News
Sussex group secures finance for second home
Country Living Care Group, a family-run care home business based in Sussex, has purchased a second property after securing finance with Allica Bank. Owned and run by husband-and-wife team Will and Deborah Andrews, Country Living has been operating Country Lodge Nursing Home in Worthing since 2019. Having set their eyes on a second care home in East Sussex, Will and Deborah secured finance from Tom Easton at Allica Bank, a challenger business bank dedicated especially to supporting established businesses, to purchase Alfriston Court near Eastbourne. Dr Will Andrews, owner of Country Living Care Group, said: “We know what it takes to build up a care home that stands out both for the quality of care given and the beauty of the surroundings. The peace of mind this brings
to residents and their families is enormous and we were keen to offer this same standard to residents at Alfriston Court. Being let down at the last minute by our previous bank left us feeling disappointed that we wouldn’t be able to do this.
“Working with Tom and the team at Allica Bank has been a breath of fresh air. They have a common-sense, human approach. They took the time to understand our business and our plans for growth, and found us the finance we needed. Now we can grow Country Living Care Group and offer more residents a care home that is centred on their needs. “We are looking forward to becoming part of the Alfriston community and are very grateful for the warm welcome we’ve had so far!” Tom Easton, relationship manager at Allica Bank, commented: “Businesses like Country Living are under-served by the high street banks and, as was the case here, often left unable to access finance and grow. At Allica Bank we assess each business – no matter how complex – on its individual merits and I was pleased to find a way to make this work. “Country Living provides a vital service to residents and their families and has demonstrated that their model works. We were therefore proud to help Country Living purchase a second property. It was a pleasure working with Deborah and Will and I look forward to continuing to support their business.”
Affinity Care acquires Solihull home with HSBC funding
Family-owned Affinity Care Consortium has acquired a Solihull care home with the support of a funding package from HSBC UK. The acquisition of 50-bed Silver Birches care home marks the next step in the Sherwood-based group’s growth strategy. Silver Birches will be refreshed and modernised, including a full redecoration and technological upgrade.
The acquisition comes as part of Affinity Care Consortium’s plan to open six homes in the West Midlands by 2025, in addition to its existing site in Coventry – Coundon Manor – as well as five other services across Stoke-on- Trent and Staffordshire.
As a result, Affinity Care Consortium is
forecasting a £2.5 million annual increase in turnover, with 60 new permanent roles expected to be created.
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Affinity Care Consortium co-owner Tanzeel Younas said: “Buying Silver Birches marks a pivotal milestone in our strategic expansion into Birmingham and Solihull. Our vision is to breathe new life into existing homes through modernisation and enhancement, while simultaneously pioneering new services in the region to cater to those in need.” David Subba, healthcare sector lead for Thames Valley & Solent at HSBC UK, added: “We are very proud to be able to support the growth ambitions of Affinity Care Consortium, particularly as in doing so the care facilities for residents in Solihull are being improved. The healthcare sector needs regular investment to ensure facilities are suitable for increasing numbers in need of support and HSBC UK are keen to support this wherever possible.”
Mercroft Estates to build two new homes
Mercroft Estates – a joint venture between care developers Mercian Group and Barcroft Estates – is to build two new care homes.
The new homes will offer 72 beds in Sherford, Devon, and 71 beds in Market Drayton, North East Shropshire. Each will feature en suite wet rooms and communal spaces such as lounges, private dining rooms, cinemas, and beauty salons. With sustainability a key consideration, the design of the new homes will allow for air source heat pumps, solar panels, and EV charging points. Occupying a prominent location in the heart of the award-winning new community of Sherford, construction is expected to commence on the new care home in early 2025, subject to planning, with the facility opening in 2026. Close to the centre of the historic market town, the Market Drayton scheme, subject to planning, is expected to follow a similar timeline. Chris Towers, director at Mercroft Estates and Mercian Group, said: “We are making excellent progress on our two premier care home schemes in Sherford and Market Drayton, which, in turn, will bring much-needed modern care facilities and new local jobs to their respective areas. Mercian Group is pleased to partner with Barcroft Estates on these and other joint venture care projects in the pipeline and look forward to sharing more details as plans progress.” Andy Barton, director at Mercroft Estates and Barcroft Estates, said: “Our joint venture as Mercroft Estates brings together our considerable combined experience and strengths across the whole development process, from site acquisition to project delivery, and is reflected in the pipeline of high quality bespoke care home schemes that we are now bringing forward.”
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com September 2024
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