A former care home at the centre of one of Kent’s deadliest Covid outbreaks has been put up for sale for almost £2 million.
Pelham House in Folkestone closed its doors in 2023 after bosses said a “perfect storm of unfortunate circumstances” left the business financially crippled in the years following the pandemic.
Pelham House care home in Folkestone closed in 2023
Now, the 22-bed site in Pelham Gardens is being marketed with “significant scope for redevelopment” – or even the possibility of reopening as a care facility once again.
The home became nationally known during the pandemic after losing 10 of its 20 residents to Covid-19 in just 10 days in May 2020.
Its devastating ordeal later featured in a special edition of Panorama, while former manager Roger Waluube also advised on Channel 4’s critically acclaimed Covid drama Help, starring Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham.
The outbreak at the home began after a 96-year-old resident returned from Ashford’s William Harvey Hospital before receiving a Covid test result.
Seventeen more residents later became infected, while nine staff members – including the manager and a cook – were either self-isolating or had tested positive.
Pelham House care home in Folkestone was run by manager Roger Waluube
In a statement released when the home announced its closure, operators Seacole’s Ltd said the outbreak marked “the beginning of a series of events resulting in the current financial challenges”.
Bosses said continued low occupancy levels, soaring utility bills and the loss of senior staff after the pandemic ultimately forced the care home to shut.
This was despite residents having previously rallied to ensure its survival by raising almost £10,000 to support it in the wake of the pandemic.
Last year, former manager Mr Waluube submitted plans to convert the building into a large HMO in a bid to “bring new life” to the site.
However, the proposal was rejected by planners, who said insufficient evidence had been provided to justify the loss of a care home.
Estate agents marketing the property now say the detached building presents an “increasingly rare opportunity” in one of Folkestone’s most sought-after locations.
Pelham House in Folkestone is up for £1.95 million. Picture: Rightmove
The listing states: “This impressive property offers significant scope for redevelopment, or conversion, subject to the necessary planning consents.
“There is also the possibility that the property could be re-established as a care home.”
Agents say the site has a “sizeable and versatile footprint”, having originally been formed from two detached houses merged into one building.
The property has been listed with an asking price of £1.95 million.