Fiona Phillips 'impressed' by homely retirement home (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Fiona Phillips chats to residents at pioneering £6m development

12:20pm Thursday 24th January 2013 in News By Barbara Jordan

TV celebrity Fiona Phillips popped in for a chat with great gran Joyce Mitchell in her plush new Widnes apartment.

She sat down on the sofa and told her she wished her own parents could have lived in such a homely retirement home, which has its own bistro, lounge, hair and beauty salon and spa therapy.

Opening £6 milion Naughton Fields, Fiona Phillips said: “I’m really impressed with these first class facilities. It really does feel like a home.

“Halton Housing Trust should be extremely proud of what they have achieved here.”

Widow Joyce, aged 73, said: “Fiona was lovely. Her mum and dad had Alzheimers. She said she would loved them to have a place like this.”

Joyce lost her husband, Mike, a taxi driver, two years ago.

They lived in Deepdale, Hough Green, for 27 years and were married for 51 years.

Mum-of-two Joyce, who has five grandchildren and six great grandchildren, said: “I didn’t want to leave my house but I was scared being alone at night.

“I sleep much better here. It’s like a five-star hotel. We’ve got a bistro where we meet for breakfast and I’ve had my nails done in the salon. It’s heaven.

“My friends were worried about me having to leave my home but when they came here, they couldn’t believe it.

“My spare room’s been booked since I came here.”

Joyce’s three-bedroom home has now been given to a family.

Buyers and renters occupy 47 two bedroom apartments in Liverpool Road.

The Olive Tree bistro and hair and beauty salon are open to the public.