City care home to close just after Christmas

CHARITY OWNERS SAY THEY CAN’T AFFORD REPAIRS TO THE BUILDING

- CLARE AINSWORTH

A CARE home in Plymouth is to close in the new year with its bosses saying the building has become too expensive to repair.

The Bethany Christian Care Home in Greenbank has been run by the Pilgrims’ Friend Society for more than a decade.

But the Christian organisation says the building is no longer fit for purpose and it cannot afford to pay for the necessary repair.

A spokesman said: “While the care and community at the home remains strong and safe, the costs of maintaining the viability of the building have become unaffordable.

“The implementation of tighter fire regulations in recent years alongside the deterioration of the structure of the external metal staircase means that the costs of repairs, together with the cost of employing fire wardens, exceed the financial viability of the home.

“The building remains safe in the immediate term with fire wardens employed in order to ensure the safety of those who live and work at the home.”