WINCANTON residents are being offered a sneak peek at a refurbished £10 million care home development.

The state-of-the-art Bupa facility, named The Bridles, is in Dykes Way and will welcome the community in for a look around during an open weekend, running across March 7 and 8.

Visitors can enjoy a glass of bubbly and homemade cakes, as well as exploring the show suite and facilities via guided tours, and see the advanced care and luxury lifestyle services residents will be able to enjoy, the firm said.

The open weekend will also provide an opportunity to meet the Bridles team, including recently-appointed home manager Ray Arnold.

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Ray has 20 years’ experience in the care industry and has transferred from Dean Wood Bupa Care Home, which has a rating of 9.9 on carehome.co.uk.

“Now that our show suite is open, we are looking forward to opening our doors to the Wincanton community,” he said.

“There has been lots of interest already, so this is a great chance for people to come and see for themselves what makes the facilities so special.

“I’m personally looking forward to meeting prospective residents and their families and answer any questions they may have.”

The Bridles, in Wincanton, boasts two restaurants, a bar, cafe, and more

The 72-room site has had a troubled life. Built amid the Covid pandemic, work ground to a halt in 2022 after the collapse of construction firm, Midas.

It was opened by previous owner, Cornerstone Healthcare, but only ever welcomed a handful of patients.

Now, it has been given an overhaul by Bupa, and the new manager said doors would officially open in the coming months.

“We’re making great progress on site and are excited to see doors open officially in a few months’ time,” he added.

“We’ve also been busy recruiting and building a highly skilled care team, who are extremely passionate about providing the best possible care.

“It’s brilliant to see all our opening plans coming together.”

The Bridles, Wincanton, features 72 en-suite rooms

Work in the next few months will see the installation of “quality furnishings, fixtures and fittings and state-of-the-art equipment to support the needs of residents”, the company said.

As well as 72 en-suite rooms, The Bridles boasts two restaurants, a bar, café, hair salon, therapy room, lounges and a home cinema and will provide nursing, residential and specialist dementia care.

The open weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, will be open from 10am to 4pm. For more information about living at The Bridles, visit www.bupa.co.uk/the-bridles.

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