Ladhar goes for growth

Nov 21 2007 By The Journal

EXCITING plans have been unveiled for new care homes across the north. Building on the success of its five North-East care homes, Newcastle based Ladhar Group is now set to make a significant expansion into Yorkshire with three new care homes, as well as additional plans for the North-East.

Aided by the Newcastle Branch of Allied Irish Bank (GB), the company’s expansion includes the development of a 58-bed nursing home in Rossington, near Doncaster, in June this year and a larger 85-bed facility in Knottingley and Ferrybridge with nursing staff on duty 24 hours a day.

There are also plans for developing care homes in south Doncaster, Barnsley and North Yorkshire.

The group’s latest growth will also encompass the development of a flagship care village comprising 24 self-sufficient flats with amenities designed for senior people looking for a combination of personal care and independence.

The Ladhar Group already has five purpose-built nursing homes in Tyne and Wear, in the Byker and Wallsend areas, and plans further developments in the North-East with a 69-bed nursing home in Downhill, Sunderland.

This particular home will include a four-bedroom facility for people with learning disabilities.

Baldev Ladhar, chief executive of the Ladhar Group, said: “Our venture into Tyne and Wear’s care home sector has been very fruitful as we’ve managed to create facilities that offer a real home for people in their senior years.

“They’re built to a high quality and offer tailored personal care, while also giving people a feeling of independence through the self-sufficient design of each house or apartment.

“And because they’ve become such popular communities here in the North-East, we were keen to develop this side of the business in Yorkshire, too.

“To move forward with our expansion, we needed a bank that is flexible and understands the direction we are taking with our care home division, as well as the direction we are taking with the company as a whole.

“We have seven divisions that each specialise in a different market, including the care home and leisure industry.

“And unlike other banks, Allied Irish Bank (GB) is very supportive of the fact that we’ve branched out into different areas to expand our company, which now extends as far north as Glasgow and as far south as Bournemouth, which makes the company the largest leisure operator in the North-East.

“It’s a strong partnership that stems from the time they’ve taken to understand and link into our company’s ethos.

“Working with the bank has ensured that our latest homes in Yorkshire will be just as successful as our facilities in the North-East.”

Paul Tognarelli, manager of corporate business at Allied Irish Bank (GB) in Newcastle, said: “The Ladhar Group stands out as one of the North-East’s most successful companies – a position it’s achieved by discovering opportunities for growth.

“And this proactive approach continues to propel the company’s expansion.

“We’ve worked hard to understand Ladhar’s goals to allow us to build a close working relationship, which has seen us play a big part in one of the region’s biggest success stories.

“The development of its five North-East care homes is a prime example of how the Ladhar Group has used its expertise to move into new markets and we’re pleased to be helping them replicate this in Yorkshire.”