A Whittlesey care home which closed down last year for its failings is up for sale.  

The Elms, in Arnold Lane, is currently listed on Rightmove with an asking price of £900,000 for the freehold.  

The home closed down in November 2022, just before it was rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).     

The marketing brochure by real estate agency Christie and Co based in Ipswich describes the building as a “period detached property” which is “set in attractive gardens”.  

Its pictures show rooms with limited equipment and furniture.  

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The brochure says: “This is an excellent opportunity for someone to acquire a large detached period property set in attractive gardens of just under an acre situated close to the town centre.  

“It is suitable for continued care use within Class C2, or alternate uses on a [subject to planning permission] basis.” 

When describing the building, it says: “This closed nursing home comprises a period detached property which has been extended over the years with a number of purpose-built extensions and is set in attractive gardens with an inner courtyard.” 

The entire site is just under an acre and residents’ accommodation is arranged over two floors.  

The ground floor has 17 bedrooms, 11 of which are ensuite. It also has lounges, offices, a dining room, a meeting room as well as kitchen and laundry facilities. 

A lift offers access to the first floor which has 16 bedrooms, 10 with ensuite facilities. This floor also has its own lounge, a treatment room and the home’s hair salon.  

There are gardens at the side and rear of the property and “ample parking” at the front.  

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The brochure advises “the home will be sold on a vacant possession basis” and potential buyers should advise if their “offer is conditional upon any equipment remaining”.  

It says: “The home will be sold vacant possession and on an asset sale basis, given this pre-completion liabilities, supplier/maintenance/ utility contracts will not transfer.” 

The Elms’ registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will also not transfer with the sale.  

A spokesperson for HC-One said: “We can confirm that we are continuing to market the property for sale.  

“At this point we do not know who the purchaser will be or what their intentions will be for the future of the property.” 

Before The Elms closed, Cambridgeshire County Council suspended admissions to all homes operated by the care provider HC-One. The suspension still remains in place.  

As the inquests of former residents take place, families have also shared their concerns about the care their loved ones received at The Elms.  

HC-One's website currently lists three care homes in Cambridgeshire.  

These are: The Gables Care Home, in Eastrea, near Whittlesey; The Red House Care Home, in Ramsey, near Huntingdon; and The Cambridge Care Home in Chesterton. 

The closure of Manor House care home in Upwood, near Huntingdon, was announced at the same time as The Elms.     

Issues with staff shortages and retention were cited as reasons for the closure of Manor House.