Care Market Insight: South of England

What’s on the market?

There are a variety of care homes up for sale in the South of England – from smaller homes registered for 12 to homes registered for 60, and a mix of converted and purpose-built properties, the latter of which is in short supply and high demand.

As is the case in many regions of the UK, there is a shortage of quality care homes on the market. We continue to feel the effects of the pandemic, and many operators are still waiting for trading performance to fully recover before selling. We continue to see genuine retirement sales as well.

Who’s buying?

Since the pandemic, it has very much been a sellers’ market, with considerable pent-up demand from a wide range of buyer groups. Appetite for care businesses across the South remains strong, particularly from those looking for 30 to 40 bed opportunities and for specialist care homes.

Closed care homes are also highly sought-after, with many regional operators buying smaller homes and turning them into specialist operational businesses, and local residential developers looking for homes that are no longer fit for purpose which they can convert into flats.

Domiciliary care businesses are in demand from a range of buyers, with existing operators looking to broaden their portfolios and geographical coverage.

To find out more about the care market in the South of England, or for a confidential chat about your business, contact Charles Phillips: charles.phillips@christie.com / 07764 241346