‘State of the art’ facility to open one year after ‘heart-breaking’ closure

A ‘state of the art’ care home is due to open exactly one year after a ‘heart-breaking’ closure that left more than 70 elderly residents without a home. 

Walton Grove, a specialist facility for those with complex needs on Guido Street in Failsworth, will open in July after extensive renovations.

The building was formerly the Acorn Lodge Nursing home until its shock closure in July 2024. 

Run by Exemplar Health Care, it will now care for around 40 adults living with brain injuries, dementia, mental health conditions, neuro-disabilities and physical disabilities, who would otherwise be confined to a prolonged stay in hospital. 

Sarah McKee, a manager at Exemplar, said: “We have designed this new home with the needs and comfort of future residents in mind.

"It will feature spacious bedrooms, common areas with plenty of natural light, and innovative features – such as kitchen equipment that can change height to support wheelchair users – to promote resident engagement and well-being.

“This project marks a significant investment in the local community, and we look forward to welcoming the first residents to Walton Grove at the end of this year.”

The renovated facility now features a communal dining and living spaces, sensory bathrooms, an activities hub, a therapy room, and a beauty salon, following works by contractor Walter Thompson.

Exemplar plans to hire an in-house physiotherapist and occupational therapist as well as registered nurses and health care assistants. 

Five vacancies are currently listed on the care firm’s website, including a nurse manager and cook. 

Walton Grove will replace the 83-bed Acorn Lodge, which was managed by Oldham Property Investment.

The home was  put up for sale suddenly following ‘financial challenges’ last year. 

Exemplar Health Care, who run 50 care homes including seven in Greater Manchester, clarified at the time they were ‘not involved in the decision to close Acorn Lodge’.

The closure left relatives and residents devastated, with many only finding out from a letter posted on social media.

The decision left families scrambling to find new placements for the 74 elderly residents, many of whom suffered from dementia or were physically vulnerable. 

Oldham Property Investment came under fire by families, who claimed the closure would ‘destroy the lives of a lot of people with dementia’.

The company’s director Matthew Hughes argued the ‘unfortunate decision’ was a result of funding not keeping pace with rising costs

Hughes said at the time: “It was for this reason that we had made the difficult decision to sell the home, before any financial struggles started and whilst we could still ensure the highest quality of service and care. ”

Though new placements were eventually found with the help of council workers, some relatives later shared their loved ones ‘weren’t doing well’ following the move away from the ‘close-knit community’ at the Failsworth home.

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