SHOWHOMES have been launched at a new housing development on the site of the Blue Bird factory in Hunnington. 

The showhomes on the development called Harvino were launched at an official event earlier this month, which celebrated the site's toffee-making heritage. 

The factory on Bromsgrove Road closed in 1998, after more than 70 years of sweet production with developer Bellway now building 86 homes on the site. 

Margaret Harding and Val Mills, who grew up in the ‘model village’ homes built for factory employees nearby were invited as special guests to the event, alongside Brenda Osbourn, who worked at the factory and whose family also lived on the estate.

Margaret and Val have written a book – Growing Up in Blue Bird’s Garden Village – about their memories of life within the community and its history.

Other members of Romsley and Hunnington History Society, which published the book, were also invited, with treasurer Ruth Harper giving a talk about the history of the factory.

Halesowen News: Ruth Harper talks to visitors outside the showhome at Harvino about the history of the Blue Bird toffee factoryRuth Harper talks to visitors outside the showhome at Harvino about the history of the Blue Bird toffee factory (Image: Handout)

Marie Richards, Sales Director at Bellway West Midlands, said: “Celebrating the history of the site here at our Harvino development was a very fitting way to mark the opening of our showhome.

“The Blue Bird factory is commemorated in the name Harvino, which was the original name of the toffee brand, and we chose this name because we recognise how important this place is to local people who have many memories of its time as a working factory.

“Now this site is entering a new era as a modern neighbourhood of high-quality homes where new neighbours will settle in and new memories will be made.”

Halesowen News: Lauren Hill with showhome visitors Paul Heath and Carly PalmerLauren Hill with showhome visitors Paul Heath and Carly Palmer (Image: Handout)

The names of all the house styles at Harvino development link to the colour blue, in honour of the Blue Bird toffee brand.

The showhomes are the four-bedroom Turquoise and three-bedroom Azure designs.

There are currently three and four-bedroom properties available to reserve at Harvino, with prices starting from £360,000.

Two and five-bedroom houses will be released for sale at a later date.