Residents and staff at one closure threatened Bield care home are celebrating it being bought over by a local private company

The residents of a closure threatened Bield care home will not have to find a new place to live after a private company agreed to take it over.

Kingdom Homes Ltd has bought Finavon Court in Glenrothes, Fife in a deal that means the residents seamlessly transfer over to the new owner, with very few changes.

In addition, it has been confirmed that all existing staff will keep their jobs.

Last year, housing association Bield announced 12 of its care homes across Scotland were to close.

Charlie Dickson, director of housing and care services at Bield, said: “It’s extremely pleasing that we’ve been able to strike an agreement with such a reputable care provider which has many other care homes throughout Fife.

“The deal ensures that high quality care is still provided to existing service users with no need for upheaval or disruption and also safeguards the jobs of staff.”

Colin Smart, managing director at Kingdom Homes Ltd, said: “From the moment we first visited the home and met with the staff and residents we knew that Finavon Court could not be allowed to close and thus we worked tirelessly with Bield to come to an agreement to allow Kingdom Homes to takeover and ensure the continuation of the service.”

Bield announced the care homes closures due to a change in strategic direction and ongoing financial pressures.

The organisation said the decision to withdraw from the residential care home market was a last resort option for Bield and one that if not taken, would have compromised the vital work it does to support and care for thousands of older people across Scotland.

Eight of the 10 planned closures have now taken place and Bield is in the process of transferring the other three to alternative providers.