Care home in Scotland to close to make way for multi-million pound hotel

A care home in Moray Scotland is to close its doors to make way for the development of a multi-million pound hotel.

The Abbeyside Care Group has revealed that the Whinnybank Residential Home in Lossiemouth will shut due to constraints in converting it for modern needs.

It’s not known when the home will close, while the 13 residents living there are relocated.

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G V Lossie Hotels, owned by Mohamed Ali and Adam Boyd, has submitted plans to Moray Council to convert Whinnybank into bedrooms and a conference room as part of an £2m extension to the neighbouring Skerry Brae Hotel.

Brian Yeats, managing director of Abbeyside Care Group, explained that the company has investigated maintaining the building, but making the requisite adjustments had proved too difficult.

Speaking to Press and Journal, he said: “We are obviously very disappointed we have had to take the decision, but our sector is in the midst of changes which create enormous challenges.

“Given the physical layout of the whole building, the double rooms and lack of individual en-suite facilities and the staffing levels which would likely have to be increased due to the complexities of the care we are now expected to deliver, this has put the home’s future longevity and financial viability into question.”

Residents will be found alternative accommodation within the care group or elsewhere.

All staff will be offered jobs elsewhere in the company, which is planning to invest in its Elgin-based Abbeyvale and Grove care homes.

A spokeswoman for Health and Social Care Moray said: “Members of the social work team will be supporting residents and their relatives to explore their options and identify suitable alternative accommodation.

“We will continue working closely with the Abbeyside Care Group and their staff to ensure the closure of Whinnybank is managed in a sensitive and timely manner to minimise the impact on residents.”