A care home near Dorchester is to re-open following a £2m refurbishment in a move that is creating up to 100 jobs.

Selwood House Care Home will officially launch on Saturday, September 2 following a full refurbishment and update by the new operator.

The site, at Chestnut Road, Charlton Down, was previously Chestnut House Nursing Home which closed last year.

The home was sold to operator Country Court which has been undertaking a major refurbishment including extending the property.

The Echo reported in 2021 how Chestnut House had failed five consecutive inspections and was branded ‘inadequate’ by a government health watchdog.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors raised serious concerns in a scathing report following an inspection.

At the time, the property was run by Future Care Group - also known as London Residential Healthcare Limited.

It said staff were continuing to work tirelessly through the pandemic and the home was being supported by the management team to address any concerns raised.

Dorset Council confirmed to the Echo that the home closed last June and was sold.

Now it's a new era for the site under new operators who have renamed the property Selwood House Care Home and undertaken a lot of work.

The new facility, which will provide care for up to 84 residents, will feature its own in-house pub, café, cinema, hair salon and luxurious lounge and dining areas.

The award-winning operator Country Court has 36 care and nursing homes across the UK with a 40-year track record of providing residential and specialist dementia care.

Selwood House will be opening its doors and inviting local people to see the refurbishment at their open day on Saturday, September 2 from 10am-4pm.

There will be an opportunity to take a tour of the home, meet the care team and sample the menus.

Rosie Hanmer, Home Manager at Selwood House Care Home, said: "We look forward to welcoming everyone to our open day on September 2.

"We are very excited to show people what a fantastic asset the new home will be for the village of Charlton Down and the surrounding areas.

"We are forming great relationships with local groups including the Volunteer Centre in Dorset and local churches; the new home will give us a refreshed space and a fantastic venue to invite more community groups to join our residents for events."

She added: "The renovation and upgrade of Selwood House will bring a new standard of care into the local area, offering the highest standards of residential and dementia care in a homely environment.

"This refurbishment will allow for up to 100 new jobs with a highly trained care team that will be on hand to provide person-centred care 24 hours a day.

"Together with round-the-clock hospitality and a daily fine-dining menu, Selwood House Care Home will be a wonderful addition to Charlton Down and the surrounding areas."