Parklands Care has acquired Craigard Care Group, a portfolio of three care homes on behalf of the joint administrators Graham Smith and Tom MacLennan of FRP Advisory.

Founded in 1996, the three homes: Wakefield House Care Home in Wakefield House in Cullen, Moray; Weston View Care Home in Keith, Aberdeenshire; and Riverside Nursing Home in Aberdeen city, comprise 111 private rooms with en suite facilities across two purpose-built modern homes and a period villa with purpose-built extensions. They provide a range of care services including specialist nursing, dementia, respite and palliative care.

Parklands Care operates a further 10 care homes across Moray and the Highlands.

Riverside Care Home in Aberdeen has been sold to Renaissance Care which operates a further 16 care homes across Scotland, four of which are in Aberdeen. Renaissance took over the management of the home earlier this year.

Ron Taylor, managing director at Parklands, said: “Our formal acquisition of Weston View and Wakefield House ends a period of uncertainty for both homes for the residents, their loved ones and the employees. Since March we have been working with the administrators to secure the long-term future of these homes and I am delighted that they have now been incorporated into the Parklands group.

“Keith and Cullen are very much part of our Moray heartland, and I am pleased that we have been able to come to an agreement that ensures continuity of care for residents, gives peace of mind to relatives and safeguards dozens of local jobs. We look forward to working with the teams at Weston View and Wakefield House to improve care standards and provide a better living environment for residents. Both homes are so important to the communities they serve, and we are determined to elevate them to a higher standard.”

Robert Kilgour, chairman of Renaissance Care, commented: “[Riverside], its residents, and its dedicated staff are invaluable additions to our expanding portfolio. With our commitment to strong leadership, quality care and continuous investment, we are confident in our ability to enhance the environment and living experience at Riverside. Our existing four care homes in the Aberdeen area made Riverside an especially attractive acquisition, aligning with our strategic growth plans and creating peer support networks within the concentrated Aberdeen region.”

Business property advisor Christie & Co facilitated the sale.

Martin Daw, senior director at Christie & Co said: “Having worked for many years with the vendor prior to the administration process, it was evident that the group was one of the many that has, and will, succumb to the ongoing operational pressures that the social care sector is facing. Despite high occupancy, the challenges of recruiting staff meant that the business was crippled under the weight of agency costs and, with utility and food costs also increasing, the business could not survive.

“Despite a poor immediate outlook for the homes, local operators with wider staffing resources and operational synergies felt they could stabilise the trading position. Working closely with FRP, we approached the situation differently from traditional administration disposals. We agreed management contracts and exchanged contracts so that, on the day of administration, the new providers were able to attend the homes and begin operating immediately whilst awaiting re-registration with the Care Inspectorate. This gave comfort to staff that their jobs were secure and comfort to families and residents.”

The homes were sold for an undisclosed price.