A CARE home in Fairford has been left reeling after a building company near Bristol collapsed earlier this month owing £3m to firms in its supply chain.

Hyperion House, which is owned by Diva Care Limited, has been left £200,000 out of pocket after Helm Construction in Severn Bridge went into receivership on December 3.

However, the owners of the care home are feeling upbeat and optimistic that they can overcome current difficulties.

The care home, which had used Helm Construction to build a 31-bed new build and refurbish its existing premises, will have to settle debts that the firm did not paid to their subcontractors.

Director of Hyperion House, Tanya Shukla, said: “Building work began last November and was due for completion on January 17 2019 but because the building firm were having significant problems there has been a delay.

“Now that they have collapsed we will have to pay £200,000 to pay off the subcontractors. The refurbishment is still on track but the new build will be delayed until June 2019.”

She added: “We are feeling optimistic despite these problems. We have a plan but it is going to be a lot more expensive.”

The care home is in the process of choosing a new building firm to complete the work.

“There has been a ripple effect to this. A local small tiling company supplied us with thousands of pounds of tiles, but Helm didn’t pay them so they have had to take them back. We will now have to find the money to buy the tiles again,” Tanya said.

Hyperion has remained fully staffed and at full capacity throughout the process. “The staff have been really patient and have been brilliant. There has been no disruption to residents. We are feeling very positive,” she said.

Founder member of the Fairford & Lechlade Business Club Chris Roberts called on the community to rally round the care home. She said: “Since taking over the Hyperion House Care Home, Diva Care has considerably improved standards at the home, for the residents there and the staff. 
“Diva Care has been very supportive of community events and initiatives and I think now is the time for the community to support the Hyperion with sympathy, understanding and help if needed." 

According to a report by the BBC, the administrators said: "A number of interested parties have engaged with the administrators regarding acquiring the business, or some of its key contracts, but no sale has been concluded, as yet.

"The Joint administrators are continuing to engage in discussions."