AN Old Town care home will be closing down after 60 years because of falling occupancy numbers and a struggle adapting to new Govern-ment regulations.

The Fairhaven Residential Care Home, in Bath Road, which is run by not-for-profit organisation, the Swindon Old People’s Housing Society, is set to shut its doors later this year.

The home can accommodate 18 people but currently only has five permanent residents.

Dwindling numbers have been an issue for Fairhaven, which also provides respite care, as well as increased responsibilities following reforms to Government care legislation which came into force earlier this month.

Reg Bolton, the chairman of Swindon Old People’s Housing Society committee, said: “It is with great regret that the management committee were compelled to make the decision to close Fairhaven.

“Fairhaven was a unique residential home. It was founded as a not-for-profit organisation by a group of local church and business people back in the 1950s.

“Since then it has been managed by a voluntary committee drawn from all walks of life.

“They have worked diligently to ensure that Fairhaven’s residents were provided with a good standard of care.

“For me, it has been a sad experience to oversee the closure, but I know it has also been a sad and traumatic time for the staff who have been made redundant, and for the few remaining residents, who now have to find a new home, and their relatives.”

The home is working to find new accommodation for its residents with the centre expected to close at the end of next month.

Accountancy firm Chantrey Vellacott is helping the committee with the home’s closure.

Chantrey Vellacot spokesmann Adrian Hyde said: “We are investigating a potential sale of the business to continue care services, but realistically this is not possible as the capacity of the building is too small to attract a care provider.

“Unfortunately notice has therefore been given to staff, residents and their families, and Swindon Council that the home will be closing.

“We’re working with the care home to support residents to find new homes ahead of the closure.

“Although cash flow has been a problem, the care home has no debts and a sale of the building could allow the society to provide retirement accommodation within the area in the future.

“The home has had a very good reputation of providing quality care for many years, but unfortunately the home simply cannot continue to support residents without losing money and we’re working with all concerned to make this process as smooth as possible.”

In March, Fairhaven was criticised by the Care Quality Commission after the home failed to meet the adequate standard expected for resident safety through poor medicine management.

Fairhaven’s management said they quickly devised a new policy to address the problem.

This verdict came as part of a surprise inspection which saw the centre pass four of the five marking objectives.