WORRIED residents from a Clevedon care home have been told they have just two months to find a new home before theirs closes in November.

Shaw Healthcare, which owns Cherry Orchard Residential Home in Cherry Avenue, is closing the facility as it says more people are opting to stay at home and buy in help.

But residents and their families are distraught at the news and fear many residents may have to move out of Clevedon or into nursing homes and lose their independence.

Julie Baker, whose mother Ethel Haskins, aged 99, has lived at the home for four years, said: “When they announced it would be closing a lot of people were very upset, including the staff. Some residents were crying because they don’t want to move out of Clevedon.

“It’s the only residential home in that part of town so we’re concerned people will have to move to Weston or Portishead or go into a nursing home.

“It will be hard for people who have lived here all their lives to have to move away and if they don’t have family their friends may not be able to visit them. It’s very sad.”

Some of the rooms are also used for people recovering from operations and family members say nursing homes would not be suitable for such patients who just need a little extra support for a short period of time.

Shaw Healthcare spokesman Sean Tregonning said: “Cherry Orchard has noticed a consistent reduction in demand for residential care as the local elderly demographic are opting to stay at home for longer or preferring alternative models of care.

“We considered converting the home to meet the changing needs but the building is just not suitable.” He added that the company has begun a consultation with the 23 residents and their families to find them alternative accommodation or care and to find staff other jobs within the firm.

But ward councillor David Shopland has vowed to fight the closure. He said: “As I understand it, when North Somerset Council handed Cherry Orchard over to Shaw Healthcare we were given a guarantee that it would not close.

“I’m appalled that there’s any suggestion to shut it and feel that we are deserting a lot of elderly people in their time of need.

“I propose to bring it up at the town council and North Somerset Council and endeavour to keep it open.

“Should the home be forced to close I will make every effort to see residents are rehoused in Clevedon where possible.”