Preston’s Little Sisters of the Poor have sold up to a health firm in the city.

The Jeanne Hugan Residence in Garstang Road, Fulwood, has been on the market since summer last year.

Built in the late Victorian period the 39-bedroom care home is to continue as a nursing home.

Spiral Health CIC has taken on the building according to CBRE Manchester who have been marketing the property.

HBS Healthcare have bought the building and Spiral Health will be providing services in the building.

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With offices and services in Wesham, Preston and Bispham it represents an expansion for the social enterprise.

The Little Sisters of the Poor have been a part of the city since 1881 when they started out in Deepdale Road.

The four-acre site as well as having care bedrooms also has 15 staff bedrooms, a chapel, a doctor’s surgery, tea room, common rooms, conservatory and five outbuildings and landscaped gardens.

A spokesman for Spiral Health said: “The team at Spiral Health CIC are incredibly excited to be the operators of Springfield Manor Gardens, formerly Little Sisters of The Poor Preston.

“We are looking forward to becoming an integral part of the Preston community as the Little Sisters have been, and eager to continue the great care and service that they have provided for over 120 years.”

At the time of announcing they would be moving in April last year the Mother Provincial Caroline Emmanuel said: “It is with great sadness and regret that the Little Sisters of the Poor have decided that they will be leaving Preston.

“This has been a very difficult decision for the Sisters, but due to the Community getting older and that there are much fewer Sisters, they now feel that they are unable to continue their mission in Preston.”

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Senior director of specialist markets at CBRE Manchester Shaun Skidmore told The Business Desk: “We are delighted to announce sale of the Jeanne Jugan Residence to the HBS Healthcare. Spiral Health CIC are an established and experience operator who will help to ensure the property continues to operate successfully as a care facility.

“They will build on the excellent reputation of the residence as well as provide investment in the property to further enhance the care and facilities.”

No timescale has been given for when Spiral Healthcare will take on the operation of the nursing home.

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