Bolt Works, HX1

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The area has lots of amenities such as shops, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, aswell as essential transport links to Leeds and Manchester via bus and train. However the area is quite unsafe with some incidents occurring such as the our buildings front door getting smashed by someone and then a few weeks later the back door has been smashed aswell. The building is incredibly sound proof until you have to open the windows in summer because of the heat. You can hear people in the night clubs until 4-5am shouting, screaming, fighting etc. then you have people revving their engines on the road outside.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Any issues we have raised have been dealt with swiftly. The only issue that causes delayed response is when the doors get smashed. Obviously waiting for parts takes time but it makes the building feel vulnerable and insecure.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish I had known about the night clubs and strip club outside. I also would have spent more time in the town centre to get a proper understanding of the behaviour in town and the kind of people it attracts.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The good: there's loads of shops, cafés, restaurants, and places to eat and drink nearby. 10-minute walk to Halifax station is phenomenal. The bad: it can get very rowdy, especially at night. We never realised quite how many clubs there were around here before moving in, and were particularly surprised to find there's a strip club directly opposite the building, which unfortunately seems to attract the wrong sort of behaviour. It's definitely worse during the summer when you want to keep the windows open. To be fair, the building itself is really well soundproofed, so it does a good job of blocking most of the noise. But after chatting with people on the community bulletin board, it's (sadly) reassuring to know we're not making it up. One resident even said they sleep with earplugs in, which is quite sad to hear. It's a shame because, aside from the nightlife, it's a really convenient area to live.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

The building management have been excellent. They're always quick to respond, and I really appreciate being able to report issues without needing to be at home, especially as we're both often in Manchester for work. Thankfully, we've had very few issues since moving in. A special mention to Sarah, who has been absolutely fantastic throughout. We're genuinely sorry that she and the team have to deal with some of the challenges in the surrounding area, especially when so much care and investment has gone into making this such a lovely place to live.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The main thing we wish we'd known is that parts of the surrounding area can sometimes feel unsafe, particularly along Commercial Street. We've reported concerns to the Council's Community Safety team about groups of people begging, gathering, and occasionally becoming aggressive or fighting amongst themselves. The response we received was disappointing, as we were essentially told that there was little that could be done unless the situation escalated into an immediate emergency. (this was a passing observation). It's important to stress that this isn't a reflection of the building or its management, who have been excellent. However, the behaviour of the local town (people and the type of businesses) in the area can make it feel less welcoming and family friendly than it otherwise could be.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Windows get smashed all the time which is a big negative. We even had to witness this and give a whole police statement. And now recently it’s happened again

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

They responded well but I wish that they had told us more about how things were damaged which we could stay vigilant about

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The trolley they have downstairs to assist new people moving in

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Best place i have lived since i moved to the uk, parking was an issue but recently got a parking slot even though the price is not fair to me. Property manager is nice and ready to help

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

No issues raised yet by me as everything is ok for now

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Nothing actually, was informed about all i needed to know

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

Firstly, there have been several instances of parcels being stolen from inside the building. Additionally, I’ve noticed that both the front and back doors are not always securely locked. This not only causes inconvenience but, more importantly, raises serious safety concerns for me, particularly as a female resident. For example, the front door failed to lock properly when exiting recently, and the issue remained unresolved for over a week. This lack of attention to basic security makes it feel as though our rent is being taken without ensuring essential safety measures are in place. Moreover, the rear combination gate has proven to be another security concern. The locking system is poorly designed, as the latch does not close automatically, leaving the gate insecure. This is another example of a design choice that, frankly, seems to disregard the safety of residents. As a woman, I have to consider the possibility of being followed into the building by strangers every time I use the gate, which greatly impacts my sense of security. My personal safety is of utmost importance, and I feel that more attention should be given to this issue. In addition to these concerns, the parking situation remains problematic. Some individuals are using parking spaces without paying, and there have been reports of people parking in disabled spaces without the appropriate permits. The reason this continues is that everyone seems to know the access code, which, given the lack of control, is hardly surprising. It feels incredibly unfair that residents who pay for their parking spaces are facing this issue, while others are parking for free with no consequences. My neighbours have expressed similar frustrations, wondering why they are paying when others are not. As residents who are paying for parking spaces, I would appreciate clarification as to why others are allowed to park for free, particularly in designated disabled spots. It seems that the company has been slow to address these matters, and I would kindly request a prompt resolution to ensure fairness and security for all residents. While I would like to acknowledge that our site manager has been very helpful, it is becoming increasingly apparent that PlaceFirst has been slow to address the concerns outlined above, which has led to growing frustration among residents.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Response to address taken far to long, we are yet to see changes 😕

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

As a woman living here, I can’t help but feel concerned about the lack of security, especially with the antisocial behaviour that often takes place in the town centre most nights people shouting and swearing. It really makes me feel uneasy. With the security measures not being up to standard, it leaves me feeling even more vulnerable. It’s especially disappointing when I think about the high rent we’re paying for this area. I truly expected more consideration for our safety and peace of mind 🙄