York’s Chocolate Works wins Best Care Village in the UK at London Award Ceremony.

Pictured collecting the award (left to right): Phil Rhodes, Simpson’s of York; Julie Smyth, Norr Architects; Sir Geoff Hurst; Graeme Lee, Group CEO, Springfield Healthcare; Jay Bavington, Estates Manager, Springfield Healthcare; Lyth Watson, Director of Development, Octopus Healthcare.

Springfield Healthcare Group are proud to announce that The Chocolate Works Care Village has won the prestigious Pinders Healthcare Design Award for “Best Care Village” in the UK.

The award was presented to Graeme Lee, Group CEO of Springfield, at a ceremony at the Lancaster London Hotel in Westminster on Wednesday 14th March. The unique and aspirational setting for residential, nursing and dementia care beat off impressive competition from around the UK to be crowned the winner.

The award was presented by Sir Geoff Hurst, former West Ham and England international footballer and to this day the only scorer of a hat-trick in a world cup final when England won the World Cup in 1966.

The judges were impressed with the sympathetic way this iconic building has been preserved and given a new lease of life, combining original character with modern-day innovation. They commented “residents can experience the changing seasons and time of day as they enjoy a stroll through the gardens, sit under the oak tree or visit one of the many shops, pub, hairdressers, coffee bar or cinema beneath the vast glazed atrium – the cinema doubles as a well-being room with a Coelux rooflight reproducing the visual effects of the sun and sky. Apparently, everyone living there has rated it as being ‘All Gold’!

Graeme Lee, Group CEO said “Today was a fantastic day for Springfield Healthcare and also for the amazing team including architects Norr, builders Simpsons of York and project managers, Projex, who helped make the vision a reality. As a long established family business, an award like this means a great deal as it is a testament to the hard work, passion, and commitment of such a lot of people.”

Winning architect Julie Smyth of Norr Architects added, “The design philosophy was to create a unique, pioneering and stimulating village with compassionate care at its heart. The building needed to facilitate the provision of safe care above everything whilst maintaining quality of life for residents, within a homely environment. I am delighted with the Pinders award which confirms that we have achieved all of this.”