Care home specialists at Withy King Solicitors have successfully sold Ferfoot Care Home in Chippenham to one of the largest privately-owned care home groups in the UK.

Withy King, which has offices in Marlborough, Swindon, Bath, Trowbridge and London, advised the sellers, husband and wife team Major and Mrs Dick Barton who established Ferfoot Care Home in 1984 for people with dementia.

Withy King advised Major and Mrs Barton on all aspects of the sale, from answering hundreds of due diligence questions from the buyer, to negotiating a Share Purchase Agreement. The firm also advised on the personal and business tax implications, working closely with SHO Chartered Accountants, based in Malmesbury.

The sale has been made to Caring Homes Group which owns and operates care homes caring for over 2,000 older people, younger adults and families. Major and Mrs Barton’s daughter, Tina Novik, will continue to run Ferfoot Care Home on behalf of the new owners.

Katharine Mortimer, partner and Care Homes specialist at Withy King Solicitors, said: “Our clients are often owner-managers with vast experience of running a care home, but understandably little knowledge of the sales process. Our role is to advise them every step of the way, from finding an appropriate buyer to dealing effectively with the regulatory issues unique to the care sector.”

Major Barton, who has now retired from the care home business, said: “Normally, you sell your business only once. Unless you have the experience of the complicated intricacies and legalities of business sales it is essential to be able to put your trust in the hands of a reputable, experienced third party. Withy King were that third party for us and we at no time had any regrets in making that decision.”