A £1.5 million project to convert a 19th century building into a residential care home has been completed in the West Midlands, thanks to funding from Yorkshire Bank in Birmingham.
Rectory Care Limited has opened The Old Rectory Care Home in Donnington, Albrighton, following seven months of renovation work on the former St Cuthbert’s rectory.
The 31-bedroom care home has been funded with backing from Yorkshire Bank’s Birmingham Business Banking Centre on Temple Row.
The 15,000 sq ft building was bought by Mike and Philippa Turner last year after the former Elysium Health and Fitness Club centre went into administration in March 2011.
The family has assembled a team of 12 staff to run the centre, which when fully occupied could lead to 35 jobs being created.
Mike and Philippa, who together have more than 25 years of experience in the care sector, said they are delighted to open the home after months of hard work.
Philippa, who is also managing the care home, said: “It is tremendous to finally open the doors to our first residents. A lot of work has gone into making this possible and we’re delighted with the final result.
“We’ve been out of the care industry for a while after we moved to Canada, and ever since we returned last year we set our hearts on making this project possible.
“Yorkshire Bank has supported us tremendously along the way, from providing funding along with professional advice throughout the process.
“The interior of the building is almost unrecognisable from when we first started the renovation and it was a proud day when we opened the doors to the public to look around what is a real high-quality care home with so much character.”
Neil Reddington, banking partner at Yorkshire Bank’s Birmingham Business Banking Centre in Temple Row, said The Old Rectory Care Home is a highly impressive facility.
“Mike and Philippa have done a tremendous job to convert what was a redundant building into a top class residential care home,” Neil said.
“The project has created new jobs with more set to follow when the centre is fully occupied, which will not be before too long when people see just how impressive the home is and the stunning location it is set in.
“Yorkshire Bank has worked closely with Mike and Philippa throughout the duration of the project and we are pleased to have helped fund what I am sure will become one of the leading care facilities in Shropshire and the West Midlands.”
