Disgust at Abbeyfield Decision

Gideon Amos, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Taunton and Wellington, has called for two sheltered housing schemes to be prevented from closing.

Abbeyfield announced yesterday (Tuesday) that it was shutting The Old Vicarage and Ivy House in Wellington.

The charity met with the elderly tenants of both properties to break the news and Mr Amos was present at Ivy House.

He told Abbeyfield managers he was “horrified” at their announcement of closure of the scheme, and of The Old Vicarage, and demanded the organisation “think again”.

Mr Amos told the meeting: “I’m horrified at what you have just told these residents.

“None of the organisations I have spoken to have any confidence the very limited financial information about the premises stack up.

“The homes are clearly a going concern - why haven’t you tried selling it to another provider for the same one pound you bought it for?”.

The Abbeyfield manager at the Ivy House meeting promised to raise his questions with senior directors and admitted answers were needed.

Afterwards, Mr Amos added: “I feel the same anger that the many long term residents feel.

"They should stay put and have every right to do so and Abbeyfield must be persuaded to drop whatever price they have been asking and try harder to find a new owner.

"I was glad at least to get confirmation at the meeting that Abbeyfield would still be open to discussions about a takeover of the properties but have also been told Wellington Town Council’s offers to help have not been taken up.

"If that’s the case it is shocking and has to change. It’s time people’s homes and peace of mind were put above cold hard cash”.