A renowned UK-based healthcare provider specialising in operating residential homes in both the West Midlands and the South East of England has appointed administrators and already closed the doors to one of their facilities for the last time. Valuecare Ltd, was founded in 2011 by Jon Allen and Eric Marshall, who identified a gap in the market for smaller, "home-from-home" facilities as an alternative to the large, corporate-style care homes that have become common across the industry.

Up until now, Valuecare Ltd has operated two primary locations, Norton Hall in Worcester and Lathbury Manor in Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes. Both properties are period buildings set within expansive grounds, chosen specifically to maintain a sense of history and comfort for their residents. Norton Hall, located in the village of Norton, boasted 31 rooms and offered long-term nursing care, residential care, respite stays and day care. However, in March this year, it was revealed that Norton Hall would be closing after facing "increasing" financial pressure.

"After many years of caring for older people in our community, we are very sad to share that Norton Hall Nursing Home will be closing in the coming weeks," Mr Allen - a registered nurse - said in a statement shared on the home's Facebook page. "Like many smaller care homes across the country, we have faced increasing financial and operational pressures in recent years.

"Despite our best efforts, it has not been possible to continue operating the home."

Norton Hall was rated 'good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in its most recent inspection, carried out in 2018, according to Worcester News.

Mr Allen added that it had been a "privilege" to provide care to residents over the years and thanked families and staff: "To everyone who has been part of the home over the years, residents, families, staff, professionals and members of the local community, thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives".

The Express contacted Norton Hall for comment and received an automatic reply noting that Norton Manor Care Ltd - Valuecare Ltd's sister company - had permanently ceased operations as of April 14. According to Google Maps, the care home is 'Permanently Closed', while Companies House noted that Norton Manor Care Ltd appointed a voluntary liquidator on May 9.

Lathbury Manor, meanwhile, located in the village of Lathbury near Newport Pagnell, remains open. This smaller facility, with a capacity for up to 29 residents, focuses primarily on residential care, respite care and day care, providing support for older adults with general frailty, dementia, physical disabilities, or learning disabilities. The weekly cost at Lathbury Manor generally starts at £900.

According to a notice published on The London Gazette website on Thursday (May 14), Valuecare Ltd appointed Lee Van Lockwood and James Miller of RSM UK Restructuring Advisory LLP, based in Leeds, as joint administrators on May 7.

The Express has contacted Lathbury Manor for comment.