The Blue Bird Toffee Factory Returns with New Homes and a Community Celebration

One of Hunnington’s most familiar landmarks - the Blue Bird Toffee Factory - is being brought back to life. Once a proud symbol of local craft and care, the site is now at the centre of a thoughtful redevelopment that will see the factory’s Welfare Building restored and reimagined as just thirteen new homes. To mark this milestone, the doors will open for the first time in decades on Saturday 22nd November, inviting local people to come together for a community celebration and exclusive first look at the project in progress. The event will feature heritage displays, design projections and the chance for visitors to share their own stories of Blue Bird - preserving the memories that shaped a building loved by generations. Andy Butts, Managing Director at Miller Rose, said:
“For so many people, Blue Bird is more than a name - it’s a feeling. It represents hard work, community, innovation and pride. To see it being cared for again, with such attention to detail, is really special. This event is about more than showing plans or progress; it’s about bringing people back together to celebrate something that still matters.”
Kate Neal-Smith, Director at Marsden KIWI, added:
“We’ve approached this project with a huge sense of respect. The Blue Bird Toffee Factory holds real emotional weight in this area, and our aim has always been to keep that spirit alive while creating homes that people will love for the next hundred years. The Welfare Building is where that story begins again - you can feel the history in its walls.”
Dean Grove, Director at Grove, commented:
“It’s rare to work on something that means so much to a community. Seeing the excitement around Blue Bird returning has been incredible - the event will be a celebration of the past and a glimpse into the future.”
Reservations for the Welfare Building’s thirteen homes will be available exclusively to those attending the event. Each home within the Welfare Building has been designed to echo the rhythm and craft of factory life - with names inspired by the spirit of production and process. Homes such as Press, Assembly and Atelier pay tribute to the building’s industrious heritage, while their interiors reflect calm, contemporary living - light-filled spaces finished with natural materials and refined detailing. Situated in the heart of Hunnington, the redevelopment enjoys a location that’s both peaceful and connected. The village sits moments from Hagley, Clent and Belbroughton, offering countryside calm within easy reach of the city. Birmingham is around twenty minutes away by road or rail, placing work, culture and everyday convenience close to home - while still surrounded by open views and a true sense of community. The redevelopment is being delivered by Marsden KIWI, a Birmingham-based design and build agency known for its sensitive, design-led approach to heritage spaces, with Miller Rose and Grove jointly appointed as sales agents for the Welfare Building.

Event Details

Date: Saturday 22nd November 2025 Location: The Blue Bird Toffee Factory, Hunnington
What to expect:
  • Heritage projections and archive photography
  • Design displays, textures and finishes
  • Story collection and memory sharing from local residents
  • A look inside the Welfare Building redevelopment
  • Opportunity to reserve homes ahead of public release

Blue Bird Open House Weekend - Register Interest

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About the Blue Bird Toffee Factory Redevelopment

Completed in 1925, the Blue Bird Toffee Factory was once a thriving part of Hunnington life - known for its craftsmanship, its people and the sweet scent that drifted through the village. The Welfare Building served as a social hub for workers, a place to share meals, laughter and dances. One hundred years later, that same building is being reimagined for a new century, and new way of life amid the rolling countryside - a collection of design-led new homes that honour its past while looking confidently to the future. The project celebrates the heritage of Hunnington while introducing a new story of care, creativity and community.

About Marsden Kiwi 

For over 15 years, Kiwi has been a trusted name in the high-end private residential market, delivering bespoke, luxurious homes across the Midlands. Known for meticulous attention to detail, superior craftsmanship and a personal, design-led approach, the business has built a reputation for creating homes that blend timeless design with modern innovation.  In 2021, the firm expanded into the new-build and development sector through a partnership with a private investor and latterly formalised the relationship through introducing Marsden Kiwi Homes. The partnership combines design and construction expertise with investment strength - a collaboration built on shared values of quality, creativity and care.  Today, Marsden Kiwi specialises in developing properties on carefully selected sites, chosen for their unique character and exceptional locations. Every home begins with thoughtful land selection and a deep understanding of how people live - resulting in developments that balance beauty, practicality and a genuine sense of place.  Whether transforming heritage landmarks like the Blue Bird Toffee Factory or creating contemporary homes from the ground up, Marsden Kiwi continues to redefine and improve the quality of new homes through craftsmanship, innovation and integrity. Explore more at  marsdenkiwi.com

About Miller Rose

Miller Rose helps families, investors, and developers make better property decisions with more honesty, more clarity, and less hype. Founded in 2025 following a management buyout, the Birmingham agency operates across investment sales, new homes, residential sales and lettings, land services, and development consultancy - with one team connecting solutions that other agencies keep separate. The team applies the same standards to every service: honest advice, rigorous vetting, and recommendations they would back themselves. Based in Birmingham and serving the local sales and lettings market, with investment, land, and development services operating across the UK and internationally. Explore more at millerrose.co.uk

About Grove Properties Group - Land & New Homes

Part of one of the Midlands’ leading estate agents, Grove Properties Group, our Land & New Homes division provides a specialised service in New Home Sales. Our experienced and knowledgeable team is supported by the Residential Sales staff at our Hagley and Halesowen offices, offering comprehensive coverage across the West Midlands and Worcestershire areas - and beyond. https://www.grovepropertiesgroup.co.uk/our-offices/land-new-homes/branch

Media:

For more information or for interview requests please email helen.brookes@demandgenerationteam.co.uk