Copperfield Court care home in Broadstairs opening soon
13:51, 01 February 2024
updated: 14:49, 01 February 2024
A luxury care will open with its own bar, cinema and gourmet food bistro, to give residents “unparalleled comfort”.
Bosses at Copperfield Court in Broadstairs are seeking a highly-trained head chef to craft decadent cuisine at its £1,500 per week complex.
The 67-room home is based on a former Canterbury Christ Church University campus building, next to a proposed site earmarked to house asylum-seeking children.
Residents at the Northwood Road facility - which is set to open in May - will also be able to enjoy an “immersive movie-watching experience” in a cinema room.
The home was built by LNT builders and will be run by Oyster Care Homes.
This facility and three others are opening simultaneously and are the first ventures for Oyster.
CEO Tim Buckley told KentOnline: “A key component of living well is food and nutrition so we will have a really good menu to suit different nutritional needs.
“It is not the classic care home food you would think of.”
Residents will be able to choose from a selection of dishes in the bistro at lunchtime, with smaller meals available at breakfast and dinner.
The new home is neighbours with a site proposed to house unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
Having been announced last month, plans for the potential facility were met with a mixed bag of reaction last month.
Mr Buckley said: “Oyster Care Homes recently became aware of the proposal to use the former student block as one of nine potential Kent homes for unaccompanied asylum-seeking teens.
“We note there is significant local opposition and concern to this change of use, including from MP Craig Mackinlay, who is hugely disappointed due to its proximity to local schools.
“We're dedicated to ensuring that we provide a tranquil, happy, and nurturing environment for our residents, one that enhances their well-being, and therefore we are actively seeking assurances that the peaceful and safe atmosphere of our care home will not be affected, should this proposal go ahead.
“We believe in maintaining a harmonious relationship with the local community and all neighbouring developments.
“We are always open to collaborating with local authorities and community leaders to ensure that the interests and safety of all parties are respected and upheld.”
An application to change the use of Northwood Court from student accommodation has been submitted to Thanet District Council for consideration.
It is part of a Kent County Council scheme to create nine new homes for asylum-seeking youngsters following a high court ruling.
Speaking about Copperfield Court care home, Mr Buckley said they had transformed a parcel of “wasteland” into a “cutting-edge building”.
“There are solar panels to the front of the building, and the home can run off those or off the grid.
“There is also no gas on site - everything is electric.”
The grandest of rooms will set residents back £1,650 a week, he says.
On its website, Oyster Care Home says: “From day-to-day relaxation to special occasions, our state-of-the-art amenities ensure that our residents, friends and families enjoy the quality of life they deserve.
“Here, residents experience unparalleled comfort and the convenience of proximity to a plethora of retail shops and restaurants.
“We offer quiet areas for restful activities, communal spaces for social interaction as well as a cinema, hair salon and bar.”
The home will have a ‘soft opening’ with residents moving in in April before a grand unveiling in May.