Hill Barn care home in Norfolk, owned by Richard and Maria Smart since January 2005, has been sold to Ashley Care Group.

The group owns three other Norfolk-based care homes that provide 24-hour residential and dementia care; Ailwyn Hall, Fairland House, and The Old Vicarage.

Hill Barn Care Home is registered for 26 elderly service users and is located in the Norfolk village of Sparham. The business occupies a substantial detached, predominantly single storey, building, the original part of which was a traditional Norfolk barn dating back to the eighteenth century and still retains many period features. The property was extended and converted into a care home in 1986 and then further extended into the building that it is today, which comprises 25 ground floor bedrooms, 21 of which have en suite facilities. Planning permission was passed in October 2018 for the building to be extended to add 11 bedrooms and further day space/care facilities.

Speaking on behalf of Ashley Care Group, operations director, Ania Smith, commented: “We are proud to add this property to our growing portfolio and to welcome all new staff and residents to our company. We have exciting plans for the care home, including a brand new 11-bedroom extension; upgrading the current premises and internal systems and continuing with the homely ethos of the service.”

Robert Mellamphy, director – care at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, added: “The market remained active throughout the pandemic period and, since the second half of 2021, has shown a continued strong upsurge. Many operators are keen to expand, and more investors are turning their sights to care, which they see as a resilient sector providing strong returns.”

Hill Barn was sold for an undisclosed price.