Oakbridge Retirement Villages LLP -the joint venture company which is building the £45 million Buckshaw Retirement Village at Chorley -has now appointed the person responsible for commissioning the new village.

In his new role as Assistant Operations Director, Philip Hill will oversee everything at the Buckshaw Retirement Village -from on-site services to the move-in process for residents.

With Buckshaw's state-of-the-art supported living facility for people with dementia and Alzheimer's, The Lodge, due to open in April, Mr Hill is already hard at work making final arrangements for the launch.

Buckshaw Retirement Village also comprises two other distinct communities, which are due to open in the Autumn. The Court is for residents who are active and independent but like the idea of home ownership in a village community, and The Grange is for residents who need some support but don't want to give up their independence and move into a care home.

When Buckshaw Retirement Village is fully up and running, Mr Hill will carry out similar commissioning operations at other retirement villages being planned by Oakbridge, who are planning to open an average of three villages each year.

Mr Hill welcomed the challenges of his new role: "Oakbridge Retirement Villages is a new and major venture and I'm delighted to be involved from the beginning. It's exciting to have Buckshaw as my first village to commission because it will be providing the next generation of dementia and Alzheimer's care and will be the most advanced facility of its type in Europe."

"It will feature the latest technology, the latest in building design and the best staff to ensure that we really enhance people's lives," he added.

At the heart of The Lodge is an innovative Market Square that has been created to stimulate the senses and give residents a sense of independence. There's a tea shop, village pub, potting shed, corner shop, bakery, hair and beauty salon, cinema and pet store.

 "Oakbridge are due to announce further retirement villages in the coming months for the North West and East Riding of Yorkshire, so the momentum is really building now," said Mr Hill.

Before joining Oakbridge Retirement Villages, Mr Hill spent four years as Regional Manager with a Midlands-based provider of retirement villages.

A Marketing Suite is open daily at Buckshaw Retirement Village between
10 am and 5 pm. Tel 0845 094 5050.