Methodist Homes acquire 100 beds

HPC has announced the transfer of two high quality purpose built elderly care homes in Wath-on-Dearne, South Yorkshire to Methodist Homes at the end of May.

Constructed during the last decade, Sandygate and Beeches provide high quality purpose built single en-suite bedroom accommodation to the Dearne Valley population. Previously held on a leasehold basis, with sister home Highgrove, the operating company were taken into administration during the latter end of 2010. Acting on the instruction of the administrators, FRP Advisory, HPC (Healthcare Property Consultants Ltd) undertook a short and successful marketing campaign with interest forthcoming from a mix of national and regional corporate operators as well as speculative local entrepreneurs. Following a lengthy CQC registration process, the business was ultimately transacted to Methodist Homes who saw the homes as an ideal opportunity to further their strategy of providing high quality accommodation to all sectors of society. As a result of the existing relationship between HPC and the property freeholder, WH Estates Group, a secondary transaction was negotiated in order to provide Methodist Homes with both property and business.

The homes lie within the metropolitan borough of Rotherham, with the local authority funding many of the existing service users. “Although the deal was struck in late 2010”, commented Nigel Newton Taylor (Director of HPC), “any concerns held by interested parties in respect of forthcoming fee cuts have been well and truly allayed. HPC research into the 2011/12 local authority fee reviews shows that Rotherham MBC’s fee increase of 3% is amongst the highest in the country. This will undoubtedly play a part in the future success of these high quality homes in the hands of Methodist Homes”.