Viridian Housing, advised by Savills, has successfully sold five purpose built care homes comprising 221 beds and negotiated the transfer of management contracts relating to a further three purpose built homes with over 80 beds collectively to Gold Care Holdings. 

Three of the properties sold are located in London - Alan Morkill House in Ladbrook Grove, Burrows House in Bromley and Peregrine Court in South Tottenham - while the other two are situated in Birmingham with Lucton House in Rowheath and Manor House care home in Kingstanding. The properties that Gold Care Holdings has acquired the management contracts for are all situated in London at Sir Jules Thorn Court, Wood House and Abbey Road.

In April 2011 Viridian announced its decision to exit from the direct provision of care services for older people in order to focus on its housing services. Viridian manages 16,000 homes across the UK, and will continue to manage its supported and retirement housing schemes.

Matt Campion, director for social impact at Viridian Housing, comments: "We recognise how valuable and important care home services are both to the individuals that receive them and to the well-being of our society in general. However, care has been a relatively small part of our business and our strategic direction involves increasing the focus of our business on fewer activities.

Craig Woollam, head of healthcare at Savills, adds: "This is a positive outcome for Viridian Housing.  It is equally encouraging for residents and staff who will benefit from the transfer to Gold Care, whose primary focus is in the operation of quality care. Our objective was to secure an operator with a strong track record and long term commitment to care whilst achieving the best consideration and we believe this has been achieved.

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