A commercial mortgage from Allica Bank has enabled Ashley Care Group to purchase the Church Farm care home in Hemsby, expanding its portfolio of care homes across Norfolk to five.

Ashley Care Group is a family-owned business that specialises in 24-hour, round-the-clock residential and dementia care, with a portfolio of sites across the county, including the Old Vicarage in Ludham and Ailwyn Hall in Honingham.

The purchase of the 37-room Church Farm care home in the seaside village of Hemsby, secured with Allica’s support, is part of the group’s expansion drive, with plans for future growth in the region.

Owner of Ashley Care Group, Ashley George, who runs the business alongside his wife Ania, said: “I am especially grateful to Allica Bank and their relationship manager, Eugene, for making it so easy to get this over the line. The process only took six weeks, which is fantastic compared to my experience with other banks.

“We’ve got plenty of big plans for the future of the business. We’re still on the lookout for other care homes where we think we can add value, while we continue to invest in our existing homes to upgrade the rooms, improve the gardens, and add even more facilities.”

Eugene Vichare, Ashley Care Group’s relationship manager at Allica Bank, added: “The amount of regulation and intricacies in the care home sector can make these kinds of purchases quite challenging for some banks. However, by working together with Ashley and Ania, we were able to make the process incredibly smooth.

“It’s been brilliant to support Ashley Care Group with this acquisition. Allica Bank has supported them on a number of projects already, and as an established business that’s still keen to grow, we know this one won’t be the last.”

Pictured (L-R): Stuart Gollands, operations manager at Ashley Care Group; Ashley George, owner of Ashley Care Group; Eugene Vichare, relationship manager at Allica Bank and Ania George, finance director at Ashley Care Group/