The sudden closure of a long-established Norfolk care home has left vulnerable residents and their families facing a race against time to secure alternative accommodation. Cresta Lodge in Poringland, operated by Swan & Cygnet Care, has announced it will shut its doors permanently after two decades of service, citing severe economic pressures as the primary reason for the decision.
Seven-Week Notice for Vulnerable Residents
In a move that has caused significant distress, the twenty current residents of Cresta Lodge have been informed they must vacate the premises by March 20th, providing them with a mere seven weeks to find suitable new living arrangements. The home specialises in caring for adults over the age of sixty-five, including those living with dementia, making the search for appropriate alternative placements particularly challenging.
Economic Pressures Force Closure
Robert Blackham, director of Swan & Cygnet Care, communicated the difficult news directly to families via a formal letter. In his correspondence, Mr Blackham explicitly pointed to ongoing economic pressures within the care sector as the driving factor behind the closure. This development highlights the broader financial strains facing residential care providers across the region, with rising operational costs and funding challenges creating unsustainable business models for some facilities.
Future Plans for the Site
The closure of the current facility is not the end for the Cresta Lodge site. Planning permission was secured back in 2022 to completely redevelop the location into a modern care village. The ambitious new development is slated to include:
- A new 41-bed care home facility
- Ten one-bedroom extra care apartments
- Over forty retirement bungalows
- Community amenities including a salon, shop, restaurant, bistro, and bar
This future vision, however, offers little immediate solace to the current residents who must now navigate the stressful process of relocation.
Transition Support Promised
In his statement, Mr Blackham emphasised that the company's priority remains ensuring all residents are supported through this transition with care, dignity and compassion. He confirmed that Swan & Cygnet Care is working closely with affected families, staff members, and relevant partner organisations to establish appropriate arrangements for each individual. The company has also reassured the community that its three other care homes in Norfolk – The Moorings in Earsham, Manor House and Lodge in Blofield, and Dell House in Beccles – will continue to operate as normal.
Families Face Accommodation Search
Relatives of Cresta Lodge residents are now urgently searching for alternative accommodation options, a task complicated by the specialised care needs of many residents and the limited availability of suitable places within the local care system. The short notice period has intensified the pressure on families during what is already an emotionally difficult time, raising questions about the adequacy of support for vulnerable individuals during such transitions.
