Hadrian’s second bid to conquer the North

Aug 30 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A CARE home operator is making a return to the region after selling off its entire North East portfolio two years ago.

Gateshead-based Hadrian Healthcare has acquired a one acre site in Whickham, Gateshead, where it plans to build a care home to help re-establish its presence in the region.

The firm is now looking to create 500 jobs across the North of England, with 60 planned for the new site in Whickham.

The facility is part of a £35m two-year investment programme, which will be used by the firm to rebuild its North East portfolio.

Hadrian was bought out by Midlands-based Avery Health for a seven figure sum in 2006, with its six North East sites in Ponteland, South Shields, North Shields, Murton, Hartlepool and Billingham, taken over.

However, as part of the deal it was agreed that Mr Watson would retain Hadrian’s trading name for use with any future enterprises. He is now planning to build a further home in Gosforth, Newcastle, as part of the ambitious strategy. But the application is being held up as it would involve the demolition of the Royal George pub in Princes Road, Brunton Park.

But the firm has been given the go ahead by Teesdale District Council to build a £6m care centre on the former Richardson Hospital site in Barnard Castle.

Watson said: “While I appear to have been absent form the care market for the last two years, I have been very active behind the scenes acquiring good, accessible sites in the areas that are not particularly well served by current providers.

“I have been working closely with my architect to get developments ready for planning so that they can become fully operational as quickly as possible.”

On a national level, it is continuing the construction of a £3.5m care home in Ashby, Lincolnshire, which will open next month, as well as a 84-bed £5.5m development in Hull.

It has also submitted a planning application for two sites in Leeds, which would provide a further 150 beds and help raise the firm’s profile in the Midlands.

Watson said: “The Hadrian Healthcare brand is synonymous with quality care and is as well regarded for its compassionate, professional staff as for the style and quality of its interiors and facilities.”