50 acre Lanarkshire retirement village saved from administration - Scottish Business News
After three years in administration, Auchlochan Garden Village in Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire, has been acquired by property and care home operator The Argyll Group. The retirement village, which is home to. . .
After three years in administration, Auchlochan Garden Village in Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire, has been acquired by property and care home operator The Argyll Group. The retirement village, which is home to 245 residents and employs 97 staff, was previously operated by the charity MHA Auchlochan and entered administration in 2023. The Argyll Group, which has more than 30 years’ experience within the property and care sector, previously purchased nearby Bankhouse Care Home in 2024, also formerly owned by MHA Auchlochan. Auchlochan Garden Village is a 50-acre site comprising 235 apartments and cottages and a 78-bed care home, offering residents different options based on their preferences and needs. Almost 50% of the 235 properties on the estate are privately owned, while The Argyll Group will now own the other half to lease or sell. 50% of the properties now owned by The Argyll Group are currently occupied with lease agreements. The village provides a private woodland retreat for residents over the age of 55, with private homes that allow for complete independence, as well as supported living and higher levels of care at home if required. Homeowners and residents benefit from four lochs that are home to a range of wildlife including ducks, geese and swans. Under the new ownership, future investment plans will focus on improvements to onsite amenities including the bistro restaurant, walled garden and greenhouses, event spaces, communal areas and beauty and wellness salons, further enhancing quality of life and strengthening the sense of community across the estate. 78-bed Lower Johnshill Care Home, located at the heart of the estate, currently provides care to 65 residents. As part of the sale, the care home will be renamed Auchlochan House Care Home. The estate has been operated by Blair Milne, James Fennessey and Robert Young, partners with accountancy firm Azets, following their appointment as joint administrators of MHA Auchlochan in 2023. The administration team have been working closely with The Argyll Group since 2024 on the sale of Bankhouse Care Home followed by the sale of Auchlochan Garden Village and Lower Johnshill Care Home. The Argyll Group is a family business that owns and operates two established care homes: the 51-bed Bankhouse Care Home in Lesmahagow and the 50-bed Avonhaugh Nursing Home in Stonehouse. The group, which is led by William McDonald and son Sam McDonald, is renowned across Lanarkshire and Argyll and Bute for transforming care homes, saving facilities from administration and creating thriving homes at the heart of their communities. William McDonald, founding director of The Argyll Group, said: “Auchlochan Garden Village has been an incredibly important part of the local community for many years, and we are proud to secure its future for residents, families and staff. “From the moment we visited the estate, we met homeowners and residents who told us how much they wish they had chosen Auchlochan as their home sooner and we too instantly recognised what a special place it is. It’s a terrific privilege to be the custodians of this quite magical place for the years ahead. “We also recognise the dedication of the staff team, many of whom have remained committed throughout a very challenging period. We are delighted to welcome them into The Argyll Group. ”Sam McDonald, director of The Argyll Group, added: “Auchlochan Garden Village is already one of the UK’s largest villages for residents and homeowners aged 55 and over. Our vision is to become one of Scotland’s leading retirement communities – somewhere that combines independent living, high-quality care and an exceptional environment where residents can enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle. “This deal has been two years in the making and the administration team at Azets has been exceptional throughout the process. We’re delighted to be able to deliver meaningful change across the site and our priority now is to provide stability, invest in the facilities and continue building a vibrant, caring community where residents can enjoy life with the right level of support around them. “We look forward to working closely with residents, families and staff to unlock Auchlochan’s full potential, while welcoming more people to experience life within a beautiful country estate setting. ”Blair Milne, joint administrator and Head of Restructuring and Insolvency in Scotland with Azets, said: “The administrators are delighted to have secured a going concern sale of Auchlochan Garden Village and Lower Johnshill care home after more than three years of continued trading under our control. “A significant effort has been made throughout the administration period to restructure governance of the Village and to prepare the asset for sale. That process has required support from many parties, most notably Methodist Homes Association (the previous operator and majority creditor), the dedicated staff at Auchlochan and Lower Johnshill and of course the resident community and their families. A tremendous amount of work has necessarily gone into protecting the future of the Village over the last three years and the administrators are delighted to have achieved a successful outcome. “It has been a pleasure working with the purchasers over the past two years or so, initially on their acquisition of Bankhouse care home and more recently on the sale of Auchlochan Garden Village and Lower Johnshill. We now wish Willie, Sam and everyone connected with The Argyll Group the very best for the future success of the Village”. Maureen Douglas, who has lived at Auchlochan Garden Village for more than 20 years and is one of its longest-standing residents, commented: “The last three years have been difficult for everyone in the village, as we faced uncertainty about our future and how long our community could continue. “We believe our village is one of the most beautiful places anyone could choose to live, and we are all delighted that The Argyll Group is taking over. It gives us the opportunity to build on our closeknit community. ”Previously operated by MHA Auchlochan, the estate was run in accordance with Methodist values and practices. Under the new ownership of The Argyll Group, Auchlochan Retirement Village will operate as a non-denominational community. To find out more about Auchlochan Garden Village and The Argyll Group, visittheargyllgroup. co. uk. Left to Right: Sam McDonald and Willie McDonald, new owners of Auchlochan Garden Village.