WORK to convert a former medical centre into apartments is gaining pace in Redditch, with the first residents expected to move in within months.

Building work to convert the former Churchill Medical Centre building into a modern block of 19 apartments is entering its final stretch.

It is hoped to be completed by the middle of February, with the first occupants moving in soon after.

It has been a labour of love for a family building business, who have been working on the project for the past four years.

Northfield based IYBS Ltd, run by Ian Young with help from his wife Louise, has overcome the hurdles of the Covid-19 pandemic and obstacles such as material shortages and even bats, to see the project to completion.

As the project enters its final weeks, Louise said: “For Ian it was a really good project and he really wanted to do it. He knew the potential of the building and thought it was a crying shame it was being left to fall down around its ears and we could do so much with it.

“It’s our first major project on our own and it has been a massive learning curve. Life has not made it easy.”

The couple took ownership of the building 12 months ago, but work stalled when a bat, which have protected status, was discovered living in the building.

The pandemic has also seen building material shortages and prices rocket, adding extra complications to the project.

Once completed, the new-look building will house 19 one-bedroom studio apartments.

Louise said the project has been supported by neighbours who wanted to see the building brought back into use.

She added: “Once it got started it’s been a positive reaction once people have seen what we are doing.”