Published: June 10, 2009
Exclusive: Struggling Burnham-On-Sea care home will shut in July

A struggling nursing home on Burnham-On-Sea's seafront is to shut down this summer, it was confirmed by the property's owners this week.

The owners of Beverley Cottage residential care home, situated on the North Esplanade, confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com that the home is to close down in July due to financial pressures.

The decision comes just a few months after we reported that the home was under threat of closure.

Helen Joy, Chief Executive Officer of Brunelcare, explained to Burnham-On-Sea.com: "Following extensive evaluation and consultation with staff, residents and families, the board of trustees at Brunelcare has taken the decision to close two of the charity’s residential care homes: Cowlin House in Clifton and Beverley Cottage in Burnham-On-Sea."

"Beverley Cottage will be closed in mid July. However, the well-being of the residents is of paramount importance and Brunelcare will work closely with residents, their families and social workers, to ensure that the most suitable alternative accommodation is found."

"There are three main reasons for closing the care homes. The first is that the care homes in question are experiencing difficulties in securing permanent new residents."

"This is due to several factors that include the local competition in the Burnham-On-Sea area, and national and local initiatives to enable older people to remain living in their own home for longer."

"The second reason is that Beverley Cottage is experiencing difficulty in securing the required fee levels from residents needed to cover the costs of running the home. Finally, both of the buildings require a significant amount of expenditure to bring them up to modern day standards."

"Although, as a charity, Brunelcare has the funds in place to support areas of the organisation which fail to cover their costs for a limited period (as has been the case with Beverley Cottage for some years), it is of the upmost importance that we use our resources wisely to ensure we continue to provide the highest standards of care, housing and support to all the older people we serve across the South West."

"We will be working closely with the staff involved to ensure that similar positions are made available within the organisation, wherever appropriate. The closure of Beverly Cottage has been a difficult decision to reach, and one that was not made easily or without regret."

"The homes have been part of Brunelcare for many years but I believe that it is in the best interests of Brunelcare and the thousands of older people we serve. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the residents, their families and staff for their continued support and understanding."