Key elements in Bjuv’s development

It was in 2016 that Bjuv, in north-western Skåne, suffered a major blow when Findus shut down its pea and food production. However, Bjuv bounced back quickly, and where the factory once stood, a thriving food cluster comprising several independent companies has now taken root.

In the same area, Selleberga, Bjuv Municipality purchased 118 hectares of Findus’s land, which is now zoned for up to 6,000 homes. And it is there that Hemsö is now building a brand-new special housing facility for the elderly, comprising 80 apartments across three floors, with occupancy scheduled for spring 2027.

Mini-arena

At the same time – next to the Varagård School – Hemsö is also building a new 2,700-square-metre sports hall. Or perhaps we should call it a mini-arena, given all the possibilities the hall will offer. It is due to be completed in autumn 2026.

– It’s really needed. The schools require the new hall to deliver physical education and health lessons in the best possible way. Furthermore, our talented associations – ranging from floorball and gymnastics to wrestling and drill teams – lack a full-size, flexible hall with generous spaces, extra ceiling height and seating for 300 spectators in the stands.

Around 2022, the Municipality was in great need of LSS housing. Hemsö managed to deliver it within a year, and that marked the start of a trusting business relationship. The need for both specialist housing for the elderly and a full-size sports hall deepened the partnership.

– Hemsö won both tenders. “I can confirm that our staff appreciate Hemsö’s expertise, punctuality and reliability,” continues Kenneth Bolinder.

A good combination

Kenneth Bolinder highlights the challenges faced by smaller municipalities as demands for services and care increase due to both a growing and ageing population.

– Given our financial situation, we have chosen to combine self-funding with leasing. Allowing Hemsö to build and then leasing with an option to buy after the lease period is a perfect solution. Quite simply, a win-win.

The same applies to the expertise required to manage this type of large, complex construction project.

Even with the new sports hall in place, Bjuv will retain its existing sports halls. They will still be needed in the future. The same applies to the existing care homes, with the difference that they can be converted into dedicated dementia care homes or assisted living facilities.

– These two projects mean so much to associations, young people, the elderly and staff. But also to the whole of Bjuv. We will grow and develop positively with them.