Insurer AXA steps in to provide for flood-hit Stockport residents for a week
Following a meeting with Stockport Council on Friday (10 January), insurance company AXA has agreed to provide suitable accommodation for Meadow Mill residents for the next seven days.
Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “I’m pleased that AXA has finally stepped up and done the right thing for residents. This has been an incredibly difficult time for those affected and ensuring they have somewhere safe and warm to stay is welcome news ahead of residents returning to their homes safely as soon as possible.”
“The Council welcomes this decision and will remain in close contact with AXA and other parties to ensure residents receive the help they need.”
Hunter and his chief executive Michael Cullen had slammed as ‘unacceptable’ the lack of response from the owner of apartment building Meadow Mill, which was blighted by floods on New Year’s Day, leaving many residents in “desperation”.
They wrote to AXA, managing agent CERT and all “organisations we believe are responsible” for the ownership, management and buildings insurance at Meadow Mill.
They claim many residents of the apartments in the mill conversion were struggling without clear guidance on insurance claims or temporary accommodation.
“This delay is unacceptable, and we urge all parties to act swiftly to provide the support and information residents need.”
The 213 apartment building in Stockport is owned by Awa, its management company is CERT and the insurer is AXA.
On its website property management company CERT describes Meadow Mill as a 150,000 sq ft property, that has been transformed into 213 residential apartments and 5 commercial units. “The site features 170 parking spaces and extensive exterior grounds, creating a vibrant community space for its residents and businesses.”
CERT claims its management at Meadow Mill “reflects our commitment to operational excellence, financial efficiency, and community-centric practices.”
In a statement last week it said:
On Friday the 10th of January CERT said the building’s owner had brought in a “specialist disaster recovery consultant to manage the recovery process” and hoped to have power restored to the communal landlord areas of the building by Monday the 13th of January.
“We have been in daily contact with all leaseholders, and their agents, since the event, and we are delivering daily updates to all leaseholders with the most up to date position on how the works are progressing,” the company said.
