Bluebrick Care has announced the transfer of a purpose built care home in Louth, Lincolnshire, to the Hull-based, not for profit care company The HICA Group. Opened in 2012, The Wolds Care Centre provides en-suite accommodation for 66 people, together with a range of facilities including an on-site café and cinema.
The home has been transferred to The HICA Group on a new 30 year lease. Bluebrick Group have retained the freehold interest, which will complement the company’s diverse portfolio of investments across a number of sectors. Mike Bullas, founder of Bluebrick Group commented, “We have been very proud of the quality of care and environment provided at The Wolds Care Centre since we built and opened the home. Whilst we are sorry to see the operation leave the group, we are sure that the HICA team will continue to deliver a first class service to the families of Louth and the surrounding area for many years to come.”
The home, which is rated as ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), will add a further 66 beds to The HICA Group’s portfolio, which includes 16 other care homes, 11 for older people and 5 for people with a learning disability. These sit alongside their 4 domiciliary care branches, supporting over ten thousand hours of care and support in the community each week week and their two purpose-built retirement villages.
Terry Peel, Chief Executive Officer of The HICA Group said: “We are extremely pleased to have added The Wolds Care Centre to the HICA Family. I would like to extend a warm welcome to the residents, staff and family members and we look forward to working alongside them. We have been working closely with Bluebrick Care for several weeks to ensure we achieve a smooth transfer of services.
“We are impressed with Bluebrick Care and their local management and staff team. They have incredibly high standards and are clearly passionate about the care of residents. We will work closely with all staff, residents and loved ones to continue the excellent work that’s already been done.”
The deal was arranged by specialist care sector advisers Healthcare Property Consultants Ltd. Bluebrick were advised by Keebles LLP law firm and Hawsons chartered accountants, with HICA advised by Windles Solicitors.
Angela Swift Developments Group (ASDG) has appointed its interior design team for the next three new care homes in Carlisle, Harrogate and St Helen’s.
Together the three developments have a total value of over £30m and will provide residential, dementia and respite care for elderly people.
Construction of the Carlisle care home will start in spring 2021 with completion expected in summer 2022. All bedrooms will be en suite and facilities will include a hairdressing salon, treatment room, library, coffee shop, activity rooms, balconies overlooking adjacent parkland and landscaped gardens.
Subject to planning consent the Harrogate and St Helen’s developments will begin later next year with completion expected in late 2022.
Angela Swift, managing director of ASDG said: “These are much needed state-of-the-art care developments. The pandemic has demonstrated even more the urgent need for facilities such as this, providing fully en suite accommodation for residents to be able to isolate within their own rooms if required, as well as having access to outdoor space.
“When complete we anticipate the homes will create over 250 full and part-time jobs.”
The interior design concept for the Carlisle home has been influenced by nature in the local parkland and the nearby Solway coast, the russet colour of the red sandstone and brick of buildings such as Carlisle Castle and the mills, the character of the Guildhall and the opulence of the Cathedral.
