ANTICIPATION is building ahead of the reopening of a Swanage care home that shut suddenly amid a wave of protest two years ago.

James Day Care Home will officially reopen as the redeveloped Gainsborough Care Home, run by Agincare, on November 9.

South Dorset MP Richard Drax and Agincare bosses will attended the grand opening.

When the James Day home closed, in January 2010, more than 20 residents had to be re-homed at short notice, leading to a barrage of protest from affected families.

In the aftermath, a joint planning group including NHS representatives, Purbeck District Council, Dorset County Council, elderly care charities and Swanage Town Council, pledged to ensure the site would continue to be used for elderly care.

The new home offers residential care to older people, including those with dementia.

Agincare chief executive Raina Summerson told the Daily Echo: “The site operated as a care home for more than 20 years before closing down due to the termination of the lease agreement between Dorset County Council and the incumbent provider.

“The care operation was closed and the building deregistered circa March 2010. Agincare Homes Holdings have now invested in the redevelopment and refurbishment of the home for use as a care home for older people.”

This month’s opening is just phase one of the project, which includes 23 bedrooms spread over two floors. However, eventually the home will offer 45 residential places for both private and council funded clients.

County council adult social care cabinet member Andrew Cattaway said: “We are pleased that we now have a positive solution for residential care for people in Swanage that takes into account the growth of the older population and the shortage of existing care homes.”