Buyer sought for homes in Northern care home group

A buyer is being sought for eight care homes in the north of England after the parent, the Winnie Care Group, filed for administration.

The family-run company - which is headquartered in Cheshire and has operated residential geriatric care services since the mid-1980s - entered administration this week. Operatives from PFK Accountants and Business Advisers have been appointed as administrators.

PFK was appointed due to their experience in the selling of care homes, having also recently been tasked with finding buyers for specialist care home management companies Leyton Healthcare Group and Althea Healthcare (Management) Limited (Althea). The administrators will also be maintaining the operations of the Winnie homes - which collectively employ more than 250 people - while buyers are found.

A spokesman for PFK said they were optimistic about finding a buyer or buyers and that talks were already underway with some interested parties.

"Steps have been taken to stabilise the trading position and lines of communication have been opened with the relevant regulatory authorities," the spokesman said. "The administrators are committed to ensuring that all care standards are maintained and that all homes remain open."