stevenage until my early teens and still have family nearby so when my wife and I started considering downsizing we thought it would be nice to move back to the area. I enquired about the new Churchill apartments and was then told about the competition to name the development; so decided to enter.
“I suggested Astonia Lodge because that was the name of the old cinema which was built on the site in 1935. As a child we lived just down the road and I remember going to Saturday morning matinee film showings there. I was absolutely delighted to win and I think the name Astonia Lodge is a fitting tribute to the history of the site.”
Yvette Christy, Regional Marketing Executive from Churchill Retirement Living said: “We were delighted that Mr Piggott suggested a name that not only has personal significance for him but which also resonates so well in the local community.
“Astonia Lodge is an exciting development of 38 one and two bedroom apartments which will provide much–needed accommodation for older people in the local area. Like all of our developments, it will offer safe and independent living close to local shops and amenities.
“With the name officially announced, we will soon be holding a preview event where local people who are interested in retirement living can enquire about the accommodation and what help is on offer to make the move as easy as possible.”
The Astonia Lodge sales centre is due to open in early 2016.