Housing

Support and guidance for Barbourne Works Apartments

This webpage has been developed to support residents over the coming weeks and months during what will be an incredibly difficult time. These pages will be kept regularly updated.

Latest update – 26 August 2025

First Port sent written communication to all residents on 12 August via their online portal and e-mail system, outlining the latest position with regards to the ongoing temporary arrangements for residents of the second and third floors.

Works to encapsulate the wooden walkway serving the building were on schedule to have been completed by 22 August. Further assessments and surveys have been undertaken over the last few weeks and the results of these will now need to be reviewed.

The developer of the building, the building owner and the resident management company continue to work together to assess the full findings of the survey and assessment work, in order to identify what further works are required, so that these can be completed as quickly as possible.

Residents who continue to be temporarily accommodated by First Port can expect to be contacted by First Port (ICAB) during the week commencing 25 August with confirmation of accommodation arrangements into September.

Worcester City Council’s role is focused on supporting and signposting affected residents in areas such as health and wellbeing, alongside financial and welfare support.

Summary of incident

On 4 June 2025 Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Service (HWFRS) issued a Prohibition Notice on Barbourne Works Apartments due to significant fire safety concerns. The prohibition notice was issued on three parties including -

The freeholder of the building - MB2005 NO1 Limited, a subsidiary of Wallace Partnership Group - represented by Simarc (the landlord’s asset management company)
The Residents Management Company (Barbourne Works Ltd.), and
The Managing Agent acting on behalf of Barbourne Works Ltd (First Port).

The prohibition notice required all 46 flats to be evacuated at short notice at the direction of HWFRS. The evacuation was declared a multi-agency emergency incident and as such Worcester City Council opened a rest centre at Perdiswell Leisure Centre on the evening of 4 June to support displaced residents.

The prohibition notice has now been lifted on the ground and first floors of Barbourne Works Apartments, and a new prohibition notice issued covering second and third floors

Apartments on the ground and first floor have been approved by Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service for reoccupation

Important Note

Information in respect of the service of the prohibition notice and its requirements should be directed to HWFRS, contact details below:

Telephone: 0345 122 4454. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website link: Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service

Information in respect of progress with securing compliance with the prohibition notice should be directed to First Port (acting on behalf of the residents management company) at the contact details below:

Telephone: 0333 321 4080 (Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm). E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Website link: FirstPort Residential Property Management

Current accommodation arrangements

First Port are the single point of contact for organising and managing temporary accommodation arrangements, for leaseholders and renters.

First Port continues to arrange serviced apartment accommodation with the most recent booking made up until 31 August 2025.

The Council is aware that some households will have made their own accommodation arrangements, including staying with family and friends, and if you are unable to return to Barbourne Works Apartments as part of the partial reoccupation of the ground and first floors, it is advised to continue with those arrangements if possible.

If you are unable to continue with such arrangements however, then you should contact First Port in the contact details below.

Financial and welfare support

As a resident of Barbourne Works you should seek your own independent advice on whether you are able to cease or recover any lease or rent payment during the period that you are unable to occupy your home, and how the situation may impact any home or contents insurance you may have
If you are paying Council Tax on your home at Barbourne Works then you should notify Worcester City Council of your circumstances immediately. The Council will review your situation and determine whether you are eligible for a discount. Please contact us on 0300 456 0560 (Mon to Fri 9am – 1.30pm) or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Council may be able to provide short term crisis support for households in receipt of a means tested benefit and who are facing financial hardship, through its Discretionary Welfare Assistance Scheme (DWAS).
The City Council also has a Discretionary Housing Payments scheme which can provide additional financial support to people who currently receive Housing Benefit.
Worcester Citizens Advice may be able to offer you further support and advice and can be contacted on 0808 278 7891 (Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm) or via this website link Worcester Citizens Advice Bureau and Worcester Housing and Benefits Advice Centre

Housing Support & Advice

First Port are providing regular updates including frequently asked questions, and it is advisable to keep up to date with these.

If you require rehousing advice or support then please visit Worcester City Council's Housing Service

Alternatively, you can contact Worcester City Council’s Housing Advice Team on –

01905 722589 (Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm)
Trinity Street Housing Advice Centre, Trinity Street, Worcester WR1 2PW which is open (Mon to Fri 10am-4pm)

In an emergency outside of working hours, please call 01527 910696.

Health & Wellbeing Support

During your stay in emergency accommodation, you may benefit from health & wellbeing support. You can seek advice or obtain assistance from the following organisations via the following website links:

A range of wider agencies contact details and a brief overview of the services that they offer can be found on our Cost of living website page.

School Transport

If your household has children of school age and you need support with school transport during your emergency placement, you should make an application for assistance to Worcestershire County Council, which provides travel assistance to school and colleges. Once your online application has been received, it will be the County Council’s responsibility to assess it and inform you of the outcome.

Application for School Travel Assistance can be found my clicking here.

If you already have arrangements in place, then you should update Worcestershire County Council with any change in accommodation address.

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