A £1.5 million project to convert a 19th century building into a high-end residential care home is set to create up to 35 full and part-time jobs in the West Midlands.
Rectory Care Limited is renovating the former St Cuthbert’s rectory in Donnington, Albrighton, into a 31-bedroom care home, backed by funding from Yorkshire Bank’s Birmingham Financial Solutions Centre (FSC).
The family owned and run company has more than 25 years of experience in the care sector and bought the 15,000 sq ft building last year.
The premises, which is on Rectory Road and dates back to 1835, was previously occupied by Elysium Health and Fitness Club; before the centre went into administration in March 2011.
Owners Mike and Philippa Turner said the rerfurbishment is on course to be completed in April, with the first residents expected to move into The Old Rectory Care Home in May.
The family previously converted a Barnado’s boys home into a 52-bedroom care home in Much Wenlock, Shropshire, in 1994 before selling the business and moving to Canada in 2006.
Mike and Philippa said they were eager to get back into the care sector after moving back to the Midlands last year, and are delighted to have secured backing from Yorkshire Bank to help make their latest venture possible.
Philippa, who will also manage the care home, said: “Yorkshire Bank has been extremely supportive, from the funding and professional advice they have afforded us, to also inviting us to a number of really useful business events related to the care sector.
“We really missed the care industry while we were living in Canada and have been on the look out for a new project to get into, and it is really satisfying to be converting a redundant building which has so much character and history into a high-quality care home.
“The project is moving along really well and we’ll soon be advertising around 35 jobs, which includes care, administration and maintanence positions and also an activities coordinator role.”
Paul Reeves, managing partner at Yorkshire Bank’s Birmingham FSC in Temple Row, said The Old Rectory Care Home will be a tremendous facility which will benefit people across the West Midlands.
He said: “The countryside location of the home while also being close to many towns and cities in the region will make this a hugely popular home..
“Mike and Philippa have a proven track record of developing and operating top class care homes and the transformation which has already been made since the renovation work began is phenomenal.
“Yorkshire Bank is pleased to be providing funding for a project which will breathe new life into an old building which was sitting redundant as well as create a leading care facility and jobs for the area.”