Time flies when you’re busy building award-winning homes, this week we celebrate our 30th birthday. A significant milestone which commemorates thirty years since Mark Barrett, Founder of Risby Homes, first broke ground on his inaugural development Old Beck Court off Grovehill Road in Beverley.
Over the past 30 years, we’re proud to have created 20 vibrant communities across Beverley and East Yorkshire and are excited our latest development takes us back to the market town where our story first began, as we extend our Figham Gate development to the south-east of Beverley.
Reflecting on our journey over the past three decades, Mark Barrett, Founder and Managing Director, explained: “Our first development, Old Beck Court, a development of eight, 2-bedroom homes in Beverley was a huge step and a massive learning curve for us as we transformed an old car park and storage area into our first community of high quality contemporary homes.
“As demand for homes in Beverley grew, we embarked on the development of five consecutive projects in the area and were proud to be the first housing developers to develop land on the south side of Beverley Beck kick starting the regeneration of this area.”
Since 1993 we’ve built communities in Hessle, Cherry Burton, South Cave, Cottingham, Welton, Walkington and Little Weighton. From large family homes on the site of a former railway goods yard to custom-designed residences, we swiftly garnered a reputation for crafting homes of exceptional quality.
Mark continued: “Adapting to the changing needs of modern families has been vital to our success, it’s incredibly important to listen to buyers responding to how they live.
“At the time we were building our Hessle and Welton communities, Hull City were in the Premier League. This massively impacted the market and led to a focus on more spacious, customised homes with additional design features and bespoke options including built in TVs at the end of the baths, which was a novelty in 2012.
Over the years we’ve continued to listen to buyers and adapt to the market. At our latest development, The Vines in Cottingham, a community of 57 homes, we’ve given buyers the opportunity to transform the space above their garage into an additional room. A new feature which was introduced following changes to how people lived following the pandemic.
Mark continued: “Remaining true to our roots as a family firm, we’ve always been guided by family values, which is why I’m delighted to have been joined in the business by my two children Olly and Amy.
“Looking back, if I could offer advice to my younger self, it would be to always factor in a contingency because everything takes longer than expected. Even after thirty years, unforeseen challenges continue to crop up. But this is when having a great team helps.
“Maintaining good relationships with employees and suppliers has been key to our success, and we look forward to celebrating this occasion with them.”
In an industry as competitive as housing development, thriving three decades later is a remarkable achievement. Happy 30th Birthday to everyone at Risby Homes.
For more information about our latest developments in Cottingham and Beverley visit the development page of our website.