Scottish care group calls in administrators

ONE of Scotland’s largest care home companies has gone into administration.

The Aberdeen-based Argus Care Group operates a total of 12 nursing and residential homes throughout Scotland and has more than 780 employees and 500 residents.

The company, which was established 15 years ago, called in the administrators because of what were described as “cash-flow” problems. A search has been launched to find a potential new buyer for the homes under threat.

The Argus Care Home Group, based in Balnagask Road, Aberdeen, has three homes for the elderly in Ayr, two in Aberdeen and care homes in Bishopton, Dunoon, Castle Douglas, Turriff, Oban, Blairgowrie, and Peterhead.

Anne Buchanan, Bryan Jackson and Kerry Bailey, of accountants and business advisers PKF, have been appointed joint administrators.

Ms Bailey said Argus had called in PKF as a result of “general cash-flow difficulties”. But she stressed that the administrators were “confident” of finding new owners for the homes.

She said: “We have already had enquiries.

“We have got operators lined up to come in. It’s absolutely going to be business as usual. There is not going to be any closures or any disruption to care at all.”

Staff and residents have already been informed of developments and assured that a seller was being sought.