First look: New care home Dell House officially opens in Beccles

Three years after work began on a new care home for Beccles, Dell House has officially opened its doors.

Based on the former site of The Dell, on Nelson Way, the new 60-bed care home hosts a spa, cinema room and several communal spaces for residents.

The multi-million pound project by Cygnet Care welcomed guests to tour the new development on Friday (March, 22).

Director Robert Blackham said: “It really is a very proud moment that has been three years in the making. This is a really big day. We are a small service and only have three other homes in the area so for us to open this is massive for us.

“We spent a lot of time on the plans to make sure we got it right and make sure any mistakes we made on previous projects have been ironed out this time.

“When you look at the finishing touches it really has surpassed what we thought it would be like.”

The home has a particular significance for the brother and sister ran care company, with fellow director Sally Crawford spending several years as a carer at The Dell.

She said: “It is a really proud moment for us and for me because this is where it all started.

“Being a carer is such a hard job and having a home like this will make it that little bit easier for them, and we want to make it a lovely place for our residents too.

“Hopefully we have created a really super building for the future.”

Mr Blackham said: “We wanted to give it a communal feel downstairs so as soon as you walk into the reception area there is a spa room where you can have your hands manicured or your hair done or a massage. There’s also a café which has a lovely feel and the doors, like they do with all of the rooms on the ground floor, open straight out into the garden.

“It was really important for us to give residents that connection with the outside.

“It was also important that none of the hallways have deadends. There are communal rooms and destinations to go to.

“Upstairs we have another dining area and lounge area as well as our cinema. In terms of space there is plenty for residents to really spread out and have an area they can call their home.”

The new development was hailed by Beccles mayor Elfrede Brambley-Crawshaw, who officially opened Dell House.

She said: “This is an amazing facility and I am really impressed with the layout, as well as the café and hairdressers.

“It is full of different areas to allow the residents to carry on doing the things they enjoy and want.

“This isn’t the end of something, it is the beginning, and it is great to have this in Beccles.

“The residents and their relatives will really enjoy these spaces and find it very welcoming, especially for children.”