Excellent experience start to finish – always very responsive to any queries and the turnaround on the property I was buying was very quick, even in the busy time leading up to stamp duty deadline. Jenny was always very helpful and went above and beyond to close on a short timescale.
Davis Blank Furniss – the Manchester based law firm – has advised its client Step Forward (Nottingham Ltd) on the sale of two specialist care homes in Nottinghamshire to Belle Care Services Ltd for an undisclosed sum.
The homes – Dovetail House in Mansfield, and Devonshire Manor in Nottingham – specialise in the care of young adults with acquired brain injuries. Step Forward, run by family team Margaret Webster and Joanne and Ian Ault, operated the homes on a private basis. Dovetail House offers support for 16 residents, and Devonshire Manor five.
The buyer – Belle Care Services Ltd – is owned by Vini Buldawoo who is a qualified nurse and has over 20 years’ experience in the care sector. Mr Buldawoo said: “I will be working hard to continue the excellent work done by the previous owners, ensuring Dovetail House and Devonshire Manor offer an excellent service.”
The deal was a long and complex process that saw Davis Blank Furniss provide various key legal services for the sellers including; assisting with the due diligence replies, warranties and disclosures, the property and business transfers and providing employment advice.
Andy McNish, partner in the corporate and commercial team at Davis Blank Furniss, Manchester, who led the legal team in the sale commented: “It was a matter involving significant complexity, especially in terms of multiple sites and retention of non-core businesses and properties by the Sellers, and we were very pleased to be able to help to the Sellers to achieve their goals in a timely and efficient manner.
I would also like to take this opportunity to convey my best wishes for the future to the Buyer, the staff and all the residents of the homes.’
Andy concluded; As a Manchester-based business, it was also great to be involved in such a high profile deal outside the North West region. This is a trend we are seeing more and more of and we’ll be actively looking to grow our presence around the UK over the coming months.”
Other Davis Blank Furniss partners involved were; Richard Hamilton (property), Sonio Singh (corporate and tax), and Anna Bunting (employment). Caroline Smith (a trainee in the corporate department also ably assisted Andy McNish in the corporate due diligence and disclosure involved in the case.
The vendors were also advised by Stephen Towne of Towne & Co accountants of Nottingham, with support headed from David Sharp of Pierce Corporate Finance, part of the Pierce Group business advisors and accountants based in Lancashire.
Belle Care Services Ltd, acquiring, was advised by Jan Winstanley of law firm Kuits, and Ian Waddingham of Moore and Smalley Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors.
The deal was funded by Santander, advised by Hill Dickinson.
