Bond UK Limited, which through its trading company Castlegrounds Limited owns and operates Red Court Care Home and The Grove Care Home in Leeds, has been sold.
Red Court was established by Royston Bond in 1984 and was one of the first care homes in Leeds. The Grove is a purpose-built facility from 2017 that has 63 en suite bedrooms and complements the adjoining Red Court. Together, they are registered to care for 101 residents and are located in the Leeds market town of Pudsey.
After over 40 years of ownership, Royston Bond recently decided to retire. Following a confidential sales process with Jonathan Wickens at Christie & Co, Bond UK Limited has been purchased by Warmest Welcome, a family-run operator led by directors Steve and Tracey Holroyd, with eight other homes across West and North Yorkshire.
Royston Bond, the founding director of Bond UK Limited, said: “Having reached my early 80s, it seemed that the time had arrived to retire, but it was not an easy decision to make, having devoted 40 years of my working life to this company. However, it would not have been possible without the support of my manager, Michaela Wadsworth.
“I started the company in partnership with Michaela’s mother, Clare Spooner. Sadly, Clare passed away 20 years ago. Whilst Clare was managing another care home that the company had at that time, Michaela became the manager of Red Court in 1988 and has been the manager ever since.
“Michaela is now very experienced, and what she does not know about the care industry could be written on the back of the proverbial postage stamp. Michaela has been ‘my rock’ over many years, and the success of the company has been very much a joint effort.
“Yes, I am sad to say ‘goodbye’ to the care homes and our wonderful staff. However, I am assured that the company will be in the safe and capable hands of the new owners. I wish Tracey and Steve every success, as I say farewell to start a new chapter in my life.”
Tracey Holroyd, director at Warmest Welcome, said: “We are delighted to have taken over ownership of Red Court and The Grove. Previously, we have taken over care homes that have needed some work to bring them up to standard, and we’re delighted to be able to say that Red Court and The Grove are the opposite of that!
“We plan to make no changes to the way the home is run and managed, and there are no plans to change any of the staff team. We’re delighted that the current manager, Michaela, is going to stay with us and are really impressed with the way the home is run – it’s a lovely home in every way and is rated ‘Good’ in all areas with CQC.
“We think that Red Court and The Grove are great – we’re delighted to be able to add them to our group, and we’re looking forward to working with everyone. Our only plans for the future are to introduce some digital solutions to make life easier for all the staff and better for the residents.”
Jonathan Wickens, director – care at Christie & Co, said: “It has been a privilege working with Royston Bond over the last 20 years. We have now sold three homes on his behalf, and we wish him a long, happy, and healthy retirement.
“This is the eighth home we have sold to Warmest Welcome over the years – it is always a pleasure to work with Steve and Tracey, and we are sure they will continue to deliver the high standards of care to residents at Red Court and The Grove.”
