Community plan to save Sampson Court care home in Kent

Campaigners who opposed the closure of a care home for the elderly in Kent have said they want to take it over and run it themselves.

Kent County Council (KCC) decided to close Sampson Court in Deal earlier this year as part of cost-cutting measures.

Residents have put forward a plan to run the residential care home as a “community interest company”.

KCC said it was “very pleased” to hear of the proposal.

‘Lovely home’

Community Interest Companies (CICs) were set up under the 2006 Companies Act to “operate for the benefit of the community rather than for the benefit of the owners of the company”.

Brian Spencer-Smith, one of the residents behind the plan, said the council would retain the freehold of Sampson Court but rent it to residents at a peppercorn rent.

Peter Lake, the deputy cabinet member for adult social care at the Tory-run KCC, said: “I’m sure we would work closely with those people in taking over any of our homes.

“I am very pleased to hear there are changes in the wind, particularly with Sampson Court. It’s a lovely home.”